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Rotala Red Cross (Rotala ramosior / Rotala sp. 'Araguaia Red Cross')

Rotala Red Cross (Rotala ramosior / Rotala sp. 'Araguaia Red Cross')

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Amount: Bunch

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$9.00

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Aquatic Plants

Rotala Red Cross

A rare stem plant with slender, spiky leaves and a striking colour gradient -- light green at the base transitioning through yellow to vivid orange-tipped upper leaves. One of the most distinctively coloured Rotala variants in the hobby.

Green-to-Yellow-Orange Colour Gradient Slender Spiky Leaves Ascending Stem Plant CO2 Recommended High Light Mid-Background Placement

Rotala Red Cross (Rotala ramosior / Rotala sp. 'Araguaia Red Cross') is a rare stem plant with a distinctive growth form and an unusual colour expression for the Rotala genus. Where most Rotala variants trend toward pink, red, or orange-red under high light, Red Cross produces a three-stage gradient -- light green at the lower stem, transitioning to yellow through the midsection, with vivid orange-tipped upper leaves on the most recent growth closest to the light. The leaves themselves are slender and spiky, emerging from an ascending stem in a form that reads as more delicate and textural than the broader-leaved Rotala rotundifolia variants. This combination of fine leaf structure and warm yellow-orange gradient makes Red Cross a genuinely distinctive mid-to-background stem plant in an aquascape context -- it provides colour contrast without the solid-red density of Rotala macrandra or H'ra, and the yellow-orange tips catch light in a way that draws the eye toward the upper reaches of the tank. CO2 and high light are strongly recommended for the best colour expression. Safe with all Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp.

RecommendedCO2
72–82°FTemperature
HighLighting

The Green-Yellow-Orange Gradient

Three-stage colour gradient -- green base, yellow midsection, orange-tipped upper leaves -- the colour expression of Rotala Red Cross is gradual and continuous rather than a single-tone response to light. Lower stem leaves in shaded or older sections of the plant remain light green. As the stem grows toward the light the leaves transition through warm yellow tones, and the newest growth at the tips -- receiving the most direct light -- develops vivid orange tips that give the plant its most distinctive and eye-catching appearance. The full gradient is most visible and most saturated under high light with CO2 and lean nitrates. Slender spiky leaves on an ascending stem -- finer texture than most Rotala rotundifolia variants -- the leaf shape of Red Cross is distinctly different from the rounder, broader leaves of standard Rotala rotundifolia. The leaves are narrow, elongated, and somewhat spiky in character, producing a fine, airy texture along the stem that contrasts well with broader-leaved plants like Anubias or Bucephalandra in the same aquascape. The ascending stem habit means the plant naturally reaches upward toward the light rather than sprawling, making it well-suited to mid-to-background placement. Colour intensity driven by light, CO2, and low nitrates -- the same levers as all red-orange Rotala -- like all Rotala variants that express warm colours, Red Cross reaches its most vivid gradient under high light intensity, consistent CO2 supplementation, and lean water column nitrates (ideally below 10 ppm). Without CO2 the plant remains viable and grows, but the colour gradient is reduced -- the orange tips become yellow-green and the overall effect flattens. Iron and micronutrient supplementation enhances the warm tones of the upper leaf colouration.

Planting & Maintenance

1Plant in groups of 5–7 stems at 1–2cm spacing in the mid-to-background -- Red Cross is most effective as a grouped stem planting rather than isolated individual stems. Plant stems at 1–2cm spacing and allow them to grow as a cluster; the overlapping gradients of multiple stems at slightly different growth stages create a richer and more complex colour effect than a single stem can produce. Use aquarium tweezers to insert individual stems into the substrate without damaging the delicate lower leaves.
2Trim and replant tops regularly to maintain density and gradient -- as stems grow taller the lower sections lose light and the leaves drop, leaving bare lower stems. Trim the top 5–8cm of each stem and replant it directly in front of or beside the parent stem. The parent stem will branch from the cut point, producing a denser bush over successive trims. Regular topping is the primary maintenance practice and the main tool for controlling plant shape and maintaining the gradient at a visible height.
3Provide high light directed at the stem tips for the best orange expression -- the orange tip colouration develops specifically on the newest growth receiving the most direct light. Position the plant where the light reaches the upper stems without significant obstruction from taller or broader plants. In a tank with varied plant heights, Red Cross performs best when it is among the taller background elements rather than shaded by them.
4Dose iron and micronutrients consistently -- the warm yellow-orange tones of the upper leaves are supported by available iron and a full micronutrient profile. Consistent two to three times weekly liquid fertilisation including iron produces more even and more saturated colour than intermittent dosing. Visible colour fading or greening of the upper leaves is usually a sign of micronutrient or iron deficiency rather than inadequate light.
Aquascape Tip

Rotala Red Cross pairs exceptionally well with Rotala Nanjenshan in the same background grouping -- the fine needle-like texture of Nanjenshan and the spiky leaves of Red Cross are similar enough in scale to read as a unified texture mass, while the pink-orange of Nanjenshan and the yellow-orange of Red Cross create a warm gradient across the back of the tank that transitions naturally from one plant to the other. Both respond to the same care parameters, making them easy to manage as a pair.

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Explore our full stem plant selection including Rotala Nanjenshan, Foxtail, and more. Browse our Aquatic Plants collection.

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Policies & Disclaimers
Aquatic plants

Policies & Disclaimers

Choosing your portions, using the plant promotion, and knowing what to expect when your plants arrive.

Buy 2 Get 1 Free: add all three

Choose three eligible plant items and add all three to your cart, including the plant you want free. The discount applies automatically at checkout; no code is needed. Adding only two items does not add a third plant for you.

