Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan'

Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan' key facts

Growing Difficulty

Intermediate

Lifespan

Perennial; maintained by replanting cuttings

Size

Leaves 1.5–2 cm long, 0.5–1 mm wide

Temperature

22〜28℃

Watering

Needs CO2 and steady fertilisation including iron

Lighting

Needs medium to strong light; unobstructed light reddens the tips.

CO2 & Fertilizer

Thrives in CO2-rich water. Keep iron up and fertilise steadily; erratic feeding causes stunting and blackening.

Water Temperature & Quality

Optimum 22–28°C in soft water at pH 4.5–7.5.

Substrate & Attachment

Plant in groups in the substrate; suits the midground and small tanks.

Trimming & Propagation

Cutting back produces many side shoots; replant tops to propagate.

Cautions

It has been sold as 'Mayaca sellowiana', which is a different plant; watch for variant spellings too. Never release plants into the wild.

About Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan'

Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan' is a fine-leaved Taiwanese stem plant with whorls of 3-6 needle-thin leaves that blush red under strong light and iron; an intermediate-level plant that thrives long-term through regular trimming and replanting.

7 things to know before growing Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan'

1. 1Give It Strong Light

   Without enough light, the stems tend to stretch out and stay uniformly green, so place it in the middle to upper part of the tank where it gets plenty of light. Combined with iron dosing, strong light is what brings out the soft red blush at the growing tips.

2. 2Feed Iron Regularly

   Because the leaves are so fine, nutrient deficiency doesn't always show obvious signs, so dosing iron-rich fertilizer on a regular schedule helps keep the color and leaf density healthy. A steady feeding routine is key to coaxing out that reddish tint at the tips.

3. 3CO2 Helps It Thrive

   As a fine-leaved stem plant, it holds a tighter, bushier shape when grown with CO2 injection rather than stretching out. It can still grow without added CO2, but expect noticeably slower, looser growth.

4. 4Trim Before Planting

   Since the stems carry densely whorled, needle-thin leaves, trimming away the lower leaves before planting makes it easier to push the stems into the substrate. Planting several stems together lets the whorled leaves intertwine into a fuller, natural-looking clump.

5. 5Replant to Renew It

   As a perennial, it can be kept going indefinitely by cutting the tip once the lower leaves start dying back and replanting that cutting in the substrate, a technique that keeps refreshing the stock. Trim back overgrown sections on a regular basis as well.

6. 6Prefers Soft, Acidic Water

   It tends to do best in slightly soft, mildly acidic water, and leaves can come in smaller under very hard or high-pH conditions. Keeping water parameters stable is important for maintaining its delicate leaf form.

7. 7Choose Stems Wisely

   Look for stems with a full whorl of three to six leaves at each node and tightly spaced growth, which establishes faster after planting. Once it arrives, avoid strong water flow until the roots take hold, and keep it in a calm environment while it settles in.

Frequently asked questions about Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan'

Q.Is this suitable for beginners?

A.This is considered an intermediate-level plant, so it's best attempted once you're comfortable with the basics of lighting, CO2, and iron dosing. Once you get the hang of its care, it grows much like other stem plants.

Q.Why aren't the tips turning red?

A.The reddish color tends to appear only when both light and iron are sufficient, so weak lighting or inconsistent iron dosing will keep the plant green. Try reviewing your light intensity and fertilizing schedule.

Q.How often should I replant cuttings?

A.It's time to replant once the lower leaves start dying back and the stems look leggy. The exact timing varies with growth speed and conditions, but cutting the tip and replanting it keeps the stock healthy.

Q.Is CO2 injection required?

A.It's not strictly required, but CO2 injection makes it easier to keep a compact, bushy shape instead of leggy growth. If you grow it without added CO2, just expect slower growth overall.

Q.Can it be planted alongside other Rotala species?

A.Combining it with other Rotala species in the same layout is a common approach. Since its needle-thin leaves are its defining feature, pairing it with varieties that have larger leaves creates an appealing contrast in texture.

Handy Growing Tools for Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan'

Learn more about Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan' in the encyclopedia

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