Ludwigia Senegalensis

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Ludwigia sp. Guinea

Synonyms

Ludwigia sp. Guinea

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

West Africa, Guinea

Habitat

Shallow, soft, warm freshwater margins and seasonally flooded areas in tropical West Africa

Sourcing

Both

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Difficult

Growth form

Stem

Max height

4 – 15 in (10 – 38 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

5.0 – 7.5

GH

0 – 8 dGH

PAR

from 50 PAR

Flow

Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Required

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich required

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Red, Orange, Brown, Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Reaches roughly 4 to 15 inches tall as an upright stem plant, with oval leaves marbled in brick-red, copper, and orange over a golden-green base. It demands high light, injected CO2, and a nutrient-rich substrate to hold this coloration, otherwise stretching and fading to plain green. Best kept as a generously spaced group for Dutch-style midground or focal-point plantings, with attentive micronutrient dosing to avoid spotted or deformed new growth.

Care

This is one of the more demanding Ludwigia species, needing high light, injected CO2, and a nutrient-rich substrate to hold its color and grow in a compact form. Under weak light it stretches out and fades to plain green, losing the red and copper marbling that makes it desirable. Stems should be spaced generously so lower leaves still receive light, since shading quickly leads to decline in this species.

Planting & trimming

Plant stems individually into a nutrient-rich substrate, leaving enough space between them for light to reach lower leaves as the group fills in. It adapts to both submersed and emersed cultivation, creeping along the substrate surface when grown emersed and standing upright underwater. Regular trimming of the growing tips keeps the plant bushy and prevents the lower stem from becoming bare and leggy.

Fertilizing

Feeds through both roots and the water column, so a nutrient-rich substrate paired with regular liquid fertilization works best. Iron and trace element dosing should be higher than for typical stem plants to achieve full red coloration across the leaves. Deficiencies show up quickly as black or translucent spots on new growth, which is a signal to increase micronutrient dosing right away.

Propagation

Propagated like other stem plants by cutting healthy side shoots or stem tops and replanting them directly into the substrate. Side shoots form readily along the main stem once established, giving a steady supply of cuttings for filling out a group planting.

Problems

New leaves are prone to developing black or transparent spotting when micronutrients run low, and if the cause isn't corrected the following growth emerges deformed. The transition from tissue-cultured or emersed stock to submersed growth is often rough, with some melting of the original leaves before new growth adapts. Once established in stable water conditions it holds up reasonably well, but sudden swings in CO2 or nutrients can send it downhill within a day or two.

Sources

1. Ludwigia senegalensis care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
2. Ludwigia Senegalensis | Barr Report Forum - Aquarium Plants
3. Ludwigia Senegalensis Live Aquatic Plant | Glass Aqua
4. Ludwigia Senegalensis | APF Aquarium Plants Factory®

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