Rotala rotundifolia 'H'ra'
The reliable red Rotala, easier than wallichii or macrandra, with thicker stems and tighter internodes. Pushes orange-red tops under good light without needing soft, acidic water. Pinch and replant the tops to thicken into a dense back-wall hedge in three or four trim cycles.
Rotala 'H'ra' (Rotala rotundifolia 'H'ra') is a stem aquatic plant for the midground to background of a planted tank. It reaches 20–50 cm under good conditions and grows at a fast rate. Light: medium to high. CO₂: recommended. Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–12 dGH. Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate, full water-column dosing. Propagate via stem cuttings.
Care at a glance
The reliable red Rotala, easier than wallichii or macrandra, with thicker stems and tighter internodes. Pushes orange-red tops under good light without needing soft, acidic water. Pinch and replant the tops to thicken into a dense back-wall hedge in three or four trim cycles.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether rotala 'h'ra' fits in your tank.
Lythraceae
Stem
Midground to Background
Nutrient-rich substrate, full water-column dosing
Stem cuttings
Selectively bred cultivar (Vietnam origin)
Selectively bred cultivar (Vietnam origin)
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: recommended. Light requirement: medium to high. Under low-tech conditions the plant grows at a fast rate.
Rotala 'H'ra' (Rotala rotundifolia 'H'ra') needs medium to high light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: midground to background. Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate, full water-column dosing It typically reaches 20–50 cm.
Propagation method: Stem cuttings. Rotala 'H'ra' is a stem plant.
Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–12 dGH. Flow tolerance: low to medium.
Difficulty: 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
