Rotala rotundifolia 'Blood Red' – Submersed Live Aquarium Plant

Rotala rotundifolia 'Blood Red' – SUBMERSED is a striking red aquarium stem plant that brings vibrant colour and natural contrast to planted freshwater tanks. Known for its slender leaves, rich crimson tones and attractive branching growth, it is an excellent choice for aquascapers looking to create a colourful midground or background display.

Unlike emersed-grown aquarium plants, this variety is supplied already grown underwater. Its submerged foliage has developed in aquatic conditions, making it a convenient choice for adding established underwater-grown stems to your aquarium.

Supplied as one bunch of approximately 6–10 submersed-grown stems, Rotala Blood Red can be divided and planted individually to create a dense, colourful group.

Why Choose Rotala Blood Red?

• Intense red foliage: Develops beautiful red to crimson colouring under suitable aquarium conditions.
• Submersed-grown stems: Supplied with underwater-grown foliage rather than the rounder leaves of emersed-grown plants.
• Excellent colour contrast: Looks especially attractive beside bright green aquarium plants.
• Ideal for aquascaping: Creates colourful midground groups or taller background displays.
• Moderate growth rate: Responds well to suitable lighting, fertilisation and CO2.
• Easy to propagate: Healthy stem cuttings can be replanted to create additional growth.
• Responds well to pruning: Regular trimming encourages branching and denser plant groups.

Intense Red Colour for Planted Aquariums

Rotala Blood Red is one of the most colourful varieties in the Rotala rotundifolia group. Its narrow leaves can develop vibrant red and deep crimson tones, creating a striking feature in freshwater aquascapes.

For the strongest visual effect, plant several stems together against green plants, aquarium rocks or natural driftwood.

Its rich colour works particularly well alongside Rotala Green, Staurogyne repens, Cryptocoryne and other green aquarium plants.

The exact colour will vary depending on the aquarium's lighting, CO2 availability, nutrient levels and overall growing conditions.

What Does Submersed-Grown Mean?

This Rotala Blood Red is supplied in its submersed form, meaning the stems have been grown underwater before sale.

This differs from emersed-grown plants, which are cultivated with their foliage above the water surface and may need to replace their leaves after being planted underwater.

Submersed-grown plants already have aquatic foliage, although some adjustment can still occur when they are moved into a new aquarium with different lighting, fertilisation or water parameters.

Product format: One banded bunch containing approximately 6–10 submersed stems. No nursery pot or tissue culture container is supplied.

How to Achieve Strong Blood Red Colour

Rotala Blood Red can grow under relatively moderate conditions, but its most intense colouration develops when lighting, nutrients and CO2 are well balanced.

• Lighting: Medium to high lighting, with stronger light generally encouraging deeper red colour.
• CO2: Supplemental CO2 is recommended for more vigorous growth and intense colouration.
• Fertilisation: Provide balanced macro and micronutrients, including adequate iron.
• Water stability: Avoid sudden changes in aquarium conditions.
• Trimming: Regular pruning helps prevent upper stems from excessively shading lower foliage.

Avoid deliberately starving the plant of essential nutrients to force red colour. Healthy, balanced growth is more important than trying to achieve a specific shade through nutrient restriction.

Where to Plant Rotala Blood Red

Midground

Trim the stems regularly to create a compact group that stands out against green foliage and natural aquarium hardscape.

Background

Allow the stems to grow taller to produce a colourful backdrop behind foreground and midground plants.

Nature-Style Aquascaping

Combine Rotala Blood Red with green stem plants and natural driftwood to create contrast and depth. Its upright to slightly arching growth adds a soft, natural appearance to the layout.

