Ludwigia Inclinata var. Verticillata 'Pantanal'
Plant Profile
Ludwigia Pantanal is one of the most coveted red aquatic stem plants in the entire hobby! Native to the nutrient-rich, soft-water wetlands of the South American Pantanal, this rare variant features supple central stems enveloped by dense whorls of narrow, needle-like foliage. Under high-tech aquarium conditions, its crown radiates an intense gradient of fiery orange, magenta, and saturated ruby-red. Best suited for advanced hobbyists running high-tech setups, it requires high lighting, soft acidic water, rich soil nutrients, and heavy CO2 injection.
Key Features & Benefits
- Intense ruby-red and orange needle whorls deliver unmatched visual prestige in high-tech aquascapes.
- Fast-growing foliage creates dense, brilliant red hedges when properly pruned.
Care & Planting Instructions
-
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 plant stem clusters 1 inch apart into aquarium soil.
- Provide high lighting and pressurized CO2 injection; consistent fertilization with a specialized liquid macro and micro formula (in soft acidic water) yields robust stem growth and prevents bottom leaf yellowing. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants.
- Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden parameter swings to prevent stem melting or rotting.
- Trim main stem tops with sharp straight scissors once they reach the desired height, and replant trimmings directly into substrate to propagate and thicken the bush. 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 inclinata var. verticillata 'Pantanal' |
| Common Name(s) | Ludwigia Pantanal, Ludwigia Inclinata Pantanal |
| Family | Onagraceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy | Stem Plant |
| Care Difficulty | Advanced |
| Light Requirement | High (Intense light required for red coloration and stem density) |
| CO2 Requirement | Required (High injection in soft water is essential for growth) |
| Placement / Usage | Midground / Background Centerpiece |
| Height / Size | 6–20”+ |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 5.0–6.8 (Soft acidic water preferred) |
| Propagation Method | Cuttings (Cut stem tops or lateral shoots and replant) |
| Origin | South America (Pantanal Region) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are the lower leaves falling off my stem plants?
Lower leaf loss (leggy stems) usually occurs when lighting cannot reach the bottom of the plant due to overcrowding or shading from larger plants. Spacing individual stems slightly apart during initial planting and maintaining strong light penetration will keep lower leaves healthy.
2. How do I achieve a thick, bushy forest with Ludwigia Pantanal?
To encourage Ludwigia Pantanal to form a dense hedge, routinely trim the main stem tops once established. Each cut site will sprout multiple lateral side shoots, doubling the stem density and creating a tight, bushy group.
3. How do I transition Ludwigia Inclinata var. Verticillata 'Pantanal' from emersed to submerged growth?
When transitioning from emersed to submerged growth, plant bare stems securely into rich substrate under high lighting and keep water parameters stable. As new growth adapts, the plant will shed its land foliage and sprout intense purplish-red underwater leaves. Once new shoots develop, trim away old lower growth to encourage dense branching.