Ludwigia Palustris Super Red
Plant Profile
Ludwigia Palustris 'Super Red' is one of the most popular and reliable red aquatic stem plants in the aquascaping hobby. Native to wetland habitats across North and Central America, this spectacular variety is famous for its intense, solid crimson-red foliage that holds its rich color far more easily than other red stem species. Featuring oval-shaped leaves that grow in alternating pairs along strong upright stems, it easily reaches 7 to 19 inches in height. Ideal for beginners and advanced aquascapers alike, Ludwigia Super Red makes a breathtaking focal point in background zones or Dutch-style plant streets, where its fiery red stems create an unmatched visual contrast against green foliage.
Key Features & Benefits
- Intense crimson-red foliage retains deep ruby coloration even under moderate lighting conditions.
- Fast-growing stem habit easily branches into dense, bushy red thickets when routinely pruned.
- Hardy and adaptable species making it one of the easiest red background plants for hobbyists of all skill levels.
Care & Planting Instructions
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Remove lead weight (or pot) and remove cotton wrap (or foam) surrounding the roots, then strip lower foliage so bare stems anchor cleanly into soil without rotting. *Ludwigia stems can be fragile, so handle with care during preparation.
- Use fine-tip pinsettes to push individual stems 1 to 2 inches into substrate, spacing them slightly apart so light reaches lower leaves.
- Provide moderate to high lighting and clean water conditions; while adaptable, supplying pressurized CO2 injection and regular liquid fertilization rich in iron and micronutrients yields the deepest ruby-red tones. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants.
- Maintain stable water parameters to prevent leaf shedding or stem melt during transition.
- To propagate, simply cut main stem tops or side shoots with sharp straight shears and replant trimmings directly into substrate. Read our trimming & propagation guide for details.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red' |
| Common Name(s) | Ludwigia Palustris Super Red, Ludwigia Super Red |
| Family | Onagraceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Stem Plant |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Moderate to High |
| CO2 Requirement | Optional / Recommended (Yields richer red tones and faster growth) |
| Placement / Usage | Midground / Background Focal Point & Dutch Streets |
| Height / Size | 7–19”+ |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 5.5–7.5 |
| Propagation Method | Cuttings (Cut stem tops or lateral shoots and replant) |
| Origin | Cosmopolitan / North America |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I prep bunched Ludwigia Palustris Super Red before planting?
Remove the lead weight or rubber band along with the foam wrap surrounding the lower roots. Inspect the base of the stems, gently rinse away any debris in room-temperature water, and snip off any bruised stem bases before inserting individual shoots into substrate using pinsettes.
2. How do I make Ludwigia Palustris Super Red look even redder?
While Ludwigia Super Red maintains red coloration better than most species, providing strong lighting, pressurized CO2, and routine supplementation of liquid iron and micronutrients will produce intense, fiery crimson foliage.
3. Can I grow Ludwigia Super Red in a low-tech tank without CO2?
Yes! Ludwigia Palustris Super Red is one of the easiest red plants to keep in low-tech setups. It will maintain a warm reddish hue without CO2 injection, though growth will be slower and leaf size somewhat more compact.