Rotala Bonsai care guide
Rotala Bonsai (Rotala sp. 'Bonsai') — medium light, 22-28 °C, pH 6-7.5, no CO2.
Overview
Rotala Bonsai (Rotala sp. 'Bonsai') is a broad-leaved plant of the family Lythraceae, grown as an aquarium plant. Compact stem plant with thick, opposite, oval leaves resembling a tree's foliage. Slower than other rotalas; develops bronze-red tones in good light. Excellent midground plant.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lythraceae
- Genus: Rotala
- Scientific name: Rotala sp. 'Bonsai'
- Common synonyms: Rotala sp. 'Bonsai'
Habitat
Rotala is a genus of small stem plants from wetlands of Asia, Africa and Australia, rooting in soft acidic substrates of paddies, ditches and stream margins, often growing emersed in seasonally flooded ground. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Asia.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: not required
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil
- Maximum height: 25 cm
- Growth rate: medium
- Nutrient demand: medium
- Recommended placement: midground
- Typical trim interval: 14 days
Placement
In aquascapes this plant suits the midground. It is a stem plant for the midground and background, planted in loose bunches; bright light and CO2 intensify red and orange colouration and tighten internodes.
Propagation
This species is propagated by cuttings: the top portion of a healthy stem is trimmed and replanted, while the cut base produces side shoots that bush out the stand.
Common issues
Leggy growth with large internode gaps signals insufficient light; lower leaf loss often follows shading or nutrient deficiency, corrected by trimming and a stable fertilisation routine.