Rotala Nanjenshan

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Lighting:Medium to High   • Maximum Size: 12"
• Placement: Midground   • Water Conditions: 74-82° F, KH 3-11, pH 5.8-7.5
• Propagation: Cuttings   • Color Forms: Green, Red, Yellow
Supplements: Trace Elements, CO2 Fertilization, Iron, Potassium
• Origin: Taiwan   • Family: Lythraceae

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Rotala Nanjenshan is a plant native to smaller lakes, ponds and slowly moving water ways of Taiwan. The bright green coloration and intricate leaf pattern has made the Rotala Nanjenshan plant a very popular aquarium species. Rotala Nanjenshan typically grows to about 12 inches within the aquarium environment and is considered a mid-ground plant in most aquariums.

Rotala Nanjenshan have stems that grow closely together with small plentiful leaves. This dense growth gives the plant a bushy appearance and is too dense for all but the smallest of fish to swim through. Both the dense growth and its delicate leaves make the Rotala Nanjenshan better suited for aquariums with smaller fish species that will not damage the plants fragile stems.

Rotala Nanjenshan does best in aquariums that maintain a warm water temperature between 76 and 82 degrees and a light output of between 3 to 5 watts per gallon. Full spectrum lighting in the 5700 to 7000 kelvin range brings out the best coloration and growth rate in the plant.

They do well in lighting conditions that vary between moderate to high lighting; however, growth will be slowed in moderate (3 watts per gallon) lighting conditions. Water flow should be in the gentle to moderate range, as strong water flow will often damage the plants delicate structure. Rotala Nanjenshan does best with a dense aquarium substrate of fine gravel between 2 to 3 inches in depth.

Plant cuttings can simply be pushed in to the substrate, where they will in time grow a substantial root structure to hold the plant in place. Lastly, it is recommended to keep Rotala Nanjenshan with smaller fish species or larger fish species that are not overly active swimmers.

Rotala Nanjenshan can easily be propagated through cutting stems off of an existing healthy plant. Simply cut the desired height of plant that you want and strip the leaves off an inch above where the stem will be placed into the substrate. The plant will grow roots from the last node of the stem and will in time establish a complete root system.

In addition to proper lighting, hobbyists should provide a fertilizer containing iron, potassium and trace elements. CO2 will increase growth rate and bring out the full potential of the plant; however, it is not a requirement to grow Rotala Nanjenshan. Hobbyists who do not use CO2 should utilize a dosing product that contains a source of bio available organic carbon; such as, Seachem Flourish Excel or other similar product.