Propagating Rotala rotundifolia 'Colorata' from Cuttings

How to propagate the colourful orange-red cultivar Rotala rotundifolia 'Colorata' by stem cuttings, and how to bring out its colour with light and CO2.

Overview

Rotala rotundifolia 'Colorata' is a colourful selection of Rotala rotundifolia, a hardy Asian stem plant whose leaves can turn almost wine red under strong light. 'Colorata' pushes that further into intense orange-red, while keeping the easy, fast-growing nature of the parent species.

It is a cultivar, so it is propagated exactly like wild rotundifolia: vegetatively, from cuttings. Wikipedia states that R. rotundifolia "is propagated by cuttings", and 'Colorata' responds the same way.

Propagation Method (Cuttings)

Use topping. Cut the top of a vigorous stem and replant it; the base keeps growing and branches into multiple side shoots. Because the parent species grows quickly, 'Colorata' supplies cuttings often and fills in a group fast.

Step-by-Step

Pick healthy stems showing the strongest orange-red tops.
Cut the upper 5-10 cm of each stem with clean scissors.
Strip the lowest leaves so a clean node can be planted.
Replant the cuttings in the same group, spaced for light penetration.
Leave the bases in the substrate to branch into new side shoots.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

R. rotundifolia is undemanding but needs light to thrive, and colour intensifies under strong light. For 'Colorata' that means high light, CO2, iron-rich fertilisation and lean nitrate to drive the orange-red. Insufficient light shows first as the loss of lower leaves.

Trimming & Maintenance

Trim often because this is a fast grower; frequent topping keeps the group dense and yields plenty of cuttings. Grown emersed in shallow water the leaves become rounder and it can flower, but the colourful submersed form under high light is what aquarists keep and propagate.

Common Challenges

Green growth instead of orange-red almost always means light or CO2 is the limit. Bare lower stems mean the canopy is shading itself, so trim before it gets too tall. Replace any weak or melted cuttings with strong, well-coloured tops.