About the species

Rotala macrandra is an Asian stem plant with large, wavy leaves in a vivid red to pink tone. It counts as one of the hobby's most beautiful red plants and at the same time one of the most demanding. The stems reach 20–30 centimetres or more, and the colour only develops in very strong light, with added CO₂ and in soft water.

Facts

• Latin name: Rotala macrandra
• Plant type: Stem plant
• Origin: Asia
• Height: 20–30 cm
• Growth rate: Medium
• Position: Background

Light requirement

High light requirement. It wants a strong light unit and a clear view of the surface — shaded by taller plants it quickly loses its lower leaves. Strong lighting also demands that CO₂ and nutrients stay in balance, otherwise algae take over.

CO₂ & nutrition

Requires injected CO₂ at roughly 15–25 mg/l to grow properly. Without CO₂ it stalls, drops its lower leaves and quickly becomes a foothold for algae. Fertilise daily or every other day with both macro- and micronutrients.

Planting

Split the bunch and set the stems one by one, about two centimetres into the substrate and two to three centimetres apart. Removing the lowest leaves first stops them rotting in the substrate. A group of five to ten stems looks far better straight away than single plants.

Rinse all the gel off in lukewarm water before planting, otherwise it can cause bacterial cloudiness. The cup holds many small plants — divide them up and plant them in several portions.

Care & propagation

Top the plant when it reaches the height you want and replant the cuttings — that propagates it and gives a denser group at the same time. Trim regularly so light reaches the lower leaves, and discard the old lower sections once they start thinning out.

Position in the aquarium

Given its mature height it belongs at the back or along the sides, where it forms a dense wall of greenery and hides equipment. In a smaller aquarium it can also be used as a solitaire in one corner.

Difficulty level

🔴 Advanced — requires strong lighting, added CO₂ and careful fertilisation.

Delivery format

Delivered as 1-2-Grow! — a laboratory-grown cup holding many small plants in nutrient gel. Because the plant is cultivated in vitro it is completely free of snails, algae, planaria and pesticides, which makes it the safest choice for a shrimp aquarium.

Recommendation

Something to aim for once you have a CO₂ aquarium running stably — in hard water without CO₂ it drops its leaves within weeks. Cut the longest stems five to ten centimetres above the substrate and replant the tops in the group.