Rotala indica, commonly known as Indian Toothcup, is an annual herb native to wetlands, marshy areas, and the edges of rice paddies in South and East Asia. It typically grows to a height of 0.2-0.7 feet and spreads 0.5-1 feet. This plant has a delicate, branching form, and its small, greenish-yellow flowers bloom in the spring and summer, though they are not particularly showy. The leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, contributing to its fine-textured appearance in the garden.

Indian Toothcup is valued for its use in aquariums and water gardens due to its fine foliage and ease of propagation. It thrives in wet or submerged conditions, making it suitable for aquatic settings. In terrestrial gardens, it can be used as a ground cover in consistently moist areas. Rotala indica prefers full sun to part shade and requires wet, well-drained soils. While not demanding in terms of nutrients, it benefits from regular fertilization in aquariums. Caution is advised when cultivating this species outside its native range, as it has shown invasive tendencies in some regions.CC BY-SA 4.0