Ludwigia Palustris (Ludwigia)

Ludwigia palustris (water purslane or marsh seedbox) is a versatile aquatic and semi-aquatic perennial plant native to the Americas and Eurasia, highly popular in the aquarium trade—especially the vibrant 'Super Red' cultivar.

Characteristics & Appearance

Growth habit:

• Stem plant growing 10 to 30 cm tall.
• Spreads via creeping stems that root at the nodes.

Leaves:

• Opposite, oval-to-lanceolate leaves.
• Submerged leaves are smaller and change from green to deep, striking red or orange under optimal conditions.

Flowers:

• Inconspicuous, petal-less green flowers form in the leaf axils when grown above water (emersed).

Care & Cultivation in Aquariums

Difficulty:

• Generally considered an easy, adaptable red stem plant for beginners.

Lighting:

• Moderate to high lighting is required to bring out intense red coloration.
• Lower light results in greener, leggier growth.

Nutrients & CO2:

• Thrives in a nutrient-rich substrate with regular macronutrient and iron dosing.
• CO2 injection significantly boosts coloration and robust growth, though it can survive without it.

Propagation:

• Easily propagated by trimming the top stems and replanting them into the substrate to encourage a dense, bushy shape.