by Tory Jon | Last Updated: November 16, 2022Pond Academy is reader-supported. Buying through links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Rotala, commonly known as Dwarf Rotala or Roundleaf Toothcup, is an aquatic perennial plant, and it will grow in all kinds of conditions, from the rice paddies of Southeast Asia to home aquariums and outdoor ponds!
Rotala has stems that protrude from the water's surface with purple and pink flowers that appear during the Summer bloom period.
This popular pond plant is commonly grown in marginal and boggy areas near the pond's edge. It's excellent at consuming nutrients that would otherwise fuel algae growth, helping to keep your pond water clean and clear!
Live Rotala Rotundifolia Red
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Scientific Name
Rotala Rotundifolia
Common Names
Roundleaf toothcup and dwarf rotala
Plant Type
Marginal pond plant/submerged plant
Light Requirements
Full sun to partial shade
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zone 6 - 13
Bloom
Spring through early Summer
Grow Up To
30+ inches
Flower Color
Purple, pink
How to Plant Rotala in a Pond
To plant Rotala in a pond, anchor the cuttings of the plants in 1-2 inches of the substrate. You can also plant them in containers and place them on a planting shelve in your pond, as they are emergent plants and will grow above the water's surface. This will help contain them as they can grow extremely fast.
Rotala thrives in various depths - from 2 inches to 2 feet - as long as they can get ample sunlight.
For best results, ensure a minimum spacing of 1 inch among Ludwigia plants. This will prevent any direct nutrient competition among them.
Rotala Care Guide
Rotala is extremely easy to grow and care for, but it's also a fast-growing plant, so you'll want to keep it under control and prevent overcrowding by trimming it regularly, making sure to discard the cuttings outside and away from the pond.
Rotala can be left in the pond over winter, as it will simply grow back in Spring. Be sure to trim off any dead foliage and trim the plant down before winter sets in.
Live Rotala Rotundifolia Red
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Rotala Care Card
Download our free printable care card for the Rotala plant! Click the care card below and save the PDF file to your computer. You can easily print off the 3x5 care card or access it right from your phone. Get all the important information you need to keep your Rotala plants healthy and happy!
Plus, we provide a blank card for you to print and fill out yourself. Print it as many times as you like to create cards for all your plants!
Pond Plant Care Card Set
Rotala Plant FAQs
Is Rotala good for ponds?
The good thing about this plant is that it is an incredibly powerful one. It can remove phosphorus and nitrogen from the water, thus cleaning the water area where it grows. Industrial waste, agricultural land, and sewage can all lead to endangering the life of the wildlife and fish that are in touch with that water. Thankfully, the Rotala can make all the difference there.
Can Rotala grow floating?
Rotalla grows best when it is planted in 1 - 3 inches of substrate or tucked into a gravel pocket.
Can Rotala grow in cold water?
Rotala will grow in colder water temperatures, but it prefers a range of 65 to 85 degrees (18 to 30 Celsius).
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