Rotala Mini Butterfly care guide
Rotala Mini Butterfly (Rotala sp. 'Mini Butterfly') — high light, 22-28 °C, pH 5.5-7, CO2 recommended.
Overview
Rotala Mini Butterfly (Rotala sp. 'Mini Butterfly') is a narrow-leaved plant of the family Lythraceae, grown as an aquarium plant. Tiny stem plant with compact internodes and bronze-pink hues. Ideal as a small group accent in nano scapes; appreciates CO2 and moderate light to keep its colour.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lythraceae
- Genus: Rotala
- Scientific name: Rotala sp. 'Mini Butterfly'
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: high
- CO2: recommended
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7
- GH: 2-8 °dGH
- Substrate: aquasoil
- Maximum height: 10 cm
- Growth rate: medium
- Nutrient demand: high
- Recommended placement: foreground
- Typical trim interval: 14 days
Placement
In aquascapes this plant suits the foreground. 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.