🌸 Rotala Colorata – Care Guide
Rotala colorata is a vibrant, fast-growing stem plant known for its reddish-pink to orange hues under the right conditions. It’s a favorite among aquascapers for creating color contrast and delicate texture in midground to background layouts. Closely related to Rotala rotundifolia, it offers a more intense coloration and finer-leafed appearance.
🔎 Overview
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Scientific Name: Rotala sp. 'Colorata'
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Common Name: Rotala Colorata
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Origin: Southeast Asia
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Growth Form: Upright, fine-leaved stem plant
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Coloration: Green in low light, vibrant orange to pink/red in high light
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Height: 20–40 cm (8–16 inches)
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Placement: Midground to background
💡 Care Requirements
🔆 Lighting
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Medium to high lighting for best color and compact growth
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High light = intense orange to pink/red leaves
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Low light = more green, leggier growth
💨 CO₂
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Highly recommended
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Enhances coloration and encourages healthy, bushy growth
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Without CO₂, it may survive but remain duller in color
💧 Water Parameters
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Temperature: 20–28°C (68–82°F)
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pH: 6.0–7.5
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Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
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Flow: Moderate – helps prevent algae on delicate leaves
🧪 Nutrients
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Requires consistent liquid fertilization, especially:
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Iron and micronutrients for vivid coloration
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Nitrates (keep moderate) – too much can dull red tones
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Grows well in nutrient-rich substrates, but water-column feeding is key
✂️ Growth & Maintenance
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Growth Rate: Fast
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Trim tops regularly to encourage bushy, compact growth
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Replant healthy tops to thicken stems and create depth
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Remove lower leaves if they melt or get shaded
🌱 Propagation
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Propagates easily by cuttings
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Cut healthy tops (5–10 cm) and replant directly into substrate
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Will root quickly and continue upward growth
🪴 Aquascaping Tips
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Perfect for color contrast in planted tanks
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Use in groups for best visual impact
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Place behind green plants (e.g., Cryptocoryne, Hydrocotyle, Pogostemon helferi) to make the pinks pop
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Works beautifully in Dutch, nature-style, or high-energy scapes
