Vietnam per its sellers, unconfirmed and outside the wild range of Rotala macrandra
Overview
Rotala macrandra Yellow is a high-techstem plant for the background, with oval leaves that run from light green to golden yellow. It is a plant of medium difficulty.
Did you know
Rotala macrandra Yellow is sold with Vietnam as its home, yet wild macrandra is endemic to southern India. That gap puts its species label in doubt.
Caring for Rotala macrandra Yellow
Plant tissue culture clusters of Rotala macrandra Yellow about 2.5 cm apart in the background, so light reaches the lower leaves. Handle the fragile stems gently, and keep conditions steady to avoid melting.
Give it strong light and injected CO2 at 20 to 30 ppm, in soft, slightly acidic water. Regular iron and micronutrient dosing brings out the gold, and root tabs feed the roots. Weaker light gives larger, paler leaves. It suits 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C).
It grows at a medium pace, and shops list heights of 10 to 40 cm. Top it and replant the tips or side shoots to thicken the group.
Good to know
Rotala macrandra Yellow belongs to the Lythraceae. A 2019 buyer review says it lacks the thin, cellophane-like leaves of other macrandra forms. The same buyer called its growth rotundifolia-like, though with larger leaf rosettes. Buce reports amber tones under strong light. Rotala macrandra 'Green' differs in keeping the large, soft macrandra leaf, lime green with pink or golden tips.
In the wild
Rotala macrandra Yellow is known only from the aquarium trade, mostly as Aquatic Farmer tissue culture. No wild collection has been published. Wild Rotala macrandra lives in streams, temporary ponds and flooded rice fields, both emersed on wet ground and submersed in soft, slightly acidic water.
Common questions
Is Rotala macrandra Yellow a different species from Rotala macrandra?
No. Rotala macrandra Yellow is a form of Rotala macrandra. It reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm), against 19.7 in (50 cm) for the species. It also differs in difficulty and growth rate.
Does Rotala macrandra Yellow 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 Yellow need CO2?
Yes. Rotala macrandra Yellow needs injected CO2 to grow well, and it usually struggles without it.
How much light does Rotala macrandra Yellow need?
Rotala macrandra Yellow needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.
Does Rotala macrandra Yellow need root tabs?
They help. Rotala macrandra Yellow 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 Yellow?
Rotala macrandra Yellow 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 macrandra Yellow grow?
Rotala macrandra Yellow grows to about 11.8 in (30 cm) tall. It grows at a moderate pace.
High lightBackground11.8 in (30 cm)
High lightBackground11.8 in (30 cm)
High lightBackground11.8 in (30 cm)
High lightBackground11.8 in (30 cm)
High lightBackground15.7 in (40 cm)