Ludwigia Super Red

Quick facts

Max height

30 cm

Growth rate

moderate

Difficulty

intermediate

Placement

midground, background

Propagation

stem cuttings

Water parameters

Temperature

20–28°C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Hardness

2 to 18 dGH

Cold water

tolerated (unheated setups)

Light and nutrients

Lighting

high

CO2

not required, but boosts growth and color

Substrate

nutrient preferred

Feeding

feeds from both water column and roots (liquid ferts plus root tabs)

Substrate

What this plant roots into (or attaches to). The substrate affects both plant nutrition and water chemistry; see each linked page for full effects.

This plant feeds primarily from the water column, so substrate choice matters more for its fish-tank compatibility than for plant nutrition.

With fish

Plant-eating fish

safe with plant-eating fish (tough leaves or unpalatable)

Diggers (corydoras, loaches)

fine - root system or attachment style handles it

Root-disturbing fish

tolerates fish that disturb roots

Habitat

A cultivar of Ludwigia palustris (or possibly L. repens x L. palustris hybrid, provenance is debated) selected for intense, uniform red coloration throughout the entire plant under high light conditions. Not found in the wild; this is a nursery-selected form. The leaves, stems, and even roots display vivid red to dark crimson coloring under optimal conditions, making it one of the most intensely colored red stem plants available. Introduced to the aquascaping hobby in the 2010s, 'Super Red' has become very popular for adding bold color to planted tanks. Often sold as tissue culture specimens from major aquatic plant producers.

Care notes

More demanding than standard Ludwigia palustris or L. repens for maintaining the vivid red color that justifies the 'Super Red' name. High light (60+ PAR at the plant) is essential; under moderate light, the red fades to brownish-green and the plant looks no different from standard Ludwigia. CO2 injection at 20-30 ppm is strongly recommended. Iron supplementation is critical: both liquid iron in the water column and iron-containing root tabs produce the best results. The intense red coloration is dependent on the combination of high light, CO2, iron, and moderate (not excessive) nitrate levels. Very high nitrate (above 20-25 ppm) can green-up the plant even under high light. Keep nitrate in the 5-15 ppm range for the most vivid red. Plant stems in groups of 5+. Growth is moderate. Trim and replant tops. Temperature: 18–28°C. pH 6.0-7.5. Under optimal conditions, the uniform crimson coloring is dramatic and provides a bold color accent that few other plants match. Under suboptimal conditions, it reverts to looking like unremarkable green Ludwigia. This is a plant for keepers who have their high-tech setup dialed in. Propagation by stem cuttings, same as other Ludwigia. The cuttings root quickly when pushed into substrate. Available from specialty aquatic plant retailers and tissue culture producers. Compared to Alternanthera reineckii (another popular red stem), Super Red Ludwigia is faster-growing and slightly easier to maintain but requires more consistent iron dosing.

Further reading

• How to cycle a fish tank
• Water chemistry for fishkeepers: pH, GH, KH, and what they mean