Rotala Blood Red Quick Care Guide

• Scientific name: Rotala rotundifolia 'Blood Red'
• Common name: Rotala Blood Red
• Family: Lythraceae
• Origin: Asia; cultivated aquarium variety
• Plant type: Stem plant
• Supplied as: One submersed-grown bunch
• Quantity: Approximately 6–10 stems
• Colour: Red to deep crimson, depending on conditions
• Placement: Midground to background
• Lighting: Medium to high
• CO2: Recommended for best growth and colour
• Growth rate: Moderate
• Typical height: Approximately 15–30cm or taller depending on trimming and conditions
• Temperature: Approximately 22–28°C
• pH: Approximately 5.5–7.5
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate; deeper red colour requires more demanding conditions
• Propagation: Stem cuttings
• Suitable aquarium: Planted freshwater aquarium

How to Plant Submersed Rotala Blood Red

1. Carefully remove the band holding the stems together.
2. Inspect the stems and remove any damaged lower leaves.
3. Gently rinse away loose debris using clean aquarium-safe water.
4. Separate the individual stems.
5. Use aquascaping tweezers to plant each stem into a suitable aquarium substrate.
6. Space stems approximately 2–3cm apart to allow room for growth and water circulation.
7. Provide suitable lighting and fertilisation as the plants establish.

Planting the stems individually rather than leaving them tightly bundled helps light reach the lower leaves and encourages healthy growth.

Trimming and Propagating Rotala Blood Red

Rotala Blood Red produces side shoots and responds well to regular pruning.

When stems become too tall, cut the upper sections with clean aquascaping scissors. Healthy trimmed tops can be replanted into the substrate to expand your planting group.

Remaining stems may develop new side shoots, creating a bushier appearance over time.

Regular trimming is particularly important in dense plant groups, where upper foliage can block light from reaching the lower stems.

Can Rotala Blood Red Grow Without CO2?

Rotala Blood Red may grow in a suitable planted aquarium without injected CO2, although its colour and growth pattern can differ from those achieved in a high-tech aquascape.

Without supplemental CO2, growth may be slower and the leaves may develop less intense colour.

For a dense, vibrant red display, stronger lighting, consistent fertilisation and CO2 supplementation are recommended.

Rotala Blood Red vs Rotala H'Ra'

Both Rotala Blood Red and Rotala H'Ra' are popular red varieties of Rotala rotundifolia.

• Rotala Blood Red: Particularly valued for its rich, intense red to crimson colour.
• Rotala H'Ra': Known for attractive orange, copper and reddish tones under suitable growing conditions.

Both varieties make excellent additions to planted aquariums and respond well to consistent lighting, fertilisation and regular trimming.

Important Information About Submersed Live Plants

This listing is for one bunch of approximately 6–10 submersed-grown Rotala Blood Red stems.

It is not a nursery pot, tissue culture cup or emersed-grown bunch.

Stem length, leaf density and colour may vary due to natural growing conditions. Plants may appear greener or less intensely red when grown under different lighting conditions.

Some initial adjustment may occur after planting as the stems adapt to your aquarium's water chemistry, lighting and nutrient availability.

Inspect and rinse all live aquarium plants before planting. For sensitive shrimp aquariums, consider an appropriate quarantine period before introducing new plants.

Live Aquarium Plant Shipping Restrictions

Not available for delivery to Western Australia. Live aquarium plants are subject to state biosecurity requirements. This plant cannot be shipped to WA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rotala Blood Red difficult to grow?

Rotala Blood Red is relatively manageable in a suitable planted aquarium. However, achieving its deepest red colour is easier with stronger lighting, CO2 supplementation and balanced fertilisation.

Does Rotala Blood Red need CO2?

Injected CO2 is not always essential for survival, but it is recommended for vigorous growth, compact stems and the most intense red colouration.

Will Rotala Blood Red stay red?

Its colour depends on lighting, nutrients, CO2 and plant health. Lower-light or less favourable conditions may produce greener foliage.

What does submersed-grown Rotala mean?

Submersed-grown Rotala has been cultivated underwater before sale. It is supplied with aquatic foliage rather than the emersed leaves of plants grown above water.

How many stems are supplied?

One bunch normally contains approximately 6–10 submersed-grown stems. The exact count may vary depending on growing conditions.

How tall does Rotala Blood Red grow?

Rotala Blood Red typically develops stems around 15–30cm or taller depending on aquarium conditions and trimming.

Can I trim and replant Rotala Blood Red?

Yes. Healthy stem cuttings can be replanted into the aquarium substrate to establish additional plants.

Can Rotala Blood Red be shipped to Western Australia?

No. This live aquarium plant is not available for delivery to Western Australia.

Explore our aquascaping supplies and rhizome aquarium plants to create a colourful freshwater aquascape.