Rotala rotundifolia 'H'Ra' – Potted Live Aquarium Plant

Rotala rotundifolia 'H'Ra' – POT is a beautiful orange-red stem plant that adds warmth, colour and natural texture to planted freshwater aquariums. Known for its narrow leaves and attractive branching growth, Rotala H'Ra' is a popular choice for aquascapers wanting colourful plants that contrast with green foliage.

Under suitable lighting and nutrient conditions, its leaves can develop rich orange, copper and reddish tones. With regular trimming, this fast-growing plant can form dense, colourful groups in the aquarium midground or background.

Supplied as one nursery pot, Rotala H'Ra' can be divided into individual stems and planted across your aquarium to create a fuller display.

Why Choose Rotala H'Ra'?

• Beautiful orange-red colour: Develops warm copper, orange and reddish foliage under suitable conditions.
• Excellent for aquascaping: Contrasts beautifully with green plants, aquarium rocks and driftwood.
• Fast-growing stem plant: Can quickly fill planting areas under favourable conditions.
• Easy to propagate: Trim healthy stems and replant the cuttings to create new growth.
• Versatile placement: Suitable for midground and background layouts.
• Responds well to trimming: Regular pruning encourages bushier growth.
• Ideal for planted aquariums: Works particularly well in layouts with good lighting and consistent fertilisation.

How to Achieve Orange and Red Colour

One of the main attractions of Rotala H'Ra' is its ability to develop vibrant orange-red foliage.

Lighting is particularly important. Under medium lighting, the plant may remain mostly green with some pink or orange colouring. Stronger lighting, balanced fertilisation and consistent CO2 supplementation can encourage more intense colour and compact growth.

Good colour development depends on several conditions working together:

• Lighting: Medium to high intensity, with higher light generally encouraging stronger colour.
• CO2: Supplemental CO2 encourages faster growth and can help achieve more compact, colourful foliage.
• Fertilisation: Maintain adequate nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements.
• Plant health: Provide stable aquarium conditions and avoid nutrient deficiencies.
• Regular trimming: Helps maintain a dense, attractive planting arrangement.

Colour note: New growth may look green before developing stronger colour. The appearance of supplied plants can vary depending on nursery growing conditions.

Where to Plant Rotala H'Ra'

Rotala H'Ra' is a versatile stem plant that can be used in several areas of a freshwater aquascape.

Midground Planting

Frequent trimming can maintain a compact, colourful group that provides contrast against shorter green plants.

Background Planting

Allow stems to grow taller for a vibrant background display behind rocks, driftwood and foreground plants.

Nature-Style Aquascaping

Plant several groups among green stem plants, Cryptocoryne and other aquatic plants to create colour transitions and depth.

Under strong light and with careful pruning, Rotala H'Ra' can also develop more spreading or cascading growth.

Rotala H'Ra' Quick Care Guide

• Scientific name: Rotala rotundifolia 'H'Ra'
• Common name: Rotala H'Ra', Vietnam H'Ra'
• Plant family: Lythraceae
• Origin: Asian cultivated variety associated with Vietnam
• Plant type: Stem plant
• Supplied as: One nursery pot
• Position: Midground to background
• Lighting: Medium to high
• CO2: Recommended for best colour and compact growth
• Growth rate: Fast under favourable conditions
• Temperature: Approximately 22–28°C is a practical tropical aquarium range
• pH: Approximately 5.5–7.5
• Plant height: Around 20cm or taller depending on growing conditions and trimming
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate; stronger red colour requires more demanding conditions
• Propagation: Stem cuttings
• Suitable aquarium: Planted freshwater aquariums and aquascapes

How to Plant Your Potted Rotala H'Ra'

1. Carefully remove the plant from its nursery pot.
2. Gently remove the growing medium from around the roots.
3. Rinse away loose growing medium using clean aquarium-safe water.
4. Separate the stems carefully, keeping any healthy roots intact.
5. Using aquascaping tweezers, plant individual stems into the aquarium substrate.
6. Space stems approximately 2–3cm apart to allow light and water circulation around the plants.
7. Provide suitable lighting and fertilisation while the stems establish.

Planting stems individually allows them to develop into a more natural and evenly spaced group than leaving the entire pot together.

Trimming and Propagating Rotala H'Ra'

Rotala H'Ra' responds well to regular trimming, making it easy to maintain in carefully arranged aquascapes.

When stems become too tall, cut the upper portion using clean aquascaping scissors. The remaining stems can develop additional side shoots, encouraging bushier growth.

Healthy trimmed tops can be replanted into the aquarium substrate to increase the size of your Rotala group.

For the most attractive appearance, avoid allowing dense upper growth to shade the lower stems for extended periods.

Can Rotala H'Ra' Grow Without CO2?

Rotala H'Ra' may grow in suitable aquariums without injected CO2, but growth is generally less vigorous and strong red colour can be harder to achieve.

In lower-tech planted aquariums, the plant may develop a taller, greener appearance.

For a dense orange-red display, we recommend suitable aquarium lighting, consistent fertilisation and supplemental CO2.

Important Information About Potted Live Plants

This product is supplied as one potted live aquarium plant, not a tissue culture cup or a loose bunch.

Plant height, leaf colour, stem count and density may vary with nursery conditions and seasonal growth. Some pots may contain submerged-grown stems, while others may be grown emersed.

Emersed-grown leaves can change after planting underwater as the plant produces new submerged growth. Some initial leaf loss may occur during this adjustment.

Inspect and rinse plants before adding them to an aquarium. If you maintain a sensitive shrimp aquarium, consider quarantining new plants before introduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rotala H'Ra' need CO2?

Injected CO2 is not always essential for growth, but it is strongly recommended when aiming for compact, fast-growing stems and intense orange-red foliage.

How do I make Rotala H'Ra' turn red?

Provide medium to high lighting, balanced fertilisation, stable water conditions and preferably supplemental CO2. Colour development varies with aquarium conditions.

Is Rotala H'Ra' suitable for beginners?

It can grow in suitably maintained aquariums, but achieving its strongest colour and compact growth is easier with good lighting, nutrients and CO2.

How tall does Rotala H'Ra' grow?

Its height depends on lighting, trimming and growing conditions. It can be maintained at around 20cm or allowed to grow taller for background planting.

Can I trim and replant Rotala H'Ra'?

Yes. Healthy stem cuttings can be planted into aquarium substrate, where they may develop roots and continue growing.

Is this Rotala H'Ra' a tissue culture plant?

No. This listing is for one nursery pot containing live Rotala H'Ra' stems, rather than a sealed tissue culture container.

Why is my Rotala H'Ra' green instead of red?

Green growth is common under lower lighting or less intensive growing conditions. Stronger lighting, consistent fertilisation and CO2 can help encourage orange-red colouration.

Is Rotala H'Ra' suitable for shrimp aquariums?

Yes, it can be grown in suitable planted freshwater shrimp aquariums. Introduce new plants carefully and ensure the aquarium water conditions meet the shrimp's needs.

Browse our aquascaping supplies and rhizome aquarium plants to create a colourful planted aquarium.