Rotala macrandra is the most striking plant in its genus and the hardest to keep — broad, soft, translucent leaves in rose to deep crimson, on stems that snap easily and sulk when moved. Buying it as Vitro Culture sidesteps the worst of that: young sterile plantlets adapt to your water far more readily than mature farm-grown stems, which arrive already shaped by someone else's tank.
What You'll Receive
- Sold as a Tissue Culture Plants with vitamin liquid/gel
- Packaging May Vary! To be sent in either in vitro bag or cup
- Bag / Cup size: Approx. 2.5 x 2.5 inches
- Sustainable growth aquarium plants species
- Great value! Nice specimen!
- Tissue Culture Technology | 100% Free from Snail, Algae, Pathogen, and Bacteria plus Extended Shelf Life on all in Vitro Plants
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 — Small tissue-cultured plantlets, roughly 1-2 in
- Mature height — 8–16 in
- Suits — 10 gallons and up
- Growth rate — Medium
Care
- Difficulty — Advanced
- Light — High. Below that the stems stretch, lower leaves drop and the red washes out to bronze
- CO₂ — Required. Injection is not optional in practice for this species
- 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
- This is the reason to buy the cultured form. Mature macrandra travels badly — the stems are brittle and the plant resists adapting once it has settled into a particular tank. Plantlets have no such habits to unlearn.
- Lean nitrate is what makes it red. Fed heavily it grows green whatever the lighting; hold iron and micros steady while keeping nitrate modest.
- Plant the plantlets separately with an inch of space. Crowded groups shade their own lower leaves and rot at the base.
- The soft, broad leaves collect detritus wherever flow is weak, and algae follow. Circulation through the group matters as much as light does.
- Want the same leaf shape without the pigment demand? Rotala macrandra 'Green' drops the red and with it the iron chase.
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, and 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.
- Amazing quality, plants are doing great with CO2 and high light
- Plants arrived healthy and packaged with care
- The plant is perfect, waiting for grew up in my tank
S
Amazing quality, I do miss when they used to ship in the containers with the lids but this system is ok too. The overall plant quality was great. I had no idea the current form was going to be so pink but the plants are doing great with CO2 and high light
D
The plant is perfect , waiting for grew up in my tank , I will take the picture late.
A
Plants arrived healthy and packaged with care. The size and amount of the plant was also a good value and I would definitely recommend and order again
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