Rotala Wallichii

The finest-textured red stem in the hobby. Rotala wallichii grows needle-thin leaves in dense whorls, so a healthy group reads as a soft pink cloud rather than a set of stems. It is also one of the least forgiving — it wants high light, CO₂ and iron, and it tells you immediately when any of the three slips.

What You’ll Receive

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

• Fresh-cut Plants: Approx. 6 individual, loose stems without roots
• Bunched Plants: Approx. 6 stems without roots, bundled with foam and a lead weight
• Potted Plants: Approx. 6 stems without roots, potted in rockwool and 2-inch net pot

Plant Profile

• Common name — Rotala Wallichii
• Scientific name — Rotala wallichii
• Also known as — Whorly Rotala, Mayaca-leaf Rotala
• Origin — Southeast Asia
• Placement — Midground to background, in dense groups
• 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. Non-negotiable for both color and form
• CO₂ — Recommended
• Water — 72–82°F · pH 6.0–7.0. Prefers soft, acidic water
• Substrate — Required. Nutrient substrate or root tabs
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
• Propagation — Cuttings — trim and replant stem tops

Grower’s Notes

• Iron is what turns it pink. Light and CO₂ get you healthy growth; a dedicated iron-rich micronutrient dose is what produces the color this plant is bought for. Without it, expect a fine green plant.
• Plant a dozen stems, not three. Wallichii looks thin and weedy as individual stems and only works as a mass — that's why the format sells in sixes and why buying two portions is usually the right call.
• It sheds lower leaves fast in shade. Trim the tops, replant them, discard the bare stumps rather than waiting for regrowth.
• It reacts to instability before other plants do. If wallichii starts dropping leaves, check CO₂ consistency before anything else — it works as an early warning for the whole tank.
• Arriving green is normal. Color develops over several weeks under your lighting, not in the shipping box.

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

Notes

• Rotala wallichii may arrive green when shipped, as coloration depends on lighting, nutrients, and CO₂. With the right care — including iron dosing, high lighting, and CO₂ injection — the plant will quickly develop its signature pink and red tones.
• 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.