Rotala indica

Quick facts

Max height

40 cm

Growth rate

fast

Difficulty

beginner

Placement

midground, background

Propagation

stem cutting

Water parameters

Temperature

18–28°C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Hardness

2 to 15 dGH

Cold water

tolerated (unheated setups)

Light and nutrients

Lighting

medium

CO2

not required, but boosts growth and color

Substrate

rooted

Feeding

feeds from the water column (use liquid fertilizer)

Substrate

What this plant roots into (or attaches to). The substrate affects both plant nutrition and water chemistry; see each linked page for full effects.

This plant feeds primarily from the water column, so substrate choice matters more for its fish-tank compatibility than for plant nutrition.

With fish

Plant-eating fish

will be eaten by mollies, silver dollars, large goldfish, and other plant-grazers

Diggers (corydoras, loaches)

may get uprooted by active diggers

Root-disturbing fish

sensitive to root disturbance, plant where roots stay undisturbed

Habitat

Native to India and Southeast Asia, found in marshes, rice paddies, and shallow waterways. The species (Rotala indica, though taxonomic assignment is debated; many plants sold as R. indica may actually be R. rotundifolia or related species) is a delicate stem plant with small, rounded leaves arranged in opposite pairs. Submerged leaves are thin, oval, 5–10 mm long, and green to pinkish under moderate light. The plant is often sold in its emersed form, with round, succulent green leaves that look very different from the thinner submerged form. One of the more commonly available Rotala species in the aquarium trade, often at lower prices than more demanding species like R. wallichii. Taxonomic confusion is rampant in the Rotala trade: many plants sold as 'R. indica' are actually R. rotundifolia, and vice versa. True R. indica (as described in botanical literature) may not even be widely available in the aquarium trade. For practical purposes, the plants sold under this name are easy, undemanding Rotala species from tropical Asia that produce green to pinkish growth under varying light conditions. Tissue culture specimens are widely available.

Care notes

Easy to moderate. Grows in low to high light, with or without CO2, though it looks its best under moderate to high light with CO2 where the leaves develop a compact, pinkish appearance. Under low light without CO2, growth is slow and the stems become leggy with wide internodes. Plant stems in groups of 5-10, pushed into the substrate. Growth under good conditions is moderate. Trim tops and replant cuttings; the cut stems produce side shoots. The transition from emersed (nursery-grown) to submerged leaves takes 1-2 weeks; the round emersed leaves may drop before thinner submerged growth appears. Nutrient requirements are moderate; liquid fertilizer with iron supports healthy growth and pink coloring. Temperature: 22–28°C. pH 6.0-7.5. Soft to moderately hard water. R. indica is a good entry point for keepers who want to try Rotala without the demands of R. macrandra or R. wallichii. The pink tones under moderate light add subtle color without requiring the high-tech perfection that more demanding red stems demand. Available from most aquatic plant retailers.

Further reading

• How to cycle a fish tank
• Water chemistry for fishkeepers: pH, GH, KH, and what they mean