Aquarium mutant of Rotala macrandra 'Green'; wild type from South India
Overview
Rotala macrandra Pearl is a small stem plant for the midground of high-tech tanks. A group reads as a fine-textured cushion of green, pink and purple. It is a plant of medium difficulty.
Did you know
Rotala macrandra Pearl arose as a mutant, apparently of Rotala macrandra 'Green'. It is genetically unstable and will happily mutate back to the wild type.
Caring for Rotala macrandra Pearl
Plant Rotala macrandra Pearl as a group, especially in nano tanks. Its stems are just as fragile as those of the big macrandra forms, so handle and trim them gently.
It needs stable injected CO2, soft water and complete fertilization, including root tabs for the roots. Strong light keeps the growth compact and colored. CO2 swings show up quickly as stunted, twisted tips. It suits 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 4.5 to 7.
Growth is moderate, slower than the big macrandra forms. Replant only healthy tops with the typical small leaves. Watch for reversion shoots with larger, wild-type leaves and cut them out as soon as they appear, or they will overgrow the pearl form.
Good to know
Rotala macrandra Pearl is a dwarf selection of Rotala macrandra in the family Lythraceae, also traded as Rotala sp. 'Pearl'. Its leaves are among the smallest of any macrandra form, a few millimeters long and curved downward. That shape separates it from the similar 'Mini Type 2'.
In the wild
Rotala macrandra Pearl is an aquarium selection with no wild population of its own. Wild Rotala macrandra grows in marshes, ditches and ricefields in South India, in warm, soft, slightly acidic water. There it lives both emersed on wet mud and submersed.
Common questions
Is Rotala macrandra Pearl a different species from Rotala macrandra?
No. Rotala macrandra Pearl is a form of Rotala macrandra. It reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm), against 19.7 in (50 cm) for the species. It also differs in difficulty, hardness, growth rate, pH, placement, spread and temperature.
Does Rotala macrandra Pearl 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 macrandra Pearl need CO2?
Yes. Rotala macrandra Pearl needs injected CO2 to grow well, and it usually struggles without it.
How much light does Rotala macrandra Pearl need?
Rotala macrandra Pearl needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.
Does Rotala macrandra Pearl need root tabs?
They help. Rotala macrandra Pearl 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 macrandra Pearl?
Rotala macrandra Pearl propagates by cuttings. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots.
How tall does Rotala macrandra Pearl grow?
Rotala macrandra Pearl grows to about 7.9 in (20 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.
High lightMidground7.9 in (20 cm)
High lightMidground7.9 in (20 cm)
High lightMidground11.8 in (30 cm)