Ludwigia Brevipes care guide
Ludwigia Brevipes (Ludwigia brevipes) — high light, 20-28 °C, pH 5.5-7, CO2 recommended.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Ludwigia Brevipes (Ludwigia brevipes) is an aquatic plant of the family Onagraceae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. It is typically grown under high light with pressurised CO2 injection on nutrient-rich aquasoil. A graceful stem plant with narrow lanceolate leaves that develop a striking orange-red coloration under high light. Less demanding than many red stems, making it a good intermediate choice for aquascapers seeking color without extreme difficulty.
Taxonomy
- Family: Onagraceae
- Genus: Ludwigia
- Scientific name: Ludwigia brevipes
- Common synonyms: Shortstalked Ludwigia
Habitat
Ludwigia is a cosmopolitan genus of marsh plants (Onagraceae) that grow in shallow standing water, swamps and ditches across the Americas, Africa and Asia. Many species shift from green emersed growth to vivid red coloration once submersed under bright light. In the Aquairi knowledge base, populations associated with this form are recorded from North America.
Growth requirements
- Lighting: high
- CO2: recommended
- Temperature: 20-28 °C (68-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil
- Maximum height: 30 cm
- Growth rate: medium
- Recommended placement: midground
Placement
A background or midground stem plant. Bright lighting, CO2 and abundant macro and micro nutrients are required to develop and hold the red pigments characteristic of many Ludwigia forms. In the Aquairi knowledge base this form is recommended for the midground under high light with pressurised CO2 injection, using nutrient-rich aquasoil.
Propagation
Propagated from cuttings: a healthy tip cutting of 8-10 cm is replanted in the substrate and roots within days. Documented propagation techniques for this entry include: stem cuttings.
Common issues
A switch from intense red to green usually signals a drop in light intensity, iron deficiency or shading by surrounding plants; correcting lighting and macro/micro dosing restores colour.
Propagating Ludwigia brevipes from Cuttings
Overview
Ludwigia brevipes is an easy-to-grow stem plant from the Onagraceae family that suits both soft and hard water. It performs well in the midground and can be pruned into fairly dense bushes. Its color is light- and nitrate-driven: green under low light with high nitrate, shifting toward orange-red under high light with low nitrate.
Propagation Method (Cuttings)
Propagation is done exclusively from stem cuttings. Cutting off the top shoot prompts the plant to branch profusely from the lower internodes, which is how dense, colorful shrubs are created. The detached top is replanted to root and grow as a new stem.
Step-by-Step
- Select a healthy stem and cut the top 5-10 cm with clean scissors, ideally just above an internode.
- Strip the leaves from the lowest section of the cutting so they will not rot once buried.
- Replant the top into nutrient-rich substrate, anchoring it deep enough that it will not float.
- Leave the cut base in place; it will branch from the lower internodes into multiple new shoots.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
Good lighting and fertilization are needed to grow this plant into good shape and color. CO2 injection produces denser bushes with stronger coloration; in non-CO2 tanks the plant grows thinner, with less branching and weaker color. Sustained low nitrate plus high light pushes leaves toward deep red.
Trimming & Maintenance
Regular topping keeps the group compact and encourages lateral branching, so replanting tops steadily thickens a stand into a bush. Trim before stems shade their own lower leaves to maintain even color down the stem.