Rotala Mexicana

Rotala mexicana is a beautiful and relatively uncommon stem plant in the aquarium hobby. It’s appreciated for its fine leaves, bushy growth, and ability to shift color depending on light and nutrients—ranging from bright green to golden, and even reddish tones under intense light.

🌿 Overview

• Common Name: Rotala Mexicana
• Scientific Name: Rotala mexicana
• Type: Stem plant
• Origin: North and Central America (notably Mexico)
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Light Requirement: Medium to High
• CO₂ Requirement: Strongly recommended for best color and growth

🌊 Water Parameters

• Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
• pH: 5.5–7.5
• Hardness: Soft to Moderate
• Placement: Midground to Background
• Substrate: Nutrient-rich for best results

🌱 Care Notes

• Coloration: Can range from green to gold or pinkish red in high light with CO₂
• Pruning: Regular trimming encourages bushier, denser growth
• Propagation: Easy—cut and replant stem tops
• Aquascaping: Works well as a bush or color accent in Dutch or nature-style tanks

🐠 Uses in Aquarium

• Adds vertical structure and bright visual contrast
• Offers cover for small fish and shrimp
• Excellent for high-tech aquascapes
• Can form dense thickets when well-maintained