Rotala Blood Red care guide
Rotala Blood Red (Rotala sp. 'Blood Red') — high light, 22-28 °C, pH 5.5-7, CO2 recommended.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Rotala Blood Red (Rotala sp. 'Blood Red') is an aquatic plant of the family Lythraceae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an advanced-level species. It is typically grown under high light with pressurised CO2 injection on nutrient-rich aquasoil. A selectively bred Rotala variety displaying an intense blood-red coloration throughout the entire plant under optimal conditions. Requires very high light, CO2 injection, and careful iron supplementation to achieve its signature deep crimson appearance.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lythraceae
- Genus: Rotala
- Scientific name: Rotala sp. 'Blood Red'
- Common synonyms: Rotala Blood Red SG
Habitat
Rotala is a genus of small marsh plants (Lythraceae) distributed across the Old-World tropics, from India and South-East Asia to tropical Africa and northern Australia. Many forms occur in rice paddies, ditches and seasonally flooded lowlands. In the Aquairi knowledge base, populations associated with this form are recorded from cultivated.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: high
- CO2: recommended
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil
- Maximum height: 25 cm
- Growth rate: medium
- Recommended placement: midground
Placement
A background or midground stem. Bright light combined with CO2 injection brings out the orange, pink and red tones for which Rotala is grown; lean nitrogen and abundant micros sharpen the colour further. In the Aquairi knowledge base this form is recommended for the midground under high light with pressurised CO2 injection, using nutrient-rich aquasoil.
Propagation
Pinched off and replanted cuttings root in days; periodic topping creates the dense bushy cluster characteristic of Dutch- and nature-style layouts. Documented propagation techniques for this entry include: stem cuttings.
Common issues
Small upright leaves and pale tips indicate insufficient light or CO2; reducing nitrate slightly while raising iron tends to intensify the red pigments.
Rotala 'Blood Red' Propagation Guide: Cuttings for Deep-Red Stems
Overview
Rotala 'Blood Red' is a cultivated colour form within the Rotala rotundifolia group, selected for intense red foliage. It is propagated exactly like its parent species, by cuttings. A single replanted stem will branch out and can even develop aerial roots as it spreads.
Propagation Method (Cuttings)
Cut a few centimetres off the top of the plant and replant the tip. New shoots sprout from the nodes on the remaining stem. If the parent was healthy, you can cut away most of it, leaving short stems a few centimetres high, which keep producing new shoots.
Step-by-Step
- Pick a strong, well-coloured stem from the parent plant.
- Cut the top 5 to 10 cm with clean scissors.
- Strip the lower leaves so a bare node enters the substrate.
- Plant the stems at least half an inch apart to leave room for side shoots.
- Keep the trimmed base in place to sprout fresh shoots from its nodes.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
The rotundifolia group tolerates a wide range of parameters and will even grow without CO2 after acclimatisation, but sufficient light and CO2 give better density and colour. For the signature deep red, combine a rich substrate, lean nitrate in the water column, and high lighting. This selected 'Blood Red' form colours up without needing nitrate as severely limited as some other reds.
Trimming & Maintenance
Top roughly every ten days, replanting the cut tops to thicken the stand. Each topping triggers more side shoots from the nodes below the cut, building a dense bush. Spacing stems apart at planting keeps the bush airy enough for those side shoots to develop.
Common Challenges
Too little light or excess nitrate keeps the plant greenish instead of red. As stems mature they may throw aerial roots, especially when given open space. The pure SG strain can be hard to source because it is not widely grown commercially.