Rotala Macrandra ‘Mini Butterfly’ – WCA

Rotala Macrandra ‘Mini Butterfly’ is a delicate aquarium stem plant known for its vibrant red to magenta hues and dense form. Macrandra cultivars have been a longtime favorite for the aquascaping community—they come in a variety of colors, sizes, shapes and difficulty levels. Unlike Rotundifolia, Macrandra variations can be temperamental and will quickly reflect the conditions in a planted tank.

Start with soft water, stable CO2 injection and high lighting. Rotala Macrandra ‘Mini Butterfly’ is best suited for high tech tanks and will also need a quality liquid aquatic plant fertilizer for proper growth and good color. Adjusting a main element, like lighting or nutrients, will produce different results. On top of this, keeping all parameters consistent is a must as any dips or fluctuations will easily cause stunted growth. If successful, it is a fast growing stem plant that will be a visual gem in any aquascape. When planting, be sure to give each stem enough space for even light distribution and uniform growth.