The plant consists of long stems with round or narrow elongated leaves which may carry a characteristic and desirable red hue. Leaves are round if grown above the waterline, otherwise, rotundifolia produces long triangular leaves with a star-shaped top. Its color ranges typically from green to a deep pink-red.

As it matures, R. rotundifolia puts out between 15 to 30 of these leafy stems to produce a shrub-like appearance. It grows well when fully immersed and is able to flower underwater for an attractive underwater appearance.