Rotala macrandra

Overview

Rotala macrandra is prized as one of the reddest plants in the hobby — soft, rounded leaves in deep red, pink and orange that make a spectacular background or midground group. It is also advanced: its delicate leaves demand high light, pressurised CO2 and rich, iron-forward feeding, and it reacts quickly to instability. Get the conditions right and few plants are more beautiful; get them wrong and it melts.

Planting & placement

Plant stems individually into the substrate, spaced so light reaches each one — this is a plant you want fully lit, not shaded. It suits the midground and background, where a bold red group draws the eye against green neighbours. Remove the lowest leaves before planting. See how to plant aquarium plants for stem technique and aquascaping for beginners for using red as a focal point.

Light, CO2 & ferts

Macrandra needs high light and stable CO2 — both are non-negotiable for good colour and healthy leaves. Feed a complete fertilizer with plenty of iron and micronutrients; lean nitrogen tends to intensify the red, but never at the cost of overall health. A nutrient-rich substrate helps too. See best light for a planted tank for the intensity required.

Propagation & problems

Propagate by trimming and replanting the reddest, healthiest tops; they root and grow on, and the youngest growth always colours best. The chronic problems are melt and dropped leaves from unstable CO2, and green, colourless growth from too little light — both point back to the core requirements. Keep light strong, CO2 rock-steady and dosing consistent, and it settles into vivid, dependable growth. Pair it with a green stem like Pogostemon erectus or a hardier red such as Ludwigia super red to build a colour gradient, and plant a full group from the start so the red reads as a bold mass.