The "Rotala" asset of natural aquariums

The Rotala indica is one of the plants commonly found in natural aquariums, as well as in ponds or trashcan gardens.

Indeed, able to withstand 5°C in winter, its base is usually spared from frost if planted deep enough. This allows it to sprout again even more vigorously the following spring!

If no one takes the trouble to plant it 40 cm deep, it floats or anchors 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, undemanding, and hardy.

Unlike many selected varieties of aquatic plants and roots, it is robust and requires no special care: no special soil, no added CO2, no fertilizer, etc.

Ordinary sand is more than enough as it feeds through its leaves. Normal lighting suits it well, and only very hard water can slow it down a little.

Its growth is rapid, so it competes well against 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 advantage of this to cut it and replant the cut parts, which will regrow once buried in the sand.

If you want to get a bouquet even faster from a few stems, the Rotala is incredibly well suited to the layering technique: instead of planting the stems vertically, lay them horizontally on the sandy bottom, burying some parts just to fix the stem in this position. In this case, at each node (about every centimeter), a new rooted stem will form and grow upwards. This way, dozens of new stems are quickly obtained.

Finally and above all: its leaves take on a beautiful natural coppery red as they approach the surface. Unlike many floating plants, it does this spontaneously, without complicated lighting. This gradient from bottom to top adds depth and creates beautiful zones in an aquarium, where they stand out from the rest of the setting.

In ponds, the Rotala is one of the oxygenating plants, little eaten by fish. Care must be taken that overly dense floating plants do not deprive it of light, which would be a pity.

The meadows it forms, flexible yet dense, are a perfect refuge for fry.

Its qualities as a trouble-free plant make it a star of natural aquariums or ponds where it is one of the main vertically growing plants, rooted in the soil and nicely reaching the surface.

For those who enjoy complementary varieties, also discover the ceratophyllum demersum, another essential anti-algae plant, or the dwarf sagittaria subulata for an elegant groundcover effect.
And to understand why some plants grow better than others, read our article: Why the friend's plants grow better — or dive into The magical power of plants to discover their incredible natural abilities.

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