Rotala Mexicana Vitro Culture

Needle-fine leaves that turn orange. Rotala mexicana carries small, narrow leaves in tight whorls and shifts from bright green to reddish-orange under strong light. The texture is finer than most Rotala, which is what makes it useful for depth and flow in a layout rather than mass.

What You'll Receive

• One 4-inch sealed Vitro Culture® bag containing multiple Rotala mexicana plantlets, grown in vitamin-enriched gel
• Tissue culture propagated — 100% free of snails, algae, pathogens and pesticides, so safe for shrimp tanks and nano setups

Plant Profile

• Common name — Rotala mexicana
• Scientific name — Rotala mexicana
• Origin — North and Central America
• Type — Stem plant
• Foliage — Narrow needle-like leaves in tight whorls; bright green to reddish-orange
• Placement — Midground to background
• Growth rate — Fast

Care

• Difficulty — Intermediate
• Light — Medium to high. Necessary for the red and orange tones
• CO₂ — Recommended for compact growth and color
• Water — 72–82°F · pH 6.0–7.2
• Substrate — Required. Nutrient substrate or root tabs
• Propagation — Cuttings

Grower's Notes

• The fine texture is the reason to choose it over other Rotala. Needle-thin leaves read as softness and movement rather than solid color, which is what makes it work in nature-style and Iwagumi layouts where a coarser stem plant would look blunt.
• Trim frequently for density. Left alone it stretches; topped regularly it bushes out. The trimmings replant readily.
• Color depends on light intensity. In medium light it stays green — attractive, but not what the plant is bought for.
• Plant stems individually rather than as a clump. Fine-leaved stems shade each other badly when bunched.
• Expect some melt converting from emersed tissue culture growth to submerged form. New growth follows.

Notes

• Photos are for reference only. Actual coloration varies with lighting and water parameters. Initial melt may occur during the transition from tissue culture to submerged form.
• 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.