Rotala rotundifolia wayanad
Rotala rotundifolia wayanad
Rotala rotundifolia wayanad is a regional variant of Rotala rotundifolia from the Wayanad district of Kerala, India, producing notably warmer pink color intensity than standard rotundifolia under comparable lighting conditions. The Wayanad variant's enhanced color response makes it a useful upgrade from standard rotundifolia for aquarists who want more vivid pink from a rotundifolia-group plant without moving to more demanding species.
Care tip: Rotala rotundifolia wayanad grows best in moderate to high lighting with CO₂ recommended. Maintain temperatures of 72–82°F and pH 6.0–7.5. Regular liquid fertilization supports healthy growth and best coloration.
Growing to 8 to 12 inches, wayanad is a midground to background plant well suited to primary midground to background placement in a range of tank sizes. The warmer color intensifies progressively with increasing light quality — more vivid pink than standard rotundifolia under the same conditions. Regular trimming maintains compact growth and ensures the most vividly pink new growth is always prominently displayed.
This moderate plant grows under medium to high lighting with CO₂ recommended. Temperatures between 72 and 82°F and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 provide comfortable conditions. Regular iron-rich fertilization supports the enhanced pink pigmentation. The Wayanad regional origin provides geographic specificity that adds botanical authenticity to South Asian biotope compositions.
In the aquascape, Rotala rotundifolia wayanad provides warmer, more vivid pink background color than standard rotundifolia under comparable conditions — a useful color upgrade for aquarists who want more from the rotundifolia group. As the chart notes, the color intensifies strongly under strong light, making wayanad a responsive and rewarding variety that visibly improves with better conditions. It is a transitional variety between the accessible standard rotundifolia and the more demanding deeper red forms.
Rotala rotundifolia wayanad is a warm-toned, color-enhanced rotundifolia variant for aquarists who want more vivid pink from a reliable, moderately demanding Rotala. Its enhanced color response and Indian regional provenance make it a botanically authentic and visually rewarding background plant.
Care & Specifications
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Placement | Midground to Background |
| Max Height | 8–12 inches |
| Light Level | Moderate to High |
| Temperature | 72–82°F |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| CO2 Needs | Recommended |
| Origin | India |
| Notes | A Wayanad region variant of Rotala rotundifolia with color that intensifies toward warm pink tones under strong light — more vivid than the standard rotundifolia form from the same conditions. A useful transitional plant between the standard green rotundifolia and the deeper red cultivars. |
