Rotala macrandra

Description

Rotala macrandra is an aquatic stem plant from Southeast Asia known for its vibrant red and pink coloration, which intensifies under high light and CO₂ conditions. It has upright growth, with varieties like “Narrow Leaf” featuring long, narrow leaves and others like “Green” or “Mini Gold” with rounder, more compact leaves

Care & Cultivation

Lighting:

High-intensity light is essential for achieving vivid coloration.

CO₂:

Strongly recommended or nearly essential for healthy growth and strong red colours.

Substrate:

Nutrient-rich substrate, such as aquasoil, or inert substrate with root tabs, is necessary for good growth.

Water Parameters:

Soft water is preferred, with a pH of 5.5–7.0 and a temperature of 22–28°C (72-82°F).

Maintenance:

Regularly trimming the tops of the stems encourages bushier growth and helps maintain density.

Aqua scaping Uses

Excellent for providing points of intense colour contrast against green or lighter-toned plants.

Ideal for Dutch-style aquariums, where it creates cascading “streets” of colour.

Suitable as a background or midground focal plant to add texture and visual interest.