Mix and match eligible varieties or choose multiple quantities of the same eligible plant. The least expensive eligible item is free. For example, with eligible items priced at $5, $8 and $10, the $5 item is discounted and the plant subtotal is $18 before shipping and tax.

The offer repeats for complete qualifying groups: three eligible items give one free, six give two free, and nine give three free. The current offer has no per-order use limit. Items must be included in the promotion; Plant Weights and other non-plant accessories do not qualify.

An item means the sale unit in your cart. One bunch, cup, portion or multipack counts as one item when purchased at quantity one, not one item for every stem, leaf or bulb inside it. Check the listing and selected option for what each unit contains.

Check the discount and quantities in your order summary before paying. Other promotions can affect the final discount; multiple product discounts do not stack on the same item. This is an online checkout offer, not an automatic in-store POS discount.

Portions, sizes & what you receive

Read this plant’s description and selected option for its sale format, portion size and any stated stem or plant count. A bunch, loose portion, rooted plant, bulb, cup and mounted plant are different products; there is no single size or count that applies to every plant we sell.

A mature height or spread describes potential growth in an aquarium, not the size shipped. Use the advertised purchase portion to plan your order. A full carpet, dense moss-covered surface or established group in a photograph may require several portions and time to grow.

Do not assume that a pot, planting weight, rock, wood, substrate or other display accessory is included unless the listing explicitly says it is. If the received portion appears different from the selected listing, photograph it with its packaging and contact us promptly.

Photos, color & natural variation

Photos illustrate the named plant or variety and its appearance. Living plants vary in leaf size, shape, root development, branching and fullness; a photo of an established specimen is not a measurement of each portion shipped. The product description and selected option remain the reference for your purchase.

Aquarium lighting, camera settings and the growing environment affect perceived color. Red or pink varieties can look different under different lighting and growing conditions. Do not use a photograph alone to select a plant’s care requirements or expect immediate mature coloration.

Above-water growth & the transition underwater

Some aquarium plants can grow with their leaves above water as well as submerged. These growth forms can have different leaf shapes and appearances. New underwater growth may look different from older leaves as the plant adjusts. This explanation does not mean every plant is supplied in the same growth form; follow any specific information in the listing.

Leaf loss or softening after a change of environment is often called melt. Look at the plant as a whole and its growing points rather than judging only one older leaf. Do not assume that a damaged plant is simply transitioning or wait for new growth before reporting an arrival problem.

This is background care information, not a new exclusion from the Live Arrival Guarantee. Arrival damage is assessed under the existing policy.

Planting: match the method to the plant

For stem plants, separate the stems and plant with room between them. For rosette plants, position the roots in the substrate without burying the crown. Remove transport bindings and growing material carefully where appropriate.

For Anubias and Java fern, keep the rhizome exposed rather than burying it. Moss can be divided into smaller portions and attached to suitable hardscape. Floating plants belong at the surface. Bulbs and tubers need species-specific planting depth; do not assume every type should be fully buried.

Keep plants damp while working. Follow the individual listing for placement and care, especially when a plant has unusual requirements. These are planting tips, not additional conditions for a claim.

Growth, tank conditions & choosing companions

Plan for the plant’s mature size, available light and the space it will occupy. A background stem plant, slow-growing rhizome plant and floating plant serve different roles; a purchase portion does not instantly create a finished aquascape.

Use the listing’s guidance on light, nutrients and carbon dioxide rather than assuming every plant needs the same setup. Growth rate and final appearance depend on aquarium conditions and maintenance. More light alone is not a substitute for a balanced setup.

Consider animals that dig, uproot or eat plants before choosing placement. Floating growth can shade plants below it, and fast-growing plants may need thinning. Observe new growth and make gradual, species-appropriate adjustments.

Hitchhikers & introducing plants

Our existing policy does not guarantee pest-free arrival. Plants can carry tiny organisms or eggs, including snail eggs, despite inspection. Inspect new plants before introduction, and consider separate observation or quarantine to protect an established aquarium.

Do not assume a plant is sterile, pesticide-free or safe for a particular treatment unless the listing explicitly provides that information. Sensitive leaves, mosses and roots can respond differently to dips. Research the exact plant and any treatment before using it; do not apply an animal medication or a strong dip by default.

Arrival problems: document and contact us promptly

For damaged or dead plants, email support@superiorshrimpaquatics.com within two hours of the carrier’s recorded delivery time. Use the email address on the order and include all arrival concerns in your first message.

Send clear photographs of the affected plants and their packaging, with the shipping label or invoice visible for identification. Photograph packaging damage before unpacking or discarding materials, and consult the full guarantee’s documentation instructions. Keep the original photos.

The current guarantee covers aquatic plants but excludes promotional or free items. That existing exclusion also matters when ordering a free promotional plant. Claims and available resolutions are assessed under the full policy; this tab does not expand or reduce coverage.

Shipping your plants

Plants ship Monday and Tuesday, with Wednesday shipping available for 2-day or overnight services. Orders remain subject to stock, fulfillment timing and weather holds under our shipping policy. A shipping-service estimate is not a guaranteed dispatch date.

Plan to receive the package promptly and inspect it on arrival. Review the full shipping information for weather precautions, transit expectations and delivery issues. If your cart also contains live animals, review the shipping requirements for those animals as well.

Returns & order questions

Check the plant name, portion, quantity and selected option before completing checkout. Contact us before sending anything back; returns require prior written authorization under our existing policy. The full return policy explains the applicable conditions.

This tab explains the existing offer and policies alongside plant-care guidance. Care tips do not create new claim requirements or exclusions. Refer to the linked policies for complete terms.

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