Rotala Rotundifolia Red

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Red Rotala

Synonyms

Rotala indica 'Green'

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

India, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, China

Habitat

Shallow, slow-moving freshwater such as rice paddies, marshes, and ditches, growing both submersed and emersed along damp banks.

Sourcing

Both

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Stem

Max height

4 – 16 in (10 – 41 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

2 – 15 dGH

dKH

0 – 14 dKH

PAR

30 – 80 PAR

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Suits background planting in high-tech, nutrient-dosed tanks where strong lighting and iron supplementation bring out the reddish tones the plant is grown for. Thin leaves on delicate stems form dense clusters that set off dark hardscape and neighboring greenery. Under weaker light the stems stretch and lose much of their color.

Care

This green form of Rotala rotundifolia is one of the more forgiving stem plants, tolerating a wide range of pH and hardness once established. It grows fastest under medium to high light with supplemental CO2, but will still do reasonably well in a low-tech setup, just more slowly and with a looser stem structure. Regular trimming keeps the stand dense and bushy rather than tall and leggy, and side stems branch readily after each cut.

Planting & trimming

Plant stem cuttings in groups, pushing them an inch or two into the substrate with the lower leaves stripped so the bare stem anchors cleanly without rotting. Space stems a couple of inches apart to let light reach lower foliage, and trim the tops once they near the surface to encourage lateral branching and a fuller hedge. Cuttings root within about a week and can be replanted directly to fill in gaps.

Fertilizing

Feeds mainly through the water column but also draws nutrients through adventitious roots at the stem nodes, so a nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs help support denser growth. Regular liquid fertilizing with nitrogen, potassium, and trace elements including iron keeps the foliage a healthy bright green rather than pale or yellowing. Because this variety does not color up with reduced nitrogen the way red rotalas do, nutrient levels can be kept generous without sacrificing its appearance.

Propagation

Propagated by cutting the tops or lateral side shoots and replanting them directly into substrate, where they root within roughly five to seven days. Routine trimming both propagates the plant and maintains a compact, bushy shape rather than allowing tall, sparse stems to reach the surface.

Problems

New stems can show minor melt or lower leaf drop after planting or shipping, especially when transitioning from emersed nursery growth to submerged conditions, but this typically resolves as new growth appears. Stagnant, low-light conditions can lead to leggy stems with sparse foliage and increased susceptibility to algae on older leaves. Consistent parameters and avoidance of sudden swings in lighting or CO2 reduce stress-related leaf loss.

Sources

1. Rotala rotundifolia 'Green' Aquatic Plant Care | Atlarium
2. Rotala: Rotala Indica Green
3. Rotala rotundifolia 'Green'
4. Rotala Indica Green (Rotala rotundifolia 'Green') - Stem Plant

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