(set of 3 stems)
Round-Leaf Rotala (Rotala rotundifolia): the aquarium chameleon
Round-Leaf Rotala (Rotala rotundifolia) is an essential and fascinating stem plant. Its name is almost misleading: although its leaves are indeed round when it grows out of water, they lengthen and narrow as soon as it is submerged!
But its real asset is its color. In medium lighting, it has a lovely soft green color. Give it slightly more intense light, and its tips will take on magnificent pink, orange, or even red hues. It's the ideal splash of color to liven up a natural-looking layout.
Why choose Round-Leaf Rotala?
- 🎨 A festival of colors: it brings warm shades (pink, red, orange) to your aquarium without the difficulty of maintaining demanding red plants.
- 🚀 Fast growth: this is an excellent water-purifying plant. By growing quickly, it absorbs as much nitrate and phosphate as possible, starving algae.
- 🦐 A protective thicket: with regular trimming, it forms very dense clusters, perfect for sheltering fry and providing a playground for your water lice and snails.
- 🔄 Astonishing adaptability: very comfortable growing emersed in a paludarium or an outdoor summer tub, where it will form its famous little round leaves and lovely pink flower stalks.
Planting and growing tips
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Light: medium to high. The more generous the lighting, the redder and more compact the plant will be.
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Soil and nutrients: ordinary sand is sufficient. This plant feeds mainly through its leaves in the water column.
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Care: very easy; simply cut off the top part of the stem and replant it in the sand to create new shoots and thicken the cluster.
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Temperature: 15 to 28°C. Very hardy, it tolerates unheated tanks and outdoor stays during the warm season.
⭐ Tip: Don't plant your stems in one large, tight bunch. Space each stem one or two centimeters apart so the light can reach the base, preventing the lower part of the plant from losing its leaves.
Possible uses
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Low-tech aquarium: Perfect as a background plant to hide the back of the tank and absorb excess nutrients.
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Aquascaping: It's the ideal plant for creating large, colorful bushes in the background of natural layouts.
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Paludarium and outdoor tub: In summer, let it grow out of the water! Its stems will creep across the surface, letting you enjoy its unusual terrestrial form.
FAQ - Round-leaf Rotala (Rotala rotundifolia)
Why is my Rotala staying green?
The pink or red color depends directly on light intensity. If your lighting is low, the plant will stay green (which is just as natural and good for its health).
Should I add CO2?
No, it's not essential. Without CO2 supplementation, its growth will simply be a little less explosive and its red colors a little less pronounced, but it will grow very well in a natural setup.
Why aren't its leaves round?
As explained above, this is a natural adaptation. The "round" shape only appears when the stem grows in the open air (out of the water). Underwater, the leaves become narrower to capture light more effectively and reduce resistance to the current.
Additional information
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Scientific name: Rotala rotundifolia
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Origin: Southeast Asia
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Plant type: fast-growing stem plant
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Light: medium to high
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Temperature: 15 to 28°C
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Height: 20 to 50 cm (and more if left untrimmed)
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Packaging: set of 3 stems
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Guarantee: no rock wool or any kind of artificial substrate.
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Recommendation: As a precaution, please never release this plant into the wild. Our wild aquatic ecosystems are precious and fragile.
