Your Cart

Here is all about Rotala 'Blood Red' — one of the most vibrant and eye-catching red stem plants in the aquarium hobby, highly favored for its intense crimson coloration, especially under high-tech conditions.


🌿 Scientific Classification

  • Scientific Name: Rotala rotundifolia ‘Blood Red’ (variant)

  • Common Name: Rotala Blood Red

  • Family: Lythraceae

  • Origin: Cultivar/variant (believed to be derived from Southeast Asia)


🌱 Plant Description

  • Type: Stem plant

  • Height: 15–40 cm (6–16 inches)

  • Width: 2–5 cm per stem

  • Leaf Shape: Narrow, elongated lanceolate leaves

  • Color: Greenish-pink in low-tech tanks; deep blood red in high-tech tanks with strong light and CO₂

  • Growth Pattern: Upright with slightly arching stems and dense leaf clusters when trimmed well


💧 Tank Requirements

Parameter Ideal Range
Temperature 22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH 5.5–7.0
Hardness Soft to moderate (GH < 8)
Lighting High intensity required for red coloration
CO₂ Strongly recommended
Substrate Nutrient-rich preferred (aqua soil)

🌾 Growth & Propagation

  • Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

  • Trimming: Regular topping encourages bushy growth

  • Propagation: By cutting stems and replanting the tops in the substrate

  • Spacing: Plant stems in groups with a few centimeters between to allow light penetration and bushy growth


🌟 Color Enhancement Tips

  • Light: Use full-spectrum, high PAR lighting to bring out red pigmentation

  • CO₂: Essential for deep red color and healthy growth

  • Fertilizers: Keep nitrates on the lower side (5–10 ppm) while providing high iron and micronutrients

  • Consistency: Avoid fluctuations in CO₂, light, or water parameters to prevent color loss


🧠 Care Tips

  • Trim frequently to maintain dense, bushy growth

  • Remove lower leaves if they get shaded and melt

  • Avoid planting too deep; leave the crown above the substrate

  • Combine with green plants for a vibrant red-green contrast


⚠️ Common Issues

Problem Cause
Faded/pale red Insufficient light or low iron
Green leaves High nitrate or low lighting
Leggy stems Poor trimming or low light penetration
Melting bottoms Overcrowding or poor water flow

🐠 Compatibility

  • Ideal for peaceful community tanks

  • Great in shrimp tanks — shrimp enjoy climbing the stems

  • Avoid housing with large or plant-eating fish

  • Snail-safe (unless snails are starved or conditions are poor)


📌 Quick Summary

Feature Details
Type Stem plant
Color Green to deep blood red (with high light & CO₂)
Placement Midground or background
Growth Rate Moderate to fast
Light Requirement High
CO₂ Requirement Strongly recommended
Difficulty Moderate

Why Choose Rotala Blood Red?

  • Among the deepest red aquatic plants available

  • Perfect for creating contrast in green-heavy tanks

  • Loved in Dutch-style aquascapes for strong color blocks

  • Responds dramatically to optimal conditions — rewarding to grow!



We process orders on all weekdays (Monday to Saturday), excluding public holidays.

To avail free shipping, purchase amount should be Rs350/-(for Aquarium Accessories and Aquatic Plants) or more, less than the above amount shipping charges applicable Rs70/- only. For live fish delivery charges applicable at the time of checkout.

Orders are normally Shipped within 1-2 days and usually take 2-5 working days to be delivered based on your location. However, you will receive an approximate timeline when you place your order.

To ensure that your order reaches you quickly and in good condition, we only ship through reputed courier agencies.

Let us know abour your query!