Ludwigia Repens

• One of the easiest red plants to grow in the aquarium
• A moderately demanding plant when it comes to CO2 requirements

Appearance

• A popular aquarium plant characterized by its vibrant red and green coloration and sturdy stems. The plant features oval-shaped leaves, typically 2-4 cm in length, which display a striking red top and a deep green underside under good lighting conditions. When well-lit, it tends to grow at an angle over the substrate, creating a visually appealing scape.

Growth rate

• Ludwigia repens generally exhibits a medium growth rate compared to other aquatic plants.

Lighting

• Ludwigia repens thrives in moderate to high lighting conditions. While it can tolerate lower light, it will grow more green and potentially experience leaf drop under low light conditions. For vibrant red coloration, particularly in varieties like 'Super Red' or 'Rubin', strong light and iron supplementation are recommended.

Placement

• A versatile aquatic stem plant that can be placed in the midground or background of an aquarium, depending on the size of the tank and desired effect.

Planting

• Prepare the plants by removing them from their pot, separating the stems, and washing off any growth media like rockwool.
• Use aqua scaping tweezers to plant each stem individually into the substrate, ensuring the bottom leaves are not buried and spacing them apart for optimal growth.
• For better anchoring, consider pinching off some bottom leaves and planting the stem at an angle, or using plant weights.

Algae

• Algae problems in a Ludwigia repens tank often stem from nutrient imbalances, insufficient light, or a combination of factors.
• To combat this, regular maintenance, including water changes and trimming, is crucial, as is ensuring proper lighting and nutrient levels.