Rotala 'Blood Red SG' Care Guide
Rotala 'Blood Red SG' is a Singapore-developed Rotala rotundifolia variant prized for deep blood-red color under high light and CO2.
Overview
Rotala 'Blood Red SG' is an intensely colored variant of Rotala rotundifolia developed on a farm in Singapore. It is prized for very deep blood-red coloration, a compact form with short internodes, and thin leaves with rounded ends. It is more demanding than the standard species: under moderate light it tends to stay orange or pinkish rather than achieving true red.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lythraceae
- Genus: Rotala
- Scientific name: Rotala sp. 'Blood Red SG'
- Trade lineage: Rotala rotundifolia (Singapore variant)
Habitat
Rotala rotundifolia, the parent species, is native to southeastern China and is widely used as an aquarium plant. 'Blood Red SG' is a cultivated selection developed in Singapore rather than a wild-collected plant.
Growth requirements
- Light: high (strong light needed for deep red color)
- CO2: required for best color and growth
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 2-8 °dGH
- Growth rate: medium
- Maximum height: about 15 cm
Placement
It grows in an upright, vertical pattern and is used as a midground or background color accent, including in nano and Dutch-style layouts. Iron supplementation and nitrate limitation are used to deepen the red coloration.
Propagation
Propagation is easy by head cuttings and side shoots, which are replanted into the substrate.