Ludwigia Natans

Sold widely as Ludwigia natans, this is the workhorse red stem plant of the hobby: oval leaves in opposite pairs, green above and coppery underneath, on stems that grow briskly once settled. Be clear about the colour before buying. Ludwigia reddens in response to strong light, and under a modest hood the same plant will simply grow green with a faint bronze cast. That is not a defective plant, and no fertiliser will fully compensate for weak lighting.

Aquarium care

• Plant stems separately, two or three centimetres apart, rather than in the bunch band they arrive in.
• Remove any elastic or lead weight before planting; it crushes the stems underneath.
• Bright light is what drives the red tones. Iron-inclusive fertiliser helps once light is adequate.
• Top and replant to build a dense group; the cut stems will branch.
• Lower leaves drop if the group grows too thick to let light through. Thin it out.

A good background or corner plant for community aquariums with tetras, rasboras, livebearers and peaceful barbs.

This one moves quickly when it is in. Local pickup at our Lethbridge store, with more in the Ludwigia range.