Propagating Ludwigia Super Red from Cuttings

Ludwigia 'Super Red' is a selected red form of Ludwigia palustris, sold under several trade names such as 'mini super red' and Ludwigia sp. 'red' that all refer to the same plant. It is prized for…

Overview

Ludwigia 'Super Red' is a selected red form of Ludwigia palustris, sold under several trade names such as 'mini super red' and Ludwigia sp. 'red' that all refer to the same plant. It is prized for being both easy to grow and intensely red. Because it is a colour-selected cultivar of L. palustris rather than a separate species, it is propagated in exactly the same way as the parent, and its care closely follows that plant.

It is not fussy about water parameters but does need higher light to reach its signature deep red. The plant branches willingly, so a few cuttings quickly become a bushy red group. Like its parent it grows both emersed and submersed, adapting after replanting.

Propagation Method (Cuttings)

Super Red is propagated by cuttings. It branches readily and can be easily replanted and multiplied through the cut-offs. Higher light and the presence of at least some CO2 cause the plant to produce more side shoots and branch out more, building denser bushes after repeated pruning.

Step-by-Step

1. Cut the stem at a node some distance below the final height you want the plant to reach.
2. Take a top cutting of about 5 to 10 cm and remove the lowