In this guide, George Farmer explores some of the most popular Ludwigia species, explaining how to care for them, along with some practical tips to help you achieve healthy growth and the best possible colour in your planted aquarium.
Whenever I'm asked to recommend an easy yet colourful stem plant, I immediately think of the Ludwigia genus. With around 80 species found in the wild, Ludwigia offers something for almost every planted aquarium, from simple low-tech layouts to demanding high-tech aquascapes.
Native to the Americas, Ludwigia species naturally grow in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from fully submerged during wet seasons to marshy bogs during drier periods. This remarkable adaptability, combined with their attractive foliage and vibrant colours, has made them one of the most popular groups of stem plants in the aquarium hobby.
In this guide, we'll explore some of the most commonly available Ludwigia species, how to care for them, and how to get the best colour and growth in your aquarium.
Why Choose Ludwigia?
Ludwigia plants are prized for their fast growth, colourful leaves, and versatility. They are stem plants, making them easy to trim, propagate and shape into attractive bushes within an aquascape.
Ludwigia growing in Florida - Photo by George Farmer
Most species perform well under moderate lighting, although stronger lighting encourages richer reds and oranges. Supplemental CO₂ isn't always essential for the easier varieties, but it noticeably improves growth, colour intensity and overall plant health. As lighting increases, nutrient dosing becomes increasingly important to avoid deficiencies.
Ludwigia species generally prefer soft to moderately hard water with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, although many adapt well to a broad range of aquarium conditions
Before You Buy: Understanding Emersed Growth
Most Ludwigia sold by aquarium retailers are grown hydroponically in commercial greenhouses. This means they're cultivated emersed (above water) rather than submerged.
Photo by Tropica Aquarium Plants
After planting in your aquarium, they'll gradually transition to their underwater growth form. During this adjustment period it's perfectly normal to see some older leaves melt or die back while new submerged foliage develops.
Good lighting and CO₂ injection helps to speed up this transition, but patience is just as important. Remove dying or algae-covered leaves and wait for healthy new shoots to appear.
Some suppliers also sell Ludwigia in tissue culture (in-vitro) cups. These plants often adapt more easily to submerged conditions and are free from pests and algae, making them an excellent option when available.
As with any aquarium plant, always buy the freshest specimens possible.
Related article: 5 Easy and Beautiful Stem Plants For Your Aquascape.
Five Favourite Ludwigia
Below I pick out my top 5 Ludwigia species, outlining when to use them and how to grow them successfully in your aquarium.
Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red'
One of the most popular aquarium stem plants available today, Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red' is celebrated for its intense crimson foliage.
High lighting and good nutrition help produce its deepest colours, although it can still perform surprisingly well in lower-tech aquariums if provided with adequate light.
Unlike many stem plants that grow predominantly upwards, 'Super Red' readily produces side shoots. This naturally creates a bushier appearance with regular trimming, making it ideal for midground planting in larger aquariums or background use in nano tanks.
Photo by Tropica Aquarium Plants
Quick facts
- Growth rate: Moderate to fast
- Position: Midground or background depending on aquarium size
- Lighting: Moderate to high
- CO₂: Beneficial but not essential
- Temperature: 18-28°C (64-82°F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- Best feature: Brilliant deep red colour that contrasts beautifully with green plants.
Ludwigia palustris 'Green'
For aquascapers looking for contrast rather than colour, Ludwigia palustris 'Green' is an excellent choice.
Its vibrant green foliage pairs particularly well alongside darker greens or red stem plants. Interestingly, despite its simpler appearance, it tends to be slightly more demanding than 'Super Red' and grows more slowly.
Like its red counterpart, it naturally develops multiple side shoots, allowing it to form compact, bright green bushes in the midground.
Photo by Tropica Aquarium Plants
Quick facts
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Position: Midground
- Lighting: Moderate
- CO₂: Optional but improves growth
- Temperature: 18-28°C (64-82°F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- Best feature: Creates fresh green contrast among colourful stem plants.
Ludwigia repens 'Rubin'
If you're after larger leaves and rich burgundy tones, Ludwigia repens 'Rubin' is an excellent option.
Under moderate lighting the leaves often remain greener, but stronger lighting and CO₂ bring out deep red and burgundy shades. Compared with L. palustris, it has larger leaves and a more upright growth habit.
Regular trimming keeps stems compact and prevents the plant becoming leggy.
Photo by Tropica Aquarium Plants
Quick facts
- Growth rate: Fast
- Position: Midground or background
- Lighting: Moderate to high
- CO₂: Beneficial
- Temperature: 20-28°C (68-82°F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- Best feature: Rich burgundy foliage in well-lit aquariums.
Ludwigia glandulosa
Among the most striking Ludwigia species, Ludwigia glandulosa develops deep purple-red leaves that make an outstanding focal point.
It's also one of the most demanding species. Long-term success requires strong lighting, consistent CO₂ injection and a nutrient-rich environment.
Its relatively slow growth makes it suitable even for smaller aquariums, while its unique colour and leaf shape reward experienced aquascapers prepared to meet its needs.
Photo by Tropica Aquarium Plants
Quick facts
- Growth rate: Slow
- Position: Midground
- Lighting: Very high
- CO₂: Essential
- Temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- Best feature: Stunning purple-red foliage for high-end aquascapes.
Ludwigia inclinata 'Cuba'
For something truly different, Ludwigia inclinata 'Cuba' combines fine, star-shaped leaves with vivid orange-red colouration.
It's also one of the most demanding Ludwigia species, requiring intense lighting, abundant nutrients and consistent CO₂ injection.
Once established, however, it grows rapidly and is best suited as a background feature in larger aquariums, where regular trimming is needed to maintain its shape.
Photo by Tropica Aquarium Plants
Quick facts
- Growth rate: Fast
- Position: Background
- Lighting: Very high
- CO₂: Essential
- Temperature: 22-30°C (72-86°F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- Best feature: Unique orange tones and elegant star-shaped foliage.
5 Tips for Growing Healthy Ludwigia
1. Provide enough light
Most Ludwigia species need moderate to high lighting to develop their best colours. Low light often leads to pale leaves, elongated stems and leaf loss near the base.
2. Consider adding CO₂
Although some species grow well without it, CO₂ dramatically improves colour, growth rate and overall health, especially in demanding varieties like Ludwigia glandulosa and Ludwigia inclinata 'Cuba'.
3. Feed regularly
Healthy Ludwigia depends on a steady supply of macro and micronutrients. A quality liquid fertiliser is usually sufficient, while nutrient-rich substrates provide an additional boost.
Some aquascapers slightly limit nitrogen to intensify red colours, but excessive restriction can weaken plants and stunt growth.
4. Maintain stable water conditions
Ludwigia adapts well to many aquarium conditions but performs best in soft to moderately hard water with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Most species grow perfectly well in typical UK tap water provided lighting and nutrients are adequate.
5. Trim often
Frequent pruning encourages denser, bushier growth. Healthy cuttings can be replanted to propagate new plants and quickly create fuller groups. Use sharp clean aquascaping scissors for best results.
When disposing of unwanted stems, never release them into natural waterways. Always dispose of aquatic plants responsibly to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Photo by Shutterstock
Why Responsible Disposal Matters
Several Ludwigia species are considered invasive outside their native range. Once established in rivers, lakes and canals, they can outcompete native vegetation and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
Ongoing research into non-native Ludwigia species in British waterways is helping scientists better understand their spread and develop effective control measures. Responsible disposal by aquarium keepers plays an important role in protecting local environments.
Pass cuttings and spare plants onto fellow hobbyists if you can, but if you do need to throw them away, add them to the compost heap, or leave them in a bucket the sun to fully dry out and die before throwing them away.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're building your first planted aquarium or refining a competition aquascape, there's a Ludwigia suited to your experience level.
Beginner-friendly options like Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red' deliver reliable colour with relatively little effort, while more demanding species such as Ludwigia glandulosa and Ludwigia inclinata 'Cuba' offer spectacular rewards for advanced aquascapers.
With the right combination of light, nutrients, regular pruning and, where appropriate, CO₂ supplementation, Ludwigia species can become one of the most eye-catching features in any planted aquarium.