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Form of Rotala rotundifolia

Rotala Blood Red

Rotala rotundifolia 'Blood Red'

One of 11 forms of Rotala rotundifolia · See all forms →

Also known as Rotala 'Blood Red', Rotala rotundifolia 'Blood Red' SG

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Rotala Blood Red (Rotala rotundifolia 'Blood Red')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Forms · Rotala rotundifolia

See all 11 →

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ required
Temperature
72–84°F
22–29°C
Max height
11.8 in
30 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Background
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
1–10 dGH
Spread
2.4 in (6 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Difficult
Family
Lythraceae
Origin
Cultivar of Rotala rotundifolia (native to Southeast Asia / southeastern China)

Overview

Rotala Blood Red is a deep red stem plant for the background. It is a difficult plant, noticeably more demanding than plain rotundifolia.

Did you know

Rotala Blood Red was selected because it holds a deep red, where ordinary rotundifolia turns pinkish-orange. It is one of the reddest of the rotundifolia strains.

Caring for Rotala Blood Red

Plant Rotala Blood Red as single stems in the background. It arrives emersed or submersed and needs a few weeks to convert its leaves to the true underwater form.

It needs high light and pressurized CO2 to show its red, and in low light it reverts to green and stretches. Keep nitrate on the lean side and dose iron and trace elements to hold the blood-red tone. Root tabs feed its roots, and it suits 72 to 84°F (22 to 29°C).

It grows fast. Trim it regularly, because the tops branch and can shade the lower stems. Replant the cut tops and any side shoots to fill out the group.

Good to know

Rotala Blood Red is a color form of Rotala rotundifolia, in the loosestrife family, Lythraceae. Its red comes from anthocyanin pigments that build up under strong light. Standard rotundifolia grows round leaves emersed on wet banks and narrow leaves underwater.

In the wild

Rotala Blood Red is a selected color form, and the wild forms of its parent range across Southeast Asia and southeastern China. There Rotala rotundifolia grows as a marsh and paddy-margin stem plant.

Common questions

Is Rotala Blood Red a different species from Rotala rotundifolia?

No. Rotala Blood Red is a form of Rotala rotundifolia. It reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm), against 19.7 in (50 cm) for the species. It wants high light, where the species wants medium. It needs injected CO2, which the species can do without. It also differs in difficulty, hardness, pH, spread and temperature.

Does Rotala Blood Red need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does Rotala Blood Red need CO2?

Yes. Rotala Blood Red needs injected CO2 to grow well, and it usually struggles without it.

How much light does Rotala Blood Red need?

Rotala Blood Red needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Does Rotala Blood Red need root tabs?

They help. Rotala Blood Red takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Rotala Blood Red?

Rotala Blood Red propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Rotala Blood Red grow?

Rotala Blood Red grows to about 11.8 in (30 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

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