About trees
Rotala sp. 'Nanjenshan' gets its character from being a stem aquatic plant that branches and changes leaf form between emersed and submerged growth; it belongs to the Lythraceae family. A key feature is its very narrow submerged leaves and pale-green to pink tips, which create a fine clump that moves with the water current. Arranging it so that new growth and the front of the leaves are visible allows these changes to be appreciated fully. Its submerged form may differ from its emersed form, and leaf replacement after planting in an aquarium is a normal adjustment process for many aquatic plants.
Successful cultivation depends on even light, balanced nutrients, and carbon dioxide according to the plant's needs, along with trimming the tips to build a dense clump. Keep water quality stable, remove fallen leaves, and avoid changing several lighting or water parameters at once. It works well planted in groups to create blocks of color and fine rhythm in the midground to background. Keeping the area around the base or clump clean and leaving room for air or water to move through will help new leaves unfurl fully and make the plant easier to maintain.
