Rotala / Red Stem Bush care guide
Rotala rotundifolia / Ludwigia palustris · Lythraceae (Rotala) / Onagraceae (Ludwigia)
Rotala / Red Stem Bush (Rotala rotundifolia / Ludwigia palustris) is an aquatic plant. It belongs to the Lythraceae (Rotala) / Onagraceae (Ludwigia) family. It is native to Rotala rotundifolia: Himalaya and India through Indo-China to southern China, Taiwan and southern Japan; Ludwigia palustris: near-worldwide in temperate and subtropical wetlands. It needs medium light. Water temperature: 20°C – 28°C. pH: 5.0 – 8.0. Care difficulty: Easy. Growth rate: fast.
How do you care for Rotala / Red Stem Bush?
| Light | Medium (both grow in low light; strong light, about 0.5 – 1 W/L, is only needed for red/orange tips and compact growth) |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Helpful (low demand; CO₂ deepens the red) |
| Temperature | 20°C – 28°C |
| pH | 5.0 – 8.0 |
| Placement | Midground & background in groups (suits Dutch layouts) |
| Growth | Fast |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Family | Lythraceae (Rotala) / Onagraceae (Ludwigia) |
How do you trim and propagate Rotala / Red Stem Bush?
Cut the longest shoots just above a leaf pair and replant the tops into the group; the stump sprouts side shoots and the bush gets denser. Trim little and often — heavy cuts can upset the tank's balance, and frequent pruning keeps the lower leaves alive.
What problems affect Rotala / Red Stem Bush?
Bare, leafless lower stems from the tops shading the base; green instead of red tops from too little light or high nitrate; hair/thread algae on the tops from nutrient imbalance; pale, stunted new growth from a micronutrient/iron shortage.
How do you fix Rotala / Red Stem Bush problems?
Trim more often, replanting the tops and discarding leggy bases; raise light, add CO₂ and keep nitrate modest; regular water changes and Amano shrimp for algae; dose micronutrients.
Where does Rotala / Red Stem Bush come from?
Rotala rotundifolia: Himalaya and India through Indo-China to southern China, Taiwan and southern Japan; Ludwigia palustris: near-worldwide in temperate and subtropical wetlands (the Americas, Europe, Africa, West Asia) · Biotope regions: South America.
What should you know before buying Rotala / Red Stem Bush?
Rotala rotundifolia is naturalised in Florida, Alabama, south-eastern Brazil and Queensland — never discard trimmings into natural waterways.
Sources
- Rotala rotundifolia — Tropica Aquarium Plants
- Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red' — Tropica Aquarium Plants
- Rotala rotundifolia — Flowgrow aquatic plant database
- Ludwigia palustris — Flowgrow aquatic plant database
- Rotala rotundifolia distributions (WCVP, Kew) — GBIF / WCVP
- Ludwigia palustris distributions (WCVP, Kew) — GBIF / WCVP
- Trimming — Tropica guide
- Planting — Tropica guide
- Fertiliser and CO2 — Tropica guide
- Light — Tropica guide
- Types of algae — Tropica guide
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-09-23.
Which aquascapes and tanks use Rotala / Red Stem Bush?
- Aquarium algae: identify the type and fix the cause
- Balancing light, CO₂ and fertiliser in a planted tank
- Nitrogen cycle in an aquarium: how to cycle a new fish tank
- Dutch aquarium style: plant streets and rules
- Jungle aquascape: plants, layering and setup
- Nature Aquarium style: layout rules and setup
See Rotala / Red Stem Bush in a living world
- Dutch Street Aquascape — aquarium
Last updated · Open the interactive 3D guide · All species care guides