Ludwigia Glandulosa (Ludwigia glandulosa) Care Guide
One of the most intensely red aquarium plants when grown under high light with CO2. The deep crimson leaves create a dramatic focal point but require advanced care to maintain coloration.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Ludwigia glandulosa is an aquatic plant in the family Onagraceae. One of the most intensely red aquarium plants when grown under high light with CO2. The deep crimson leaves create a dramatic focal point but require advanced care to maintain coloration.
Taxonomy
- Family: Onagraceae
- Genus: Ludwigia
- Scientific name: Ludwigia glandulosa
- Other names: Red Star Ludwigia, Cylindric-fruit Primrose-willow
Habitat
Native to the southeastern United States. Grows along damp ditches and shallow wetlands. Under strong light and CO2 the submerged form develops dark burgundy to purple narrow leaves; without sufficient light it remains green.
Growth requirements
- Light: high (≥80 PAR at substrate)
- CO2: pressurised CO2 recommended
- Temperature: 22-28 °C
- pH: 6-7
- GH: 3-10 °dGH
- Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil or fertilised gravel
- Nutrient demand: high
- Growth rate: slow
- Difficulty: advanced
Placement
- Recommended placement: midground
- Maximum height: 35 cm
- Trim every: 21 days
Propagation
In cultivation the plant is propagated by stem cuttings (replant the upper portion after trimming).
Propagating Ludwigia glandulosa 'Perennis' from Cuttings
Overview
Ludwigia glandulosa 'Perennis' is a selected line of L. glandulosa, an amphibious plant from the southeastern United States that can grow partially or fully submerged. The leaves turn red or purple under sufficient light and greener when light is insufficient, so this cultivar is grown for the deep red-purple narrow-leaf colour it shows in the mid-to-background of a planted tank.
Because 'Perennis' is a selected cultivar rather than a true species, it does not come true from seed in the aquarium. It is propagated vegetatively from cuttings, which keep the parent's narrow leaf shape and bronze-maroon colouring.
Propagation Method (Cuttings)
Stem plants are propagated by cutting off the top few centimetres of a stem and planting it directly into the substrate; new buds and roots grow from the internodes. Many stem plants only form more lateral buds once the apical tip has been cut, so topping the parent both gives you a cutting and encourages the base to branch and become bushier.
Step-by-Step
- Choose a healthy upper stem and cut the top 5-10 cm with clean scissors.
- Strip the lower leaves so a bare section of stem can be buried in the substrate.
- Plant the cutting into the substrate; roots and buds will grow from the buried internodes.
- Leave the parent base in place so it sends out side shoots and becomes bushier.
- Mature side shoots can later be cut off and replanted once they are a few centimetres long.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
L. glandulosa requires warm temperatures and abundant light, and benefits significantly from phosphates and nitrates; CO2 supplementation is needed for optimal growth. Strong light is what drives the red-purple colour, while too little light reverts the foliage toward green. Provide ample iron and trace elements to sustain the colour as the cuttings establish.
Trimming & Maintenance
Aquatic stem plants take replanting well and regrow root systems quickly, so regular topping is the main maintenance task. Repeatedly cutting the tops keeps the group dense and produces a steady supply of cuttings; over time the tired lower stems can be discarded and freshly rooted tops replanted in their place.
Common Challenges
The main challenge is colour: without enough light, CO2 and iron the foliage drifts toward green and the cultivar loses its appeal. Submersed and emersed forms can also differ, since emersed (above-water) growth on Ludwigia tends to be stiffer and less richly coloured than the submerged form, so allow newly submerged cuttings time to convert.
Propagating Ludwigia glandulosa from Cuttings
Overview
Ludwigia glandulosa belongs to the family Onagraceae and is native to the southeastern United States, where it grows in wetlands, swamps and roadside ditches. It is an amphibious plant that can grow partially or fully submerged and reaches roughly 40 cm.
It is often sold under false names such as 'Ludwigia perennis' or 'Ludwigia peruensis'. In the aquarium it is more demanding than most other Ludwigias and grows relatively slowly, producing strong, largely unbranched upright shoots.
Propagation Method (Cuttings)
Ludwigia glandulosa is propagated by cuttings. Because the upright stems are hardly branched, you create new plants by topping and replanting the cut sections rather than relying on heavy self-branching.
Step-by-Step
- Cut the top 5-10 cm from a well-coloured stem just above a node.
- Strip the lowest leaves to expose clean nodes for rooting.
- Push the cutting a few centimetres into a nutrient-rich substrate.
- Plant a group of individual stems of different heights a few centimetres apart for a natural look.
- Keep the parent base in place to harvest any new basal shoots later.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
Strong lighting, a complete macro- and micronutrient supply through both the water column and substrate, and CO2 addition are recommended. Optimal temperature is about 22-25 °C within a tolerated range of roughly 10-27 °C.
Colour is light-driven: under a lot of light the leaves turn a strong wine-red, while under less light they become more olive-green with a wine-red underside. Ample iron supports the deepest red.
Trimming & Maintenance
Trim by topping the slow-growing stems and replanting the healthy tops to renew the group. Spacing stems of varied heights keeps light reaching lower leaves so colour stays even through the stand.
Common Challenges
Loss of red and a shift to olive-green signals insufficient light or iron. Its slow growth and high demands make it sensitive to fertilization gaps, so keep CO2, macros and micros steady before expecting strong colour.