7 Common Rotala Species for a Stunning Aquarium Background

If you’re looking to elevate the back of your planted tank, Rotala species are your go-to plants. These beauties are loved for their vibrant colors, lush growth, and relative ease of care—perfect for beginners and pros alike. In this guide, I’ll walk you through seven popular Rotala species that’ll transform your tank’s background into a living masterpiece. I’ve added some extra juicy details to spice things up. Let’s dive in!

• Rotala rotundifolia
• Rotala rotundifolia 'Green'
• Rotala rotundifolia 'Red'
• Rotala macrandra – Giant Red Rotala
• Rotala macrandra 'Green' – Giant Green Rotala
• Rotala wallichii
• Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan'

Rotala rotundifolia

Rotala rotundifolia #ad

• Difficulty: easy
• Growth: medium
• Height: 6 – 12+ inches (15 – 30+ cm)
• Lighting: low
• CO2: low

Rotala rotundifolia is a superstar in aquascaping, often confused with Rotala indica due to a labeling mix-up decades ago. Its name suggests “round leaves,” but underwater, you’ll see long, narrow ones on stems 2-3 cm wide. Native to Southeast Asia, it’s a favorite for its adaptability, thriving with just decent light. It chases light upward, sometimes sprouting tiny pink flowers if it breaks the surface!

This plant’s versatility is a treat—it can creep along the substrate if light’s low, adding a dynamic layer to your tank. Regular pruning is key, though, as its side shoots can block light to lower leaves, turning it into a bushy beast. Add some iron supplements, and you might catch hints of pinkish-red under brighter conditions—a little gift from nature!

Rotala rotundifolia ‘Green’

• Difficulty: medium
• Growth: fast
• Height: 8 – 12+ inches (20 – 30+ cm)
• Lighting: medium
• CO2: medium

Meet Rotala rotundifolia ‘Green,’ the evergreen sibling that stays lush no matter the light—reaching up to 50 cm tall with leaves stretching 3 cm wide. It’s a forgiving plant, perfect for newbies. It grows sideways before shooting up, making it ideal for corner planting where it forms a bushy, upright cluster. Its vibrant green holds steady even under intense light, unlike its cousins that turn red.

Plant it in groups for a forest-like effect—it’s a low-maintenance stunner. But don’t skip pruning; its dense foliage can hog space and light if left wild. A quick trim, and you’ve got a perfect green wall that complements any tank setup!

Rotala rotundifolia ‘Red’

• Difficulty: average
• Growth: medium
• Height: 4 – 8+ inches (10 – 20 cm)
• Lighting: high
• CO2: high

Rotala rotundifolia ‘Red’ is your ticket to a fiery background. This bushy beauty shifts from orange-red to deep red with the right care, pairing gorgeously with its green cousin for contrast. To unlock that intense hue, dose it with iron-rich fertilizers—think of it as the plant’s secret sauce! It’s fairly easygoing for a colored variant, growing steadily with high light and CO2.

Spacing is key—plant stems 0.5-1 inch apart to give them room to breathe and grow. When trimmed into a dense hedge, it can look like flickering flames—an effect aquascapers adore. Keep those scissors ready; it can get thick fast!

Rotala macrandra – Giant Red Rotala

• Difficulty: advanced
• Growth: medium
• Height: 8 – 12+ inches (20 – 30+ cm)
• Lighting: high
• CO2: high

Rotala macrandra, the Giant Red Rotala, is the king of red aquatic plants. Its vivid red clumps scream “look at me!”—but they’re delicate, so handle with care. This diva demands soft to moderately hard water, CO2 injection, heaps of iron, and bright light (think 75-82°F temps too). Shade it wrong or skimp on nutrients, and it’ll decay faster than you can blink.

Good water flow is a must to keep it thriving—space it out to avoid crowding, and you’ll be rewarded with a ruby-red spectacle. It’s a challenge, but for seasoned hobbyists, the payoff is a bold, unforgettable background!

Rotala macrandra ‘Green’ – Giant Green Rotala

• Difficulty: advanced
• Growth: medium
• Height: 8 – 12+ inches (20 – 30+ cm)
• Lighting: high
• CO2: high

Rotala macrandra ‘Green’ mirrors its red twin in shape but trades intensity for resilience. It’s still high-maintenance, needing strong light and CO2, yet it’s sturdier than the red variety. Under ideal conditions, its leaves can blush light pink—a delightful surprise! Its smaller, slower-growing leaves make it a subtler giant, perfect in large clusters.

With side shoots bearing opposite leaves, it adds texture to your backdrop. It’s a great stepping stone for those eyeing the red version but wanting a slightly easier start. Regular trims keep it lush and manageable—don’t let it sprawl!

Rotala wallichii

Rotala wallichii #ad

• Difficulty: advanced
• Growth: medium
• Height: 4 – 12+ inches (10 – 30+ cm)
• Lighting: high
• CO2: high

Rotala wallichii is a delicate diva with the narrowest leaves around—think feathery, red wisps softening your tank’s vibe. But beauty has a price: it craves intense light, CO2, and a steady nutrient mix (iron, phosphates, nitrates at 5-15 mg/L). Too little, and it sulks; too much, and it’s chaos.

Near the surface, it glows brightest and shoots the most branches—great for a cascading effect. Prune it diligently; this one’s a space invader if you let it loose. It’s a test of skill, but the result is a breathtaking, airy backdrop!

Rotala sp. ‘Nanjenshan’

• Difficulty: advanced
• Growth: medium
• Height: 4 – 12+ inches (10 – 30+ cm)
• Lighting: high
• CO2: medium

Rotala sp. ‘Nanjenshan,’ a hybrid of Rotala wallichii and rotundifolia, is the tough cookie of the bunch. Its leaves switch between green and orange based on light—less light, more green. It’s hardy enough to handle lower CO2 but still demands bright light and soft, acidic water. Stability is crucial; sudden changes can rot its leaves fast.

Here’s the fun part: trim it often, and it gets denser and more dazzling—almost like a living sculpture! Boost it with CO2 and rich soil, and it’ll turn into a bushy marvel. It’s high-maintenance, but the reward is a unique, textured background that steals the show.