• Stem plant
  • Difficult
  • High light
  • CO₂: required

Rotala wallichii

Difficult stem plant for high light. It needs added CO₂. It is used in the midground and background. Growth is fast, and it is rated difficult to keep.

Single source · Reviewed Oct 3, 2026

Buy from $6.99

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Rotala wallichii stems with fine needle-like orange-red leaves in a home aquarium
Rotala wallichii stems with fine needle-like orange-red leaves in a home aquarium

At a glance

Plant type
Stem plant Midground, Background
Light
High
CO₂
Required
Difficulty
Difficult Growth rate: Fast
Height
6–12 in (15–30 cm)
Water
Not recorded pH 6–7.5
Leaf color
  • Red
Propagation
Cuttings
Botanical name
Rotala wallichii

In the tank

Our sources don't record anything else about this plant in the tank.

Origin

Native to Asia

Sources

Where to buy

Prices rechecked daily
  • Buce PlantBunch

    Lead Bunch

    Check availability

    $6.99Checked Nov 14, 2026
  • Buce PlantTissue culture cup

    20plant

    Check availability

    $12.99Checked Nov 14, 2026

Prices checked Nov 14, 2026.

All photos

  • Rotala wallichii stems with fine needle-like orange-red leaves in a home aquarium
    Rotala wallichii stems with fine needle-like orange-red leaves in a home aquarium

Questions

Does Rotala wallichii need strong light?

Rotala wallichii grows in high light.

Does Rotala wallichii need CO₂?

Yes. Without added CO₂ Rotala wallichii tends to stall and melt.

Where does Rotala wallichii go in the tank?

Rotala wallichii is used in the midground and background.

See also

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Lobelia cardinalis flower spike with red flowers Photo: sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0 Lobelia cardinalis Easy stem plant for medium and high light. MediumEasyForeground
Ludwigia repens stem with reddish leaves and white water roots, under water Photo: Show ryu., CC BY-SA 3.0 Ludwigia repens Medium stem plant for medium light. MediumMediumMidground

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Alternanthera reineckii with deep red-purple leaves growing densely in a container Photo: V C balakrishnan, CC BY-SA 4.0 Alternanthera reineckii Medium stem plant for medium and high light. MediumMediumMidground
Alternanthera reineckii Mini, a low bushy group of small red leaves in an aquarium foreground Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' Medium stem plant for medium and high light. MediumMediumForeground
Alternanthera reineckii Rosanervig stems with pink-red leaves in a home aquarium Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosanervig' Medium stem plant for medium and high light. MediumMediumMidground

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