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Rotala rotundifolia

Delicate pink-red stems on one of the most popular Rotala aquarium plants

Regular price
£7.99
Regular price
Sale price
£7.99

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    Quick Facts

    Rating:

    Common name: Dwarf Rotala

    Origin: Asia

    Position in Aquarium: Midground

    Grows up to (cm): 60 cm

    Pot Size: 5 cm

    Growth rate: Fast

    Description

    Rotala rotundifolia is one of the most popular and widely kept aquarium stem plants, producing masses of small, rounded to slightly elongated leaves on delicate upright stems. It develops attractive pink to red tones under good light, with the colour intensity increasing with light levels. When planted in dense groups in the background, it creates a rich, softly textured mass of warm colour that is a staple element in many planted aquascape styles.

    It is one of the more manageable red-tinted stem plants, growing under medium light and benefiting from but not strictly requiring CO2 for basic pink colouration. With CO2 supplementation growth is more compact and colouration more vivid, but it performs well even in lower-tech set-ups. Regular trimming keeps it bushy and prevents it from becoming too tall and losing colour at the base.

    Supplied as an established potted plant, Rotala rotundifolia suits aquariums from 40 litres upward. Its combination of relatively easy care, attractive pink-red colouration, and fine texture makes it one of the most recommended stem plants for hobbyists moving into planted aquariums with colour in mind.

    Plant Sizes

    You’ll receive a healthy, rooted plant in a pot, similar to those shown. Each one is hand-checked before dispatch.

    Shipping

    Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tracked 24 Service from £4.99, DPD Express from £6.99.

    Rotala rotundifolia (Dwarf rotala) Aquafleur
    Rotala rotundifolia (Dwarf rotala) Aquafleur
    Rotala rotundifolia (Dwarf rotala) Aquafleur
    Rotala rotundifolia (Dwarf rotala) Aquafleur

    Customers praised this aquatic plant for its vigorous, fast growth, with many noting it grows well in low-tech setups. "Arrived in excellent condition" was a common theme. However, one customer felt the quantity was small with only 5 stems, noting poor value. The delicate plant thrives quickly, producing pink/red coloration under proper conditions.

    • This plant is VIGOROUS! Within 48 hours of being planted, the round leaves were looking more pointy.
    • An excellent choice if you want to quickly create a lush background
    • Growing really well in my low light, non-CO2 tank.
    • 5 stars: 34 (87%)
    • 4 stars: 3 (8%)
    • 3 stars: 1 (3%)
    • 2 stars: 1 (3%)
    • 1 star: 0 (0%)
    B
    Brigit

    Delicate

    R
    Ron

    Plant a little on the small side only about 5 stems all differing lengths . Not really value for money. Have since noticed another seller offering 10 stems at a cheaper price , may purchase one , as this original is very small. It’s alive and upright in the tank and this ROTALA grows at a very quick rate once acclimatised .

    M
    Michelle M. (Glasgow, GB)
    Lovely plants

    These plants are really nice plants, the fish love them and they were well packaged and had weights with them, perfect

    K
    Karin K.
    Review

    Awesome.My favourite plant.The fish love it as much as I do.
    The plant arrived strong and healthy.

    K
    Karin K.
    Review

    Awesome plant. Another favourite of mine.The fish and shrimp love the plant too and swim in and out of it all the time.Like all other plants I bought from aquaessentials, it arrived as a strong and healthy plant and perfectly protected against damage.

    A
    Alan H.
    Review

    A good plant, arrived in excellent condition and with quite a few good length stems. I planted it and am waiting for immersed growth to start (it's only been a week).

    D
    Diogo F.
    Review

    Plant arrived in perfect condition. Within less than two weeks has grown so much already needs trimming. Awesome effect when the leaves close at night.

    E
    Emma F.
    Review

    This plant is VIGOROUS!. Within 48 hours of being planted into my aquarium, the round leaves were looking more pointy. After a month, long runners are sneaking around the bottom of the tank and putting out roots. There should be plenty of material to cut out and replant elsewhere. Only slight disappointment is that it has turned pink at all, despite having med-high light levels and the plant now reaching just a few cm from the water surface. The fish love to hide amongst it though.

    J
    Julie A.
    Review

    A beautiful, healthy plant, beautifully packaged and is showing signs of growth.

    R
    Rob B.
    Review

    A pretty and delicate plant which I'm looking forward to seeing flourish

    A
    Alex L.
    Review

    First time ordering plants online and very pleased with condition of plants and how they were packaged. The Rotala is growing very well with a low tech set up and have already taken cuttings after the stems have reached the top of the tank after only 4 weeks growth.

