Rotala macrandra
Rotala macrandra
Also known as Giant Red Rotala, Macrandra Red, Pink Rotala
Care at a glance
- Light
- High light
- CO2
- CO₂ required
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Placement
- Background
- Type
- Stem
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.0
- Hardness
- 4–12 dGH
- Max height
- 19.7 in (50 cm)
- Spread
- 2.4 in (6 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Origin
- India and Sri Lanka (marshes and ricefields)
- Family
- Lythraceae
Overview
One of the most beautiful red stems and one of the fussiest. It needs high light, stable CO2, and soft water to grow and colour, and it does not tolerate CO2 swings, which stunt and curl the growing tips. Deep red comes from leaner nitrate (kept low, under about 10 ppm) with higher phosphate and ample iron and micros. Plant in groups but leave space between stems so light reaches the lower leaves, handle the brittle stems gently, and replant tops since lower portions thin out with age. Expect fast growth and frequent trimming once it settles in; this is not a beginner plant.
In the wild
Native to India and Sri Lanka, where it grows in marshes, ditches, and ricefields in soft, slightly acidic water. It occurs both emersed on wet ground and submersed, with the submersed form developing the large, translucent red leaves the plant is famous for. Its lowland tropical origin means it wants warm, mineral-poor water.
Good to know
A large-leaved stem plant in the family Lythraceae, distinctive among aquarium Rotala for its broad, soft, almost crinkled leaves rather than fine foliage. Numerous colour forms and varietals exist in cultivation, ranging from deep wine-red 'macrandra red' to green and narrow-leaf types. The leaves are notably fragile and tear easily during handling.
Did you know
Did you know Rotala macrandra colours best when you partly starve it of nitrogen? Keeping nitrate low while pushing phosphate, iron, and light is what drives the leaves to that blazing translucent red, whereas rich nitrate just keeps it greener and leggy.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Glass Aqua Aquascaping plants and planted tank supplies
- Buce Plant Aquatic plants and aquascaping supplies
- Aquarium Plants Factory Aquatic plants shipped from a California greenhouse
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
High-light plants · Background plants · Stem plants · Advanced plants · Fast growers · Red plants
Growing Rotala macrandra?
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