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Form of Rotala ramosior

Rotala Florida

Rotala ramosior 'Florida'

One of 2 forms of Rotala ramosior · See all forms →

Also known as Rotala ramosior var. Florida

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Forms · Rotala ramosior

See all 2 →

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ required
Temperature
64–86°F
18–30°C
Max height
11.8 in
30 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
4.5–7.0
Hardness
0–8 dGH
Spread
1.2 in (3 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Difficult
Family
Lythraceae
Origin
Florida, USA (wild collection from Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary; the species is native across the Americas)

Overview

Rotala Florida needs an established tank with strong light, injected CO2, a rich substrate and steady macro and micro dosing. The 2Hr Aquarist suggests PAR of 80 or more at the substrate, CO2 above 35 ppm and a GH of about 4 to 6. Low CO2 or low calcium often makes the lower stem rot and drop its leaves. Keep it as a free-standing midground group of about 15 to 20 cm. It grows slowly, about 9 cm a month in Aquasabi's tanks. Avoid hard pruning, because stumps cut low often die back. Cut the tops higher up and replant them.

In the wild

Rotala Florida is a wild form of Rotala ramosior from Florida. US hobbyists collected it with special permission at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, northwest of the Everglades. It grew on a muddy path, away from open water. They introduced it on US plant forums in March 2013. The species grows on wet ground and in shallows across the Americas.

Good to know

Rotala Florida belongs to the loosestrife family, Lythraceae. Florida is a trade name for one wild collection, and Kew lists no botanical variety by that name. Its leaves sit in crossed pairs and measure 1 to 1.3 cm long and about 4 mm wide. Strong light turns them red-violet to deep purple, while the stem, midrib and leaf base stay light green. Rotala Sunset has longer leaves, 2.5 to 3 cm, in orange to brown-red.

Did you know

Rotala Florida takes its name from the state where it was collected. Flowgrow lists Rotala macrandra 'Florida' as a trade name of the narrow-leaf form of Rotala macrandra, a different plant. Check the label for the word ramosior before you buy.

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