True Rotala indica is not very well-known as aquarium plant. At the moment is it labeled as Ammania sp. “Bonsai” and Rotala bonsai as the trade names, but its flowers have helped identify it correctly as R. indica. The name Rotala indica has been known in the aquarium hobby for a long time, but it was erroneously used for the totally different species Rotala rotundifolia. The unique appearance of Rotala indica can best be described as compact miniature version of Bacopa caroliniana. R. indica is a slow grower; under a lot of light, the shoot tips and stems turn reddish. With its straight hardly ramified thick stems and its roundish leaves it is best planted in a group in the fore- or middle ground of a tank. Rotala indica is especially suitable for smaller aquaria, but a large group of this plant may look nice in a bigger tank, too. Good lighting (at least 0.5 W/litre) and an ample supply of CO₂ and nutrients need to be made sure. Moreover, R. indica should not be planted in the shade.

There is quite a bit of confusion around the name Rotala indica in aquaristics. The reason for this is, that in 1960, Rotala rotundifolia was imported under the erroneous name “Rotala indica”. Even today, especially reddish forms of the very variable R. rotundifolia are sold as “Rotala indica” in trade.
True R. indica, however, is a competely different species that does not play a very important role as aquarium plant. Only recently, the plant sold as “Ammannia sp. ‘Bonsai’ ” has been identified as true Rotala indica. It was also confused with Lindernia sp. “India”.
Rotala indica is widely spread in the warmer regions of Asia and is very often found as annual weed in rice paddies. It has been introduced into other regions of the earth where rice is cultivated, e.g. in Northern Italy.

Family Name : Lythraceae
Origin : Asia
Height :4-8” inches
pH : 5 – 7
Temperature : 18 – 30°C