Plant Profile
Diamond Ludwigia is a stem plant that takes its name as a personal challenge to be the most eye-catching thing in your tank. Even in a lower-tech setup, it shows up with olive-to-golden leaf tops and ruby-red undersides, adding depth to the midground without breaking a sweat. Give it high-intensity lighting, pressurized CO2, and iron supplementation, though, and it goes all in, turning into a deep, saturated purplish-red centerpiece that refuses to share the spotlight. Cluster 10 to 12 stems together, and you get a centerpiece that makes every green plant nearby look like it's just there for contrast.
*Form Notice: Photos display this plant in both its emersed (above-water) and submerged forms. Depending on nursery availability and seasonality, you may receive this plant in either form. Learn more about what to expect by reading our guide on Emersed vs. Submerged-Grown Aquatic Plants.
Key Features & Benefits
- Dual-tone leaves transform into purplish-red under high light and CO2.
- Oval, pointed leaves create a bold focal point when planted in dense clusters.
- Produces delicate yellow flowers when cultivated in emersed setups or paludariums.
Care & Planting Instructions
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Remove lead weight (or pot) and 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 high-intensity lighting. Pressurized CO2 injection and regular liquid iron dosing are highly recommended to yield optimal growth and bring out its brilliant ruby and purplish-red tones. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants.
- Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden environmental shifts to prevent leaf melt or stem rotting.
- Trim main stem tops with straight scissors once stems reach the desired height, and replant trimmings directly into substrate to propagate and expand your 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 peruensis / Ludwigia glandulosa 'Diamond' |
| Common Name(s) |
Diamond Ludwigia, Ludwigia Diamond, Ludwigia Peruensis |
| Family |
Onagraceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy |
Stem Plant |
| Care Difficulty |
Moderate |
| Light Requirement |
High |
| CO2 Requirement |
Recommended (Essential for deep purple-red coloration) |
| Placement / Usage |
Midground / Background Focal Point |
| Height / Size |
6–8”+ |
| Growth Rate |
Moderate |
| Water Parameters |
pH 6.5–7.5 |
| Propagation Method |
Cuttings (Cut stem and replant tops) |
| Origin |
Cultivar / North America |
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 get Diamond Ludwigia to turn a deep purplish red?
While Diamond Ludwigia can stay green or orange under moderate conditions, achieving its signature deep purplish-red coloration requires high light intensity, pressurized CO2 injection, nutrient-rich soil, and regular supplementation of liquid iron.
3. How do I transition Diamond Ludwigia 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.
