Rotala macrandra
The benchmark red stem plant — intense ruby-red to deep magenta when grown correctly. Brittle leaves shed easily during transport and re-planting, so handle with patience. Demands strong light, CO₂, and a lean nitrate/heavy iron regime to hold colour against the green of the rest of the tank.
Rotala Macrandra (Rotala macrandra) is a stem aquatic plant for the background of a planted tank. It reaches 20–50 cm under good conditions and grows at a medium rate. Light: high. CO₂: required. Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.0, and 2–10 dGH. Substrate: Aquasoil + heavy iron and micronutrient dosing. Propagate via top cuttings.
Care at a glance
The benchmark red stem plant — intense ruby-red to deep magenta when grown correctly. Brittle leaves shed easily during transport and re-planting, so handle with patience. Demands strong light, CO₂, and a lean nitrate/heavy iron regime to hold colour against the green of the rest of the tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether rotala macrandra fits in your tank.
Lythraceae
Stem
Background
Aquasoil + heavy iron and micronutrient dosing
Top cuttings
India
India
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: required. Light requirement: high. Under stable injected CO₂ the plant grows at a medium rate.
Rotala Macrandra (Rotala macrandra) needs high light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: background. Substrate: Aquasoil + heavy iron and micronutrient dosing It typically reaches 20–50 cm.
Propagation method: Top cuttings. Rotala Macrandra is a stem plant.
Target 22–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.0, and 2–10 dGH. Flow tolerance: low to medium.
Difficulty: 4/5. Advanced, demands dialled-in CO₂/dosing or precise water chemistry.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
