Giant Red Rotala

In a red-focused aquascape, Rotala macrandra is usually the centrepiece. No other Rotala carries leaves this broad and translucent — each roughly oval and up to 3 cm across, an unusual width for a stem plant.

Rotala macrandra demands strong light, CO₂ injection at 20 to 40 mg/l, and soft, acidic water with pH between 4.5 and 7. Temperature should stay between 24 and 28 °C. Without these conditions the leaves turn brownish-green and the plant becomes leggy. The red colour comes from anthocyanin production under high light — lower light produces green leaves.

Iron and nitrate levels directly affect leaf colour. Low iron causes pale new growth; low nitrate causes the lower leaves to yellow and drop. Consistent fertilisation with both macro and micronutrients is necessary to keep the plant healthy from top to bottom.

Propagation is by top cuttings. The stem is thicker and more brittle than most stem plants, so handling requires care. It grows emersed on moist substrate and produces small pink flowers in its terrestrial form. Regular pruning keeps it bushy — the lower leaves will not regrow once shed, so trimming and replanting is part of routine maintenance.