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Rotala 'Vietnam H'ra'

Alternate Names:

Rotala 'H'ra', Rotala 'Vietnam', Vietnamese Rotala, Rotala sp. 'Vietnam', Rotala sp. 'H'ra', Rotala rotundifolia 'Vietnam H'ra', Rotala rotundifolia 'Vietnam', Rotala rotundifolia 'H'ra'

The vivid, crimson-red Rotala 'Vietnam H'ra' is both spectacular and surprisingly undemanding; a great reason to get CO2!

Care At-A-Glance

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate


Type: Stem plant with short internodes


Size: 1” - 8”


Native Range: Southeast Asia (Vietnam)


Aquarium Position and Usage: 

  • Midground and background are placement most common. 

  • Can be trimmed and “trained” for idea height and bushiness. 

  • Coloration commands a lot of attention and looks best with more traditional green plants nearby. 

  • High light and CO2 can result in short “creeping” growth.


Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast


Lighting: 3/5 - 5/5 (Moderate - High)


Water Hardness: 1dGH - 12dGH (very soft to moderately hard)


Temperature: 72 - 82 (F)


pH: 6.5 to 7.5 (Slightly acidic - neutral)


CO2: Required for density and coloration


Substrate: Nutrient rich (Amazonia, Flourite etc…) with small to medium grain size. 2” - 3” minimum.


Propagation: Cuttings from side shoots or axial roots can be re-planted in the substrate - frequent trimming promotes shorter, bushier growth.


Special requirements: CO2 injection is required for the best growth as this plant looks best in dense stands. Good lighting will bring out the most dramatic coloration. Uses a lot of Iron.


Emersed growth: Suitable and easily acclimates to emersed growth; usually grows in reddish-bronze.


Detailed Information

Overview

Native to Vietnam, Rotala ‘Vietnam H'ra’ stands out in the aquatic plant hobby as one of the most visually striking plants (along with Rotala macrandra, Ludwigia palustris, etc…).


Its intense, vivid orange-to-crimson-red coloration, slender, feathery soft leaves, and dense bushy growth habit have made it understandably one of the most favored high-tech plants - enhancing the beautiful shape and form of the standard Rotala rotundifolia with astounding coloration.

References and Further Reading

Kasselmann, C. (2003). Aquarium plants. Krieger Publishing Company.

Hiscock, P. (2003). Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. Barron's Educational Series.

Walstad, D. (2013). Ecology of the Planted Aquarium: A Practical Manual and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist. Echinodorus Publishing.

James, B. (2003). The Simple Guide to Planted Aquariums. T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

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