Rotala wallichii Whorly

Rotala wallichii produces whorls of four to six very fine, needle-like leaves arranged symmetrically around erect stems. In soft, slightly acidic water under high light the leaves develop attractive pink to red colouration. The plant requires CO2 injection to grow robustly and maintain its characteristic compact internodes; without it stems become leggy and colouration is poor. It is a distinctive choice for aquascapers seeking fine-textured contrast against broad-leaved plants.

Light: High (60–100 PAR); required for pink-red pigmentation and compact growth. CO2: Required at 20–35 mg/L; without CO2 internodes elongate and colour fades. Fertiliser: Elevated micronutrients and iron; soft water enhances colour expression. Planting: Background groups of 5–7 stems spaced 2 cm apart; trim every 1–2 weeks. Growth: Moderate; 20–40 cm; re-plant trimmed tops to densify the group.