Rotala Macrandra

Rotala Macrandra

Rotala Macrandra is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and most demanding red stem plants in the freshwater aquarium hobby — a species that delivers an extraordinary vivid red-pink display under ideal conditions and declines rapidly without them. Its brilliant coloration under proper high-tech conditions has made it a benchmark red background plant for serious aquascapers and a true test of planted aquarium technique for the hobbyists who take on its challenging requirements.

Care tip: Rotala Macrandra grows best in high lighting with CO₂ recommended. Maintain temperatures of 72–82°F and pH 6.0–7.0. Regular liquid fertilization supports healthy growth and best coloration.

Growing to 8 to 20 inches, Rotala Macrandra is a background plant that requires very high light, soft water, stable CO₂, and low nitrates to produce its famous brilliant coloration. Without consistently meeting these four requirements simultaneously, the color fades, the leaves develop abnormally, and the plant deteriorates. Regular trimming is also essential — untrimmed stems lose their best color as lower portions shade out.

As an advanced plant, Macrandra requires CO₂ injection and very high lighting — the light level requirement is among the highest of any commonly cultivated aquarium plant, despite the chart's historical "Low" entry. This has been corrected to High in our records. Temperatures between 72 and 82°F and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 provide comfortable conditions. Soft water is not optional for best results — hard water consistently produces inferior color.

In the aquascape, Rotala Macrandra creates a brilliant, vivid red-pink background display that is the most luminous and intense red available from any commonly cultivated aquarium stem plant. A healthy, well-maintained group of Macrandra in full color transforms the background of any planted aquarium into a blazing wall of warm light. It is the benchmark red plant against which all others in the hobby are measured.

Rotala Macrandra is the ultimate red stem plant challenge and reward for advanced planted aquarium enthusiasts. Its brilliant coloration under ideal conditions is unmatched in the freshwater hobby — a plant that rewards mastery of planted aquarium technique with an extraordinary visual achievement.

Care & Specifications