Rotala sp. 'Singapore' Care Guide
Rotala sp. 'Singapore' is a red Rotala rotundifolia variant ('Blood Red Singapore') that needs high light, CO2 and iron to reach its intense red colour.
Overview
Rotala sp. 'Singapore' is a stem plant in the family Lythraceae, documented in the trade as Rotala rotundifolia 'Singapore' (also called 'Blood Red Singapore'), reported as among the most intensely red of the rotundifolia varieties. Its submerged leaves are small and compact, taking on copper-red to blood-red tones under strong light.
Taxonomy
- Family: Lythraceae
- Genus: Rotala
- Scientific name: Rotala sp. 'Singapore'
- Trade form: Rotala rotundifolia 'Singapore' / 'Blood Red Singapore'
Habitat
Rotala rotundifolia, the base species, is an Asian aquatic plant. The 'Singapore' / 'Blood Red' form is a selected aquarium variety grown for its colour rather than collected from the wild.
Growth requirements
- Water type: freshwater
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Lighting: high (red colour needs around 70+ PAR at the plant tops)
- CO2: required for best colour; 20-30 ppm recommended
Reaching intense red requires high light, consistent CO2 and iron supplementation; in Rotala rotundifolia the reddest growth tends to appear under nitrate limitation. The standard rotundifolia is easy to moderate, while the blood-red selection is more demanding.
Placement
The KB record places it in the midground at up to about 30 cm. It is planted in dense groups to provide a fine vertical, colourful structure.
Propagation
Propagation is straightforward using head cuttings and side shoots, replanted to thicken the stand; trimming routinely produces new planting material.