Plant Profile
Rotala H'ra is a sought-after aquatic stem plant hailing from the Gia Lai province in the central highlands of Vietnam. A distinct geographic variant of Rotala rotundifolia, it's known for profuse, narrow, pointed foliage and a growth habit with a mind of its own: instead of growing politely upright like most stem plants, it overhangs, arches, and branches horizontally, doing its own thing. Under high-intensity lighting, pressurized CO2, and tuned fertilization, its foliage transforms into a breathtaking palette of fiery orange, salmon, and deep ruby-red, making it a stellar pick for sweeping midground bushes or dramatic background slopes.
*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
- Thin, pointed leaves develop vivid salmon, fiery orange, and intense red tones under high-tech aquarium conditions.
- Unique cascading and arching growth habit naturally forms lush, overhanging bushes.
Care & Planting Instructions
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Remove lead weight and 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 (20–30 ppm); combining strong light with regular iron dosing yields the deepest fiery red and orange coloration. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants.
- Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden parameter swings to prevent stem melting or rotting.
- Trim stem tops or side shoots with curved scissors once they reach the desired height, and replant trimmings directly into substrate to propagate and expand coverage. 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 'H'ra' (syn. Rotala sp. 'Gia Lai') |
| Common Name(s) |
Rotala H'ra, Rotala Gia Lai, Rotala Hra |
| Family |
Lythraceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy |
Stem Plant |
| Care Difficulty |
Easy to Moderate |
| Light Requirement |
High |
| CO2 Requirement |
20–30 ppm (Essential for intense red/orange coloration) |
| Placement / Usage |
Midground / Background Bushing |
| Height / Size |
4–8”+ |
| Growth Rate |
Medium to Fast |
| Water Parameters |
pH 6.5–7.5 |
| Propagation Method |
Cuttings (Cut stem, side shoots, or axial roots) |
| Origin |
Vietnam (Gia Lai Province) |
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 H'ra to display fiery red and orange colors?
Achieving deep orange and red hues on Rotala H'ra requires high light intensity, mandatory pressurized CO2 injection (20–30 ppm), low-to-moderate water column nitrates, and regular micronutrient dosing with liquid iron. Under low light, the foliage will remain predominantly green.
3. How do I transition Rotala H'Ra from emersed to submerged growth?
When transitioning from emersed to submerged growth, plant bare stems securely into rich substrate under medium-to-high lighting and keep water parameters stable. As new growth adapts, the plant will shed its thicker land leaves and sprout colorful, delicate underwater foliage. Once new shoots develop, trim away old lower growth to encourage branching.
