Rotala indica is a small Asian stem plant of wet ground and rice fields. The name is used loosely in the trade: plants sold simply as Rotala indica are very often Rotala rotundifolia, and Tropica lists Rotala indica as another name for that species. Tropica sells a cultivar, Rotala indica 'Bonsai', a compact, slow-growing form suited to nano tanks. It reaches about 5–20 cm in two months. Plant it in small groups in the foreground or midground and replant cuttings among them to build a denser clump. Tropica rates it medium difficulty, with medium light (about 0.5 W/L) and medium CO2 (about 6–14 mg/L). Strong light keeps it compact and may turn the tips reddish; in weaker light the leaves grow larger and the plant looser. Trim it often. Tropica does not give water figures. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Cut off the tops and replant them in the group; trimmed stems branch.
Compatibility and tank mates
Soft tips may be grazed by plant-eating fish. Ideal for nano and shrimp tanks.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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