Rotala Indica

Native to parts of Asia, Rotala indica is a compact stem plant that's been a staple in planted tanks for decades. Its round, slightly cupped leaves grow in pairs along upright stems, giving it a tidy, layered look that works really well in the midground or as a transitional plant between shorter foreground species and taller background plants.

Under moderate lighting it stays a solid green, but push the light a bit higher and you'll start seeing reddish or pinkish hues creeping in, especially on the undersides of the leaves and newer growth. It's one of those plants that rewards a little extra attention without punishing you for not providing it.

CO2 injection isn't strictly necessary, but growth noticeably picks up when it's available. Regular trimming keeps it bushy rather than leggy. You just clip the top portion and replant it, and within a few weeks you've got a full, dense cluster.

One thing worth mentioning: this plant is frequently mislabeled in stores as Rotala rotundifolia, which has narrower leaves and grows more aggressively. If your plant looks slightly different than expected, that's probably why.

Browse aquascape builds using this species and you'll see how versatile it really is.