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Form of Rotala ramosior

Rotala Sunset

Rotala ramosior 'Sunset'

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

Also known as Ammannia sp. 'Sulawesi', Ammania sp. Sulawesi

FreshwaterStemCuttings

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
15.7 in
40 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Midground
Type
Stem
pH
4.5–7.0
Hardness
0–8 dGH
Spread
2 in (5 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Difficult
Family
Lythraceae
Origin
Aquarium strain of Rotala ramosior, native to the Americas

Overview

Rotala Sunset is a colorful form of Rotala ramosior for the midground. It is a difficult plant.

Did you know

Rotala Sunset once traveled under the name Ammannia sp. from Sulawesi, though the species behind it is American. Aquasabi sells Rotala ramosior 'Florida' as a separate form, with red-violet leaves 1 to 1.3 cm long against 2.5 to 3 cm on Sunset.

Caring for Rotala Sunset

Keep Rotala Sunset in an established high-tech tank, as a free-standing midground group no taller than about 20 cm. At that height the color contrast stays visible.

It wants soft, slightly acidic water, strong light, steady CO2 around 30 mg/l and a nutrient-rich substrate. Dose macro and micro nutrients consistently, since it feeds through both roots and leaves. It handles 64 to 86°F (18 to 30°C).

Even then it grows slowly. Take the tops high up and the stumps put out side shoots, but stumps cut low usually die, so never shear the group down. Slow growth also lets algae colonize neglected leaves, so keep the tank clean and the light period disciplined.

Good to know

Rotala Sunset belongs to Lythraceae, the loosestrife family. Its species name, ramosior, means more branched, which reads as a small joke underwater. There the cultivar grows straight, sparsely branched, densely leafed shoots. Its elongated leaves sit in opposite pairs and turn brown-red to purple over contrasting green stems under strong light.

In the wild

Rotala Sunset is a selected aquarium form, not a wild population, and it entered the hobby under several names at once. Where its stock was first collected is unclear. Its parent, Rotala ramosior, is an annual of seasonally wet ground across North and South America, and it is naturalized in parts of Asia. In the wild it grows emersed on mud flats and pond margins and tolerates only temporary flooding.

Common questions

Is Rotala Sunset a different species from Rotala ramosior?

No. Rotala Sunset is a form of Rotala ramosior. It is grown the same way apart from its growth rate and placement.

Does Rotala Sunset 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 Sunset need CO2?

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

How much light does Rotala Sunset need?

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

Does Rotala Sunset need root tabs?

They help. Rotala Sunset 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 Sunset?

Rotala Sunset 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 Sunset grow?

Rotala Sunset grows to about 15.7 in (40 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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