Rotala rotundifolia 'Ceylon'

Rotala rotundifolia 'Ceylon' is a refined and fast-growing variant of the widely popular Rotala rotundifolia species. Characterized by its thinner, more delicate stems and lighter green to pinkish foliage, the 'Ceylon' variety is known for its graceful, arching growth and ease of cultivation. It offers a soft, flowing texture to aquascapes and is ideal for creating volume and movement in the midground to background.

In aquascaping, Rotala 'Ceylon' stands out for its elegant appearance and adaptability. Unlike some red Rotala species, it leans toward green to soft pink hues, which can intensify with high lighting and good nutrient availability. Its fine structure and dense growth make it a popular choice for Dutch-style layouts or for creating natural, bushy clusters in Nature Aquarium designs.

This plant grows quickly under medium to high lighting and benefits from CO₂ injection for optimal form and color. It thrives in nutrient-rich environments with regular dosing of macronutrients and micronutrients. Frequent trimming not only maintains its compact shape but also encourages lateral shoots, resulting in a fuller appearance.

Rotala 'Ceylon' is particularly beginner-friendly among stem plants due to its forgiving nature and resilience during transitions. It’s ideal for aquarists looking to add subtle color variation and texture without the higher demands of red Rotala types.

Care Tips:

• Substrate: Grows well in most planted substrates; root tabs optional but beneficial.

• Lighting: Medium to high; stronger lighting enhances pink hues and compact growth.

• Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Nutrients: Medium to high; responds well to balanced macro and micronutrient dosing.

• Propagation: Easy via stem cuttings; replant trimmed tops to create dense groupings.

Growth: Fast
Lighting: Medium to high
Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Nutrients: Medium to high
Difficulty: Easy