Ludwigia Repens

Ludwigia Repens

This North America plant has striking dark red leaves and stalk. It provides a great colour contrast to the green shades in the aquarium.

Ludwigia repens benefits from regular addition of CO2, iron rich fertilizers, and trace elements.

Plant in large groups to enhance the decorative effect, and prune regularly to encourage bushy growth. It will grow either partially or fully submersed. In its fully submersed form, its spade-shaped leaves range in color from dark green to brownish-red. The top of the leaves are typically olive green in color, whereas the undersides are reddish-brown to deep red.

Ludwigia Repens (Water Primrose) has few demands, but if light is insufficient the lower leaves tend to fall off. In strong light the colour becomes more intense.

This plant has very strong roots, so you can use almost any kind of substrate. However, it is better not to use sand, as this can suffocate the roots. Also, if your substrate does not have nutrients you have to consider using chemicals to “feed” the plant, at least in the first few months. This will help it create a strong root system and you will not have to struggle with its maintenance in the future.

The more light this plant has, the more intense its color will be. Therefore, to keep it healthy and growing you should provide at least 2.5 watts of light per gallon and make sure the plant does not stay in the shade. To take things even further, you can keep the nitrate levels at approximately 5 ppm and high phosphate levels. This will help with the pigmentation of the plant and it will grow much faster.

Fertilizer is not required, but you will get a much healthier looking plant if you use root tabs.