Rotala macrandra 'Green'

The Rotala Macrandra, commonly known as the Giant Rotala, is a beautiful red plant from Asia.

The Giant Rotala is highly demanding, needing high-intensity lighting, no shade, and high Co2 injection. To prevent shading, the individual stems must be planted far enough apart for the lower leaves to get enough light. Once established the plant grows quickly: up to 4” per week, in ideal conditions. To keep the distinctive red color, ensure that the Rotala has plenty of phosphates (1.5 - 2.0 ppm) and not too much nitrate. (10ppm or less.) An incorrect amount of either of these nutrients will lead to stunted growth or discolored leaves.

The way to make the best of the Giant Rotala is to use it sparingly, so its strong red coloration stands out without overwhelming the total aquarium scene. A small number of well-placed stems is better than a whole massive bush. In the middle of an aquarium, in front of a set of light green plants, the red coloration will be tremendously eye-catching. Rotala Macrandra can also be planted in a Dutch-style aquarium in “streets.”

*Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation.