Rotala Blood Red

Want red that stays red? Rotala Blood Red holds deep crimson to scarlet further down the stem than most Rotala, which tend to color only at the tips. Narrow leaves in tight whorls on upright stems make it a dense block of color rather than a scattering of red points.

What You’ll Receive

Sold as loose fresh-cut plants, bunched plants, or potted plants:

• Fresh-Cut Plants: Approximately 6 individual, loose-cut stems without root
• Bunched Plants: Approximately 6 stems without root, bundled with foam and plant weight
• Potted Plants: Approximately 6 stems without root, potted in rockwool and net pot

Plant Profile

• Common name — Blood Red Rotala
• Scientific name — Rotala sp. 'Blood Red'
• Placement — Midground to background
• Mature height — 8–16 in
• Growth rate — Medium

Care

• Difficulty — Intermediate
• Light — High. Color tracks light intensity directly
• CO₂ — Recommended, not required
• Water — 72–82°F · pH 6.0–7.0
• Substrate — Required. Root and water column feeder
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
• Propagation — Stem cuttings

Grower’s Notes

• Lean nitrate is what makes it red. Light and iron get you part way, but a heavily fed tank keeps this plant green and leafy no matter how strong the lighting. Backing off nitrogen is usually the missing step.
• It colors deeper down the stem than standard Rotala rotundifolia, which is the reason to pay more for it. If yours is only red at the tips, light is not reaching the lower leaves.
• Trim and replant the tops. Cut the top four to six inches and replant those; the bare lower stems rarely refoliate well enough to be worth keeping.
• Plant stems slightly apart. Packed tight, the inner stems are shaded, lose their color first and then shed.
• Expect melt in the first two weeks. Stems are grown emersed and the original leaves die back as it converts — judge the color on the new growth, not on arrival.

Want to go deeper? Read our complete Rotala Care Guide, or see our guide to getting real color from red plants.

Notes

• Images are for reference only. Actual coloration depends on lighting, CO₂, and overall care. Some melting may occur during the transition to submerged growth, but recovery is expected under proper aquarium care.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

• Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
• Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
• Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
• USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
• UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
• Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
• We ship within the United States only.

Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.

The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.

How it works

• Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
• Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
• We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.

Good to know

• Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
• Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
• Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.

The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.