TCulture Rotala Sp. Nanjenshan (Pot)

Description

Rotala sp. “Nanjenshan” is a fine-leaved plant with a very bushy growth habit. It comes from Taiwan, where it has only been found in one single location near the town of Nanjenshan. With its millimetre-thick lineal leaves it reminds a lot of Rotala wallichii, but unlike the latter, it is of a light green colour, sometimes with reddish shoot tips. Under lots of light, horizontal to overhanging lateral shoots will form. It was erroneously called “Mayaca sellowiana”, although there is no connection with this Mayaca species. It may look a bit like it, but it is not related. The plant grows to a wide bush when the conditions are favourable. The bushy growth habit can be greatly enhanced by trimming. Rotala sp. “Nanjenshan” grows best under relatively strong light and the addition of CO2.

Family
Lythraceae

Genus
Rotala

Difficulty
medium

Usage
Midground

Aquascaping
fine-leaved

Growth
fast

pH value
4 – 7

Temperature tolerance
4 – 32°C

Carbonate hardness
0 – 21°dKH

General hardness
0 – 30°dGH

Propagation
Cuttings

Can grow emersed?
yes

Rotala sp. Nanjenshan care for SG aquascapers

Nanjenshan is a finer, more demanding cousin of the common rotundifolia, and we treat it as an intermediate plant rather than a starter. Its needle-thin leaves only stay tight and light-green under strong lighting and steady CO2; in low-tech tanks it tends to stretch and thin out. In our shop tanks we run it as a midground bush where its delicate texture contrasts beautifully against broader-leaved anubias or cryptocoryne.

Singapore’s ambient 27-29C sits comfortably within its tolerance, so no heater is usually needed here. We do recommend stable water and consistent dosing, as sudden swings can trigger lower-leaf drop. Plant the stems a few centimetres apart rather than crammed together, giving each shoot light and flow. As it settles, lateral shoots arch outward and fill the gaps into the bushy habit this plant is known for.

See the wider background plants range for companions, and read our Rotala Nanjenshan care guide alongside our stem-plant trim and replant guide to keep it dense.