Gia Lai Rotala

Rotala rotundifolia 'H'Ra' ('Gia Lai') is a red-leaved selection of the highly variable species Rotala rotundifolia, and the Gia Lai form is treated as a synonym of the H'Ra form. In the aquarium trade the two names circulate almost interchangeably. Submersed shoots grow upright and begin to lean or overhang as they lengthen, producing narrow leaves that take on a stronger orange or red tone than the related 'Colorata' selection when given adequate light and nutrients. Under medium light it grows quickly and becomes a reliable stem plant for the background, where regular pruning keeps it bushy. It is not demanding about CO2: it does well with injection but also tolerates low-tech setups. The optimum temperature range is 22-28 C, and although it is often sold as a soft-water plant it copes with a wide pH range of 4.5-7.5. Carbonate hardness of 0-14 dKH suits it. In a high-tech aquarium with strong light growth accelerates and the red tones intensify. Propagation is simple: take cuttings and replant them, as is usual for stem plants. The natural locality is H'Ra in Gia Lai province, central Vietnam.