Rotala indica ‘Bonsai’ 1-2-Grow!

Origin: India
Usage: Midground
CO2: Medium
Light: Medium – High
Care: Medium
Growth Form: Stem
Growth Rate: Medium
Height: 2 – 8”
Width: .5”
Temp: 68 – 86F

Achieve stunning aquarium success with 1•2•Grow!—premium young plants cultivated in Tropica’s laboratory and guaranteed free from snails, algae, and pesticides, ensuring safety for sensitive shrimp and fish. These compact plants are ideal for small to medium aquariums, arriving ready to divide into portions for broader coverage. With proper CO2 and fertilizer, they deliver lush, dense growth, rewarding your patience with a vibrant aquascape. Choose 1•2•Grow! for clean, healthy, and hassle-free aquarium plants that elevate your aquatic environment.

How To Use:

1. Carefully take the plant out of the cup and thoroughly rinse off the growing media (agar) in a container of water.
2. Split the plant in 6-8 portions using your fingers or sharp scissors. Definitely use sharp scissors to separate any small foreground plants.
3. Plant the portions into the substrate using tweezers, then watch them grow!

Rotala indica ‘Bonsai’ is a highly compact, slow to moderate growing stem plant prized for its neat structure and fine-scale detail, often compared to a miniature version of Bacopa caroliniana. Its small, rounded leaves grow densely along sturdy, upright stems, making it ideal for nano aquariums and carefully trimmed layouts. When planted in small groups and trimmed regularly, cuttings can be replanted to create a fuller, bushier cluster or even a low carpeted effect. Under high lighting, the stem tips develop subtle reddish tones, while lower light encourages larger leaves and a looser, less compact growth habit.

This plant is the true Rotala indica, a distinct species that entered the aquarium trade under the name Ammannia sp. ‘Bonsai’ and was formally identified in 2009. Unlike Rotala rotundifolia, which has long been mislabelled as R. indica, this species grows strictly upright underwater with thick stems, dense foliage, and characteristic rounded leaves with translucent margins. Rotala indica ‘Bonsai’ prefers strong lighting and a nutrient-rich environment to maintain its compact form and coloration, and it performs best as a structured midground group in planted aquariums. Its tidy growth, suitability for small tanks, and refined appearance make it a favorite among aquascapers seeking precision and balance in their layouts.