Rotala Ceylon care guide
Rotala Ceylon (Rotala ceylonica) — medium light, 22-28 °C, pH 6-7.5, no CO2.
Overview
Rotala Ceylon (Rotala ceylonica) is a narrow-leaved plant of the family Lythraceae, grown as an aquarium plant. Compact rotala with finely whorled green leaves that turn pinkish under bright light. Reliable mid-to-background plant for nature aquariums; tolerant of moderate water hardness.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lythraceae
- Genus: Rotala
- Scientific name: Rotala ceylonica
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 Sri Lanka.
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: 30 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.