Rotala Rotundifolia Red
Plant Profile
Rotala Rotundifolia Red is the quintessential background flex for a reason. Originating from Southeast Asia, this fan-favorite stem plant sports delicate stems and thin leaves that make dark hardscape and green foliage look ten times better. When planted in dense groups and provided with strong lighting, nutrient-rich soil, and iron supplementation, Rotala Rotundifolia Red transforms into a dazzling, thick red bush in your aquascape.
*Form Notice: Photos display this plant in both its emersed (above-water) and submerged forms. Depending on nursery availability and seasonality, you may receive this plant in either form. Learn more about what to expect by reading our guide on Emersed vs. Submerged-Grown Aquatic Plants.
Key Features & Benefits
- Leaf hues shift into intense ruby-red tones when provided with high-intensity LED lighting, heavy iron dosing, and complete fertilizers.
- Fast-growing stem structure easily forms dense background bushes and absorbs excess water column nutrients to help suppress algae.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Remove lead weight and remove cotton wrap (or foam) surrounding the base, then strip the lower inch of foliage so bare stems anchor cleanly into soil without rotting. *Rotala has fragile leaves, so handle stems with care during preparation.
- Use fine-tip pinsettes to push individual stems 1 to 2 inches into soil, spacing them about half an inch apart to ensure light reaches lower foliage.
- Provide high-intensity lighting and pressurized CO2 injection (20–30 ppm) to yield robust growth and maximize red pigmentation. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants.
- Maintain stable water parameters and avoid drastic environmental changes to prevent leaf melt or rotting.
- Trim stem tops with straight scissors once they reach the surface to promote branching and prevent lower leaves from being shaded out. Read our trimming & propagation guide for details.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rotala rotundifolia 'Red' |
| Common Name(s) | Rotala Rotundifolia Red, Rotala Red |
| Family | Lythraceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Stem Plant |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | High |
| CO2 Requirement | Recommended (20–30 ppm for best color) |
| Placement / Usage | Background / Midground Bushing |
| Height / Size | 4–8”+ |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.5–7.5 |
| Propagation Method | Cuttings (Cut stem and replant tops) |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are the lower leaves falling off my stem plants?
Lower leaf loss (leggy stems) usually occurs when lighting cannot reach the bottom of the plant due to overcrowding or shading from larger plants. Spacing individual stems slightly apart during initial planting and maintaining strong light penetration will keep lower leaves healthy.
2. How do I get my Rotala Rotundifolia Red to reach its maximum color potential?
High light intensity, pressurized CO2 injection, and regular dosing of iron and micro-nutrients trigger Rotala species to produce rich anthocyanin pigments, turning their foliage vivid red or pink.
3. My stem plants arrived with round green leaves, but the new growth looks totally different. Is this normal?
Yes! Many aquatic stem plants are cultivated emersed (above water) at plant nurseries, producing rounder, thicker green leaves. Once submerged in your aquarium, the plant will transition into its true aquatic form, sprouting delicate, colorful submerged foliage.