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Form of Rotala rotundifolia

Rotala Wayanad

Rotala rotundifolia 'Wayanad'

One of 11 forms of Rotala rotundifolia · See all forms →

Also known as Rotala sp. 'Wayanad', Rotala rotundifolia Wayanad

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Invasive. The parent species Rotala rotundifolia is regulated as an invasive aquatic plant in California and Louisiana, and this form falls under the same rules. Never release into the wild; dispose of trimmings in the trash.

Rotala Wayanad (Rotala rotundifolia 'Wayanad')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Forms · Rotala rotundifolia

See all 11 →

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
68–82°F
20–28°C
Max height
15.7 in
40 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Background
Type
Stem
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
4–15 dGH
Spread
2 in (5 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Lythraceae
Origin
Wayanad district, Kerala, India

Overview

Rotala Wayanad is a fast, fine-leaved stem plant for the background of a planted tank. It rates medium difficulty.

Did you know

Under very strong light Rotala Wayanad tends to grow sideways and creep instead of standing straight up. Aquascapers use that habit on purpose to spill orange growth down over rockwork.

Caring for Rotala Wayanad

Plant Rotala Wayanad in dense groups at the back of the tank. Strip the lower leaves and push each stem into the substrate a little apart from the next.

Rotala Wayanad stays yellow-green in lean conditions, and its warm orange tones only develop under strong light. It grows without injected CO2, but at high light CO2 and steady macro and micro dosing keep growth ahead of algae. It feeds through both roots and leaves, so add root tabs to the liquid fertilizer.

It grows fast at 68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C) and a pH of 6 to 7.5. Trim and replant the tops regularly to hold an upright bush. Side shoots can be cut free and planted on their own.

Good to know

Rotala Wayanad belongs to the loosestrife family, Lythraceae, and is probably a locality form of Rotala rotundifolia rather than a separate species. Its submersed leaves are especially fine and narrow for the species, ranging from yellow-green to orange, peach and pinkish red. The name records the district it was collected from, following the hobby's habit of naming rotundifolia forms for their source.

In the wild

Rotala Wayanad comes from the Wayanad district of Kerala in southern India, a high-rainfall plateau in the Western Ghats. Like the rest of its species, it is a wetland plant of paddies, ditches and stream margins. It grows emersed on wet ground for much of the year and submersed when the water rises.

Common questions

Is Rotala Wayanad a different species from Rotala rotundifolia?

No. Rotala Wayanad is a form of Rotala rotundifolia. It reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm), against 19.7 in (50 cm) for the species. It wants high light, where the species wants medium. Added CO2 helps it, while the species grows well without. It also differs in difficulty and pH.

Does Rotala Wayanad 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 Wayanad need CO2?

No, but it helps. Rotala Wayanad can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Rotala Wayanad need?

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

Does Rotala Wayanad need root tabs?

They help. Rotala Wayanad 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 Wayanad?

Rotala Wayanad 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 Wayanad grow?

Rotala Wayanad grows to about 15.7 in (40 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

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