Ludwigia ovalis 'Pink' Care Guide
Ludwigia ovalis 'Pink' is a low-growing stem plant from East Asia with rounded ovate leaves that turn pink-orange under strong light.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Ludwigia ovalis is a low-growing stem plant native to East Asia. The 'Pink' selection develops rounded to ovate leaves that take on a pink-orange tone under intense light. Unlike most cultivated Ludwigia species, which carry opposite leaves, L. ovalis bears alternate leaves (one per node). In its natural habitat it grows in cooler waters or on very moist soil, with a creeping growth habit.
Taxonomy
- Family: Onagraceae
- Genus: Ludwigia
- Scientific name: Ludwigia ovalis 'Pink'
Habitat
The species occurs across East Asia, including China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan (Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu). It is found in cooler waters and on very wet to moist soil, where it spreads with a creeping habit. The plant can grow emersed as well as submerged.
Growth requirements
- Light: high (medium to high reported)
- CO2: beneficial, around 25-40 mg/l reported; not strictly mandatory
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Growth rate: medium
- Maximum height: about 35 cm
Placement
The low, creeping stems suit the midground and foreground of an aquarium. The pink-orange coloration contrasts well with light green background plants. Intense leaf color is favored by strong lighting and by limiting nitrate and phosphate.
Propagation
Ludwigia ovalis is propagated by cuttings taken from lateral or top shoots, which are replanted into the substrate where they form roots.
Propagating Ludwigia ovalis 'Pink'
Overview
Ludwigia ovalis 'Pink' is a stem plant in the family Onagraceae with rounded, oval leaves that flush bright pink on top under strong light. Unlike the fine-leaved verticillate ludwigias, it has a creeping, round-leaved habit, but it is propagated the same way as other Ludwigia: by stem cuttings, and the cultivar reproduces true to the parent.
Propagation Method (Cuttings)
Multiply 'Pink' by cutting and replanting stem tops. Removing the apical bud encourages lateral buds along the internodes, so individual stems branch and become bushier; higher light, CO2 and nutrients all promote more side shoots. Aquatic stems take replanting well and regrow roots quickly.
Step-by-Step
- Cut the top 5-10 cm off a healthy, colored stem.
- Strip leaves from the lowest 2-3 cm of the cutting.
- Replant the bare base into aquasoil, leaving room for the round leaves.
- Keep the rooted parent base in place to push out side shoots below the cut.
- Grow out and re-top the new shoots to thicken the group.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
'Pink' colors up under high light: around 80 PAR and above gives better color and more side shoots, with very high light (roughly 150 PAR at the substrate) producing the densest, most vivid stands. At least some CO2 (10 ppm and up) improves both coloration and branching, though it tolerates lower-tech setups when given iron-rich fertilization. It can grow emersed or submersed.
Trimming & Maintenance
Trim roughly every two weeks. Top the stems and replant the cut tops to maintain height and build stock; alternatively, snip only the longest individual strands to even the canopy while keeping the bush's shape and prolonging it before overcrowding. Replanted cuttings root quickly.
Common Challenges
- Green, pink-less tops usually mean light is too low; raise intensity to bring out color.
- Sparse, unbranched stems improve with more light, CO2 and nutrients to trigger side shoots.
- Submersed growth differs from the emersed form, so converting stems may shed early leaves before adapting.
Propagating Ludwigia ovalis 'Sumatra'
Overview
Ludwigia ovalis 'Sumatra' is a Sumatran form of Ludwigia ovalis, a stem plant set apart from most Ludwigias by its rounded, oval leaves on creeping stems. Under strong lighting the upper leaves shift from green toward pinkish-red and deep red, giving a distinctive ombre effect. As a cultivar it is propagated only from cuttings, so new plants are clones of the parent and behave the same way.
Propagation Method (Cuttings)
Ludwigia ovalis is propagated by stem cuttings, like the rest of the genus: cut a top section, strip the lower leaves and replant it. When pruned, the base shoots out one or two new stalks that grow toward the surface and then spread horizontally, so a single topping both renews the parent and gives a cutting to plant elsewhere.
Step-by-Step
- Cut the top 5-10 cm of a healthy stem just above a leaf node.
- Strip the leaves off the lower portion of the cutting so a bare section can be buried.
- Plant each stem at least 5-8 cm deep, even if the substrate covers the lowest leaves, so it anchors and roots.
- Space cuttings close together for a fuller, bushier group.
- Leave the trimmed base in place: it will push one or two new shoots toward the light.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
Give Ludwigia ovalis 'Sumatra' plenty of light and liquid fertilizer for faster growth and vibrant color. The rounded leaves only blush pink-red in higher light; in lower light they stay green. At least some CO2, around 10 ppm and up, improves coloration and helps the plant branch into a denser bush after repeated pruning. A nutrient-rich substrate suits its fibrous roots, and it accepts a broad range of soft-water parameters.
Trimming & Maintenance
Top the stems regularly and replant the trimmings to multiply the plant. Because color sits on the crown, frequent trimming keeps the planting low, bright and compact. Stem cuttings root within a few days under good conditions, and the creeping habit means it can also be guided to fill a midground patch.
Common Challenges
- Green instead of pink leaves usually means light is too low; raise intensity or thin the group.
- Leggy, sparse stems point to shading from an overgrown stand.
- Slow or sparse growth improves with added CO2 and regular liquid fertilizer.
- Emersed growth produces different leaves; the round submersed form needs steady underwater conditions.