Rotala "Vietnam H'ra" (Rotala rotundifolia) - Potted

Rotala "Vietnam H'ra" (Rotala rotundifolia "H'ra") is one of the easiest red stem plants in the hobby. Unlike most red plants it shows warm pink, orange, and red tones in medium light without CO2, then turns genuinely electric under strong light with carbon supplementation. Instead of standing stiffly upright it arches and branches sideways, which builds a soft, bushy hedge as it fills in. This one arrives as a healthy potted nursery plant with a full root mass, ready to split into individual stems and plant. Browse the rest of our live freshwater aquarium plants.

Care Guide

• Light: Medium to high. It stays colorful in medium light, which is what makes it forgiving, but high light produces the tightest growth and the deepest reds.
• CO2: Optional. Not required for color, though injected CO2 near 30 ppm gives the fastest growth and the most intense tones. A liquid carbon supplement is a fine substitute.
• Fertilizer: Feeds from both roots and water column. An iron-rich micro dose drives the red, and a regular macro dose keeps the fast growth from stalling.
• Planting: Remove the pot and rockwool, rinse the roots, then gently separate the clump into individual stems. Plant them 1 to 2 inches apart in small groups rather than as one bunch, so light reaches every stem.
• Trimming: Fast grower. Top the stems and replant the cuttings to thicken the stand. Regular trimming stops it from shading the plants below.

Specifications

In the Aquascape

Rotala H'ra earns its place as a color accent. Planted in a group along the back or upper midground, the arching stems knit together into a warm orange and red hedge that makes surrounding greens look greener. It is a classic partner for green stems and carpets, and because the color holds without CO2 it is one of the few reliable ways to get red into a low-tech planted tank. Give the group room, then trim and replant the tops every few weeks to keep it dense.

We also carry this plant as a tissue culture portion cup, which is pest free and gives you many more small stems to spread across a larger layout. The potted version here is the better value if you want established growth to split up right away.

Pairs Well With

• Hygrophila Pinnatifida for a bronze, textured contrast beside the red.
• Amazon Sword as a broad-leaved green centerpiece behind it.
• CaribSea PyroFlora Volcanic Substrate to give the roots a mineral rich bed to establish in.
• Aquaforest AF Micro for the iron and trace elements that drive red coloration.
• Neocaridina shrimp, completely safe with this plant and striking against the red foliage.

Browse all plant additives and supplements to round out your dosing routine.

FAQ

Do I need CO2 to grow it?
No. This is one of the few red stem plants that keeps its color in medium light with no CO2. Adding CO2 simply makes the reds deeper and the growth faster.

Why do the leaves look round in the photo?
It is grown emersed at the nursery, and above water Rotala rotundifolia produces short rounded leaves. Once submerged it converts to the narrow, needle-like leaves the plant is known for, and that new growth is where the color appears.

Some stems melted after planting, is that normal?
Yes. Emersed grown stems often drop their original leaves while converting to underwater growth. Leave the stems in place, keep your light and dosing steady, and new submersed shoots will follow within a couple of weeks.

How do I make it redder?
More light, iron-rich micro fertilizer, and a slightly lean nitrogen balance. Strong light plus CO2 gives the most dramatic color.

Is it safe with shrimp and snails?
Yes, completely. It makes an excellent backdrop for a Neocaridina colony.