Rotala H'Ra

Color comes from light. Give Rotala H'Ra strong lighting and it shifts from green to orange, pink, and red at the tops. Adding CO2 and iron deepens the color, and keeping nitrates on the leaner side pushes it warmer. In low light it stays mostly green, so lighting is the main lever if you want the fiery look.

No, but it helps. Rotala H'Ra will grow without CO2, just slower and greener. Pressurized CO2 along with good light and regular fertilizer gives faster growth, tighter internodes, and the strongest orange-red color. Either way it is a rewarding, fast-filling stem plant.

Separate the stems and plant them one at a time in the substrate, spaced slightly apart so light reaches the lower leaves. As it grows, trim the tops to your desired height. The plant branches out from where you cut and gets bushier, and you can replant the healthy trimmings to fill in a group quickly.

Each portion is sold as a bunch of 10 stems. Planting them spread out rather than in one tight clump gives you a fuller stand and better color as they grow in.

It works best as a background or tall midground plant, planted in groups for the most impact. The warm orange-red tops make a striking contrast behind green plants, and because it grows tall and fast it fills vertical space quickly.