Key Characteristics:
- Appearance: The plant features narrow, elongated leaves that can range in color from light green to deep red, depending on lighting and nutrient availability.
- Growth Pattern: It grows vertically and branches readily, making it a suitable choice for midground or background placement in an aquarium.
- Size: Typically grows 10–30 cm tall and spreads 2–3 cm wide per stem.
Care Requirements:
- Lighting: High light intensity promotes its red coloration. Under low light, the leaves tend to stay green.
- CO₂: Supplemental CO₂ injection is recommended to enhance growth and coloration.
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Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 20–28°C (68–82°F)
- pH: 5.5–7.5
- Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water.
- Nutrients: Requires a nutrient-rich substrate and regular dosing of fertilizers, especially iron, to maintain its vibrant colors.
Propagation:
Rotala H'ra propagates through stem cuttings. Simply trim the top portions of healthy stems and replant them in the substrate.
Special Tips:
- Frequent trimming encourages bushier growth and prevents the lower stems from becoming leggy.
- Providing a good balance of light, CO₂, and nutrients will bring out its full potential in aquascaping designs.
