Ludwigia Palustris Red

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Marsh ludwigia; Red ludwigia; Marsh seedbox; Hampshire purslane

Synonyms

Ludwigia palustris 'Red'

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa

Habitat

Marshes, pond margins, slow-moving streams and wet meadows, growing emersed and submersed in nutrient-rich substrates under direct sunlight

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Stem

Max height

4 – 16 in (10 – 41 cm)

Spread

6 in (15 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

64 – 82 °F (18 – 28 °C)

pH

5.5 – 7.5

GH

2 – 20 dGH

PAR

30 – 80 PAR

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Red, Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

Something wrong or missing? Submit a correction

Care guide

Overview

Suited to planted community tanks where a keeper wants a manageable red-toned stem plant without demanding CO2 setups. Sold in bunches of 10-12 stems, its pale red, oval-edged leaves deepen with stronger light and nutrients. Tolerant of varied water chemistry, it roots quickly from cuttings for ongoing propagation.

Care

A tolerant stem plant that adapts to a wide range of water chemistry and lighting, making it a good candidate for both beginner and planted community tanks. Red coloration is only reliable under moderate to high light with good nutrient availability, particularly iron and nitrogen; under weak light the foliage stays green or dull and internode spacing increases. Regular trimming of the growing tips keeps the plant bushy and encourages new side shoots, and CO2 injection is not mandatory but noticeably improves density and color saturation.

Planting & trimming

Rinse away any rockwool or cotton from the base before planting, then insert individual stems or small bunches directly into the substrate with aquascaping tweezers, spacing them a couple of inches apart to allow for bushy growth. It roots readily from cuttings, so as the plant grows tall, top portions can be cut and replanted while the leggy lower stem is discarded or trimmed back hard. Aerial roots may form along the stem and can be left in place or trimmed off without harming the plant.

Fertilizing

Ludwigia palustris is a heavy nitrogen and iron consumer when grown under strong light, so regular liquid fertilization or root tabs in a nutrient-rich substrate are recommended to sustain growth and color. Iron deficiency shows up as pale or yellowing new growth, while a shortage of nitrogen can cause thin stems and weak red pigmentation. It feeds from both the water column and its roots, so dosing a complete liquid fertilizer alongside a nutrient substrate gives the most consistent results.

Propagation

Propagation is simply done by cutting healthy stem tips and replanting them into the substrate, where they root within days to a couple of weeks. Regular trimming of the main stems promotes branching and side shoot production, effectively multiplying the number of cuttings available over time. This cycle of trim-and-replant can be repeated indefinitely to keep a continuous supply of new plants.

Problems

Stems can be fragile and prone to snapping during handling or replanting, and sudden shifts in water parameters or lighting often trigger melt or rotting of lower leaves. Insufficient light commonly causes leggy growth with sparse, pale foliage and leaf drop on the lower stem. Algae can become an issue on the leaves if lighting is pushed high without matching nutrient and CO2 supply.

Sources

1. Ludwigia palustris - Tropica Aquarium Plants
2. Ludwigia Palustris: Ultimate Care Guide - Fish Laboratory
3. Marsh ludwigia (Ludwigia palustris) - Scale & Stem
4. Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red' - Tropica Aquarium Plants

More Stem plants

Alternanthera Amabilis TricolorAlternanthera Bettzickiana GreenAlternanthera Bettzickiana RedAlternanthera LilacinaAlternanthera Red Broad LeafAlternanthera Reineckii