The "Rotala" asset of natural aquariums

The Rotala indica is one of the most commonly represented plants in natural aquariums, but also in ponds or tub gardens.

Indeed, capable of withstanding -5°C in winter, its base is generally spared from frost if planted deep enough. This allows it to sprout beautifully again in the following spring!

"If no human hand takes the trouble to plant it 40 cm deep, it will float or anchor near the banks and will be destroyed by frost. It is therefore not invasive in our regions."

What are its strengths?

Originating from rice paddies where it is considered a weed, the Rotala indica is therefore easy and quick to grow, low-maintenance, and not very delicate.

Unlike the selected cultivars of many aquarium plants, it is robust and requires no special care: no special substrate, no addition of CO2, no fertilizers, etc.

A simple ordinary sand is more than enough for her as she feeds through her leaves. Normal lighting suits her, and only water that is too hard can slow her down a bit.

Its growth is rapid, and it competes well with algae. The Rotala indica oxygenates and purifies the entire water column of its nitrates because its vertical stems reach 40 cm or more. When it reaches the surface, it can sometimes be seen flowering (pink!), or you can take the opportunity to cut it and replant the cut parts, which will regrow once buried in the sand.

If you want to obtain a bouquet even more quickly from a few stems, Rotala is incredibly well suited for the layering technique: instead of planting the stems vertically, they are laid horizontally on the sandy bottom, burying some parts just to secure the stem in this position. In this case, at each of the nodes (about every centimeter), a new rooted stem will form and grow upwards. Thus, dozens of new stems can be obtained quickly.

Finally and above all: its leaves take on a superb, very natural coppery red as they approach the surface. Unlike many aquatic plants, it does this spontaneously, without complicated lighting. This gradient from bottom to top allows for relief and creates stunning areas in an aquarium, where they stand out against the rest of the decor.

In the pond, the Rotala is one of the oxygenating plants, not heavily consumed by fish. Care should be taken to ensure that overly dense floating plants do not deprive it of light, which would be a shame.

The herbaceous beds she forms, flexible yet dense, are a perfect refuge for the fry.

"Its qualities as a carefree plant make it a star of natural aquariums or ponds where it is one of the main vertical-growing plants, anchored to the ground and beautifully reaching the surface."

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