Rotala Ceylon

The forgiving pink Rotala. Rotala rotundifolia 'Ceylon' is a narrow-leaved Sri Lankan form that grows fast, arches gracefully in the current, and warms from light green toward pink and red as light increases — without the soft-water demands that make macrandra types difficult. It colors up under CO₂ but does not need it to thrive.

What You'll Receive

• Fresh-Cut Plants: Approx. 6 loose, unrooted stems — ideal for immediate planting or propagation
• Bunched Plants: Approx. 6 unrooted stems bundled with foam and plant weight for easy placement
• Potted Plants: Approx. 6 unrooted stems arranged in a net pot with rockwool — convenient for stable planting and display

Plant Profile

• Common name — Rotala Ceylon
• Scientific name — Rotala rotundifolia 'Ceylon'
• Also known as — Rotala sp. 'Ceylon'
• Origin — Sri Lanka
• Placement — Midground to background
• Shipped size — Approx. 6 unrooted stems
• Mature height — 6–14 in
• Suits — 10 gallons and up
• Growth rate — Fast

Care

• Difficulty — Beginner
• Light — Medium to high. Light intensity sets how much pink appears
• CO₂ — Not required. It deepens color and tightens growth, nothing more
• Water — 68–82°F · pH 5.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard
• Substrate — Nutrient substrate or root tabs recommended
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
• Propagation — Cuttings — trim and replant stem tops

Grower's Notes

• This is the easy way into pink stem plants. The Rotala that people struggle with is macrandra, which wants soft water and CO₂ and sulks without them. 'Ceylon' is a rotundifolia — it tolerates ordinary tap water and still colors under strong light.
• Trim it hard and often. Fast growth means it shades its own lower leaves; topping every couple of weeks forces side shoots and builds a dense group.
• Replant the tops and discard the old bases. Cuttings color faster than the stumps regrow.
• Plant stems individually an inch apart. Bunched, the lower stems shade out and rot.
• Fast uptake makes it useful in a new tank, competing with algae while slower plants establish. Also available as sterile Vitro Culture.

Notes

• Fresh-cut plants are unrooted and may require a few days to establish after planting. High lighting and CO₂ will significantly enhance color and density. Growth rates may vary based on tank conditions.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

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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.
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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.

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