Why is my Ludwigia repens staying green instead of turning red?

This is almost always due to insufficient light intensity. The plant requires medium to high light and a good supply of iron in the water column to produce its trademark deep red and purple pigments.

Why are the bottom leaves falling off my stem plants?

Lower leaf drop is usually caused by the upper leaves shading the bottom ones, preventing them from getting enough light. Trimming the tops and spacing the stems out slightly when planting can solve this.

Do I need to inject CO2 to grow this plant?

No, Ludwigia repens is very hardy and will grow reasonably well without added CO2. However, injecting CO2 will drastically increase its growth rate, stem thickness, and vibrant colouration.

How do I make my Ludwigia repens look bushier?

Regular pruning is the key. When you cut the top off a stem, the remaining plant will usually sprout two new branches from the cut node. Repeating this process creates a dense, bushy appearance over time.

Can I grow this plant floating at the surface?

Yes, although it is a rooted stem plant, it can survive floating. However, it will rapidly grow disorganised tangles of aerial roots and may shade out the rest of your aquarium.

FreshwaterPlantsBeginner

Ludwigia Repens

Ludwigia repens

A popular, fast-growing stem plant highly valued for its striking contrast of red and green leaves.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 15 – 30 °C
pH range: 5 – 8
Hardness: 2 – 20 dGH
Adult size: 20 – 50 cm
Suitable for nano tanks and larger: 20 litres+
Lifespan: 1 – 5 years
Diet: Photosynthetic
Water flow: Low to Moderate
Preferred setup: Nutrient-rich substrate highly recommended to support fast growth.

About the Ludwigia Repens

Ludwigia repens is a staple in the aquarium hobby, hailing from the Americas. It is highly valued for its ability to add vibrant reddish hues to the midground or background of a planted aquarium without demanding expert care. Its creeping growth habit in the wild translates to rapid vertical growth when fully submerged, making it an excellent filler plant. It provides lush architectural structure to the aquascape and an engaging contrast to standard green foliage.

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Where Ludwigia Repens comes from

Native range

North America, Central America

Countries / regions

United States, Mexico

Habitat

Shallow, slow-moving or stagnant waters including ponds, ditches, and the margins of lakes.

Widespread across the southern US and south into parts of Central America, heavily naturalised elsewhere.

Similar species

Ludwigia palustris
Ludwigia palustris
Ludwigia glandulosa
Ludwigia glandulosa
Alternanthera reineckii
Alternanthera reineckii

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Peaceful fish that deeply appreciate the cover and shaded areas provided by dense stems.
Great
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Shrimp will actively forage for biofilm and micro-organisms on the leaves without damaging the plant itself.
Great
Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus spp.
Delicate algae grazers that will keep the broad leaves clean without causing any structural harm.
Great
Silver Dollar
Metynnis argenteus
Herbivorous species that will eagerly devour the soft leaves of Ludwigia as a quick snack.
Not recommended
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Known to uproot stems while foraging in the substrate and may consume the tender foliage.
Not recommended

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