Sunset-purple rotala (Rotala ramosior) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Lowland rotala, Toothcup
Family
Lythraceae (loosestrife family)
Origin
North America
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
15–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium to high light; CO2 helpful

Care

Rotala ramosior, called lowland rotala in North America, is an aquatic or semi-aquatic herb of lakes, streams and irrigation ditches. Its branching stems reach about 40 cm, with opposite, narrow to oval leaves up to 5 cm long and single small pink to white flowers in the leaf axils. Wikipedia notes it is sometimes grown in aquaria. Plant stems in groups in the midground and give good light, where the leaves take on purple or reddish tones. As a plant of temperate and subtropical America it tolerates a wide temperature range. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotalaramosior); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Take top cuttings and replant them; it also sets seed.

Compatibility and tank mates

Soft tips may be grazed by plant-eating fish. Suits planted community tanks, both tropical and cooler.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.