Rotala Macrandra

The plant that separates good tanks from great ones. Rotala macrandra carries the largest leaves in the genus — broad, soft and translucent — in a red that runs from rose to deep crimson. It is also the least forgiving Rotala we sell. Light, CO₂ and iron all have to be right at the same time, and the plant tells you immediately when one of them slips.

What You'll Receive

• Sold as emerged fresh-cut plants without root
• Fresh-cut plants | approx. 6 loose fresh-cut plants
• Bunched plants | approx. 6 fresh-cut plants bundle with foam and plant weight
• Potted plants | approx. 6 fresh-cut plants potted with net pot and rock wool

Plant Profile

• Common name — Rotala Macrandra
• Scientific name — Rotala macrandra
• Also known as — Giant Red Rotala, Rotala Rose
• Origin — India
• Placement — Midground to background
• Shipped size — Approx. 6 fresh-cut stems, roughly 4-8 in
• Mature height — 8–16 in
• Suits — 10 gallons and up
• Growth rate — Medium

Care

• Difficulty — Advanced
• Light — High. Below that the stems stretch, the lower leaves drop and the red fades to a washed bronze
• CO₂ — Required. This is the one Rotala where injection is not optional in practice
• Water — 72–82°F · pH 6.0–7.0. Soft water gives the best color
• Substrate — Required. Nutrient-rich substrate plus water column dosing; iron in particular drives the red
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
• Propagation — Cuttings — trim and replant stem tops

Grower's Notes

• The leaves are thin enough to be an algae magnet. Soft, broad foliage collects detritus wherever flow is weak, and algae follow within days. Steady circulation through the group matters as much as the lighting does.
• Lean nitrate is what makes it red. Fed heavily it grows green and leafy no matter how strong the light — hold iron and micros steady while keeping nitrate modest.
• Trim before it reaches the surface. Once the tops shade the stems beneath, the lower half strips bare and does not recover.
• Replant the tops and discard the old bases. Cuttings root and color up faster than the stumps they came from.
• If this proves too demanding, Rotala macrandra 'Green' has the same soft, round-leaved habit without the pigment demand — no iron chase, no color to lose.

Want to go deeper? Read our complete Rotala Care Guide.

Notes

• Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation. Unless specific, we don't guarantee aquatic plants will be free of pests, pesticides, grow emerged, or submerge.
• 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.