    S
    Steven A.
    Review

    Lovely looking healthy plant and it started growing after only a few days! Unfortunately some of my fish took a liking to it and destroyed it!!!

    s
    steven k.
    Review

    plant arrived in good condition, once planted in the tank it took about 3 weeks to establish itself. a small amount of new growth during that time but after that there was no stopping it. I've trimmed it twice and from the cuttings cultivated my own new stems which quickly grew roots. (at the time of planting i also used one seachem flourish tablet)

    E
    Ewan M.
    Review

    Plant arrived very healthy and lush. Delivery was well packaged and arrived quickly. I've already had to trim the plant multiple times after planting it about a week ago, and was able to replant the tips. An excellent choice if you want to quickly create a lush background

    P
    Paul H.
    Review

    Just planted this planted this plan over 2 week I have started to trim toped and plant in other places in the aquarium.

    D
    David D.
    Review

    Absolutely love this plant, it's growing really well in my low light, non-CO2 tank. Manged to split the pot into 5-6 stems, maybe more. Each stem has already shown enough growth in two weeks to allow me to trim and re-plant the cuttings.

    T
    Terry H.
    Review

    As always.. great products at great prices.. plants arrive in top condition, and growing well ,
    Will definitely be ordering again,

    S
    Stephen H.
    Review

    Arrived well protected and in great condition. The plant has pride of place at the rear of my Nano tank.

    M
    Martyn G.
    Review

    Lots of packaging and plants came safe and sound. Plants shed quite a few leaves when first planted but settled in well now

    T
    Tony A.
    Review

    Quick delivery and in Excellant condition. This plant grows well and with regular trimming will become bushy. A great aquarium addition

    D
    Derek S.
    Review

    A good foreground plant that has already started to grow quickly and will soon need cutting back, providing new shoots to bulk it up into a good mound. At present the new growth has kept it\'s pinkish colour.

    A
    Andrew C.
    Review

    Considering they arrived broad leaved they\'ve obviously taken a week or two to really take off and grow their longer submerged growth. Excellent quality.

    A
    Adam L.
    Review

    Great plant in great condition. A good quantity - came in about a dozen individual stems which I've planted in two clumps. Started pearling nicely straight away, and there's loads of new growth, with bright green leaves and some red stems (7hrs lighting/day and low levels of pressurised CO2). I'm hoping, with time and more CO2, it will get more colouring to it.

    Thanks again AquaEssentials!

    R
    Roy W.
    Review

    Received these plants the day after dispatch. They were well packed, very healthy and are growing strongly in my aquarium just one week after planting. Already have nice red tops and will soon need pruning!

    S
    Saira B.
    Review

    I have this in a 240 litre tank with 78 watts of light using only liquid co2. It's grown a bit in 1 week and it's maintained it's red stems which I thought I'd lose with the low light. It's a pretty little plant and will grow tall enough to cover tank equipment. For those keeping fancy goldfish mine don't seem to nibble this one but they have uprooted it so I tied it to a tiny rock and immersed it in the sand, it's still growing nicely, give it a try!

    T
    Tim P.
    Review

    Arrived next day and is growing nicely in my tank!

    R
    Roger B.
    Review

    As always top notch thank you.

    S
    STEPHEN B.
    Review

    plants in fantastic condition highly recommend

    A
    Anya W.
    Review

    These have grown so quickly in my tank got lots of individual plants out of just 1 plant, doubled in size in only 4 weeks

    R
    Rob P.
    Review

    Beautiful plants, removed some browned lower leaves and hurriedly planted this last Thursday, moved it around 4 days later and already putting new roots down. Looks nice and healthy.

    R
    Richard J.
    Review

    Great plant. Delivered in 24h. Fantastic condition. Growing happily in my fish tank. Thank you.

    m
    mark p.
    Review

    yet again from aqua essentials i got 1st class service and top quality plants delivered quickly . very happy customer with plenty of future repeat business .

    C
    Colin T.
    Review

    Great plant,delivered in excellent condition. Growing away in the aquarium quite happily. Highly recommended the fish and shrimp love it.

    Product FAQs

    Helpful details before you buy.

    Does Rotala rotundifolia need CO2?

    CO2 is recommended for more compact growth and more vivid red colouration, but unlike many stem plants it can still perform and display pink tones without it under good medium light.

    What colour does it turn?

    Under medium to bright light it develops pink to red tones, with the intensity increasing with light levels. Under low light it remains predominantly green.

    Is it easy for beginners?

    Yes. Rotala rotundifolia is one of the easier red-tinted stem plants and a popular recommendation for hobbyists wanting to introduce colour into a planted aquarium for the first time.

    How do I keep it bushy rather than leggy?

    Regular trimming is key. Cut stems back before they grow too tall and replant the cuttings. This builds a denser group over time and prevents bare, leafless bases.

    How large does it grow?

    Left untrimmed it reaches the surface in most aquariums. Regular trimming maintains it at whatever height is appropriate for the background of the layout.