Description

 

🌿 Kaiser Aquatics Rotala rotundifolia

The Rotala rotundifolia from Kaiser Aquatics is a much-loved aquatic stem plant, highly regarded for its delicate leaves, adaptability, and beautiful coloration. Originating from Southeast Asia, this species has become a staple in freshwater aquascaping, especially in nature aquariums and Dutch-style planted tanks. With its soft green to reddish hues and bushy growth pattern, Rotala rotundifolia offers aquarists the chance to create lush backgrounds, vibrant mid-ground groupings, or striking contrast against darker foliage. It’s one of those plants that remains a favorite for both beginners and advanced aquascapers thanks to its forgiving nature and high aesthetic value.

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🌱 Appearance and Growth

Despite its name “rotundifolia,” meaning “round leaf,” the leaves of this plant are actually long and narrow when grown submersed. Under standard lighting, the leaves are a gentle green, but with higher intensity light and nutrient availability, they transition into shades of pink, orange, and red. This chameleon-like quality makes Rotala rotundifolia highly prized in aquascaping, as its coloration can be adjusted depending on placement and care.

The plant grows in upright stems, producing fine leaves arranged in opposite pairs that create a soft, flowing appearance. When allowed to grow tall, the stems naturally arch toward the light, giving aquascapes a natural, layered look. With regular trimming, it can form dense, bushy clusters that make for a stunning background plant.

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🪴 Aquarium Care

One of the biggest advantages of Rotala rotundifolia is its adaptability. It can thrive in both low-tech setups with minimal fertilization and CO₂, as well as in high-tech aquariums where it truly shines with vibrant coloration and faster growth. In lower light tanks, the plant remains green and slender, while under strong lighting it develops its iconic warm red tones.

To maintain its health and appearance, ensure good water circulation and regular trimming. Left unpruned, the lower leaves may begin to shed as the plant directs energy to the top growth. Frequent trimming not only helps maintain bushiness but also allows aquascapers to replant cuttings for an even fuller effect.

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💧 Water Parameters

Rotala rotundifolia is not overly demanding, but it does appreciate stable and clean water. Ideal parameters include:

• Temperature: 20–28 °C
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water
• Lighting: Medium to high; high light enhances red coloration
• CO₂: Optional, but highly recommended for vibrant growth and coloration

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🍃 Nutrients and Feeding

As a fast-growing stem plant, Rotala rotundifolia is an excellent consumer of nutrients, which helps prevent algae outbreaks. It benefits greatly from liquid fertilization rich in micronutrients and iron. Iron in particular boosts its red and orange pigmentation. While it can survive in tanks with just fish waste as a nutrient source, supplementation ensures it maintains lush, dense growth and striking coloration.

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🌟 Aquascaping Uses

Rotala rotundifolia is one of the most versatile plants for aquascaping. It is typically used as a background plant, where its vertical stems can provide a beautiful wall of color. When planted in large groups, the plant forms a dense and flowing backdrop that creates depth and movement in the aquarium.

It can also be used as a mid-ground accent in larger tanks, especially when trimmed low to create a bushy mound. Its reddish coloration contrasts wonderfully with bright green carpeting plants like Hemianthus callitrichoides or Eleocharis, making it a favorite in layouts that demand color variation and natural flow.

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📋 Quick Reference Care Chart

Care Aspect	Requirement
Plant Type	Stem plant
Growth Rate	Fast
Lighting	Medium to High (higher light for red tones)
CO₂	Optional, but improves growth and color
Temperature	20–28 °C
pH	6.0–7.5
Placement	Background or mid-ground (group planting recommended)
Propagation	By cuttings; replant trimmed stems

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🌿 Summary

The Kaiser Aquatics Rotala rotundifolia is a classic aquascaping plant that offers beauty, versatility, and reliability. Its ability to shift from lush green to fiery red under different conditions makes it a favorite for creating contrast and depth in planted aquariums. Whether you’re building a natural jungle-style layout, a colorful Dutch aquascape, or a clean, minimalist design, this plant adapts seamlessly. With regular trimming and proper lighting, Rotala rotundifolia grows into dense, flowing bushes that bring any freshwater aquarium to life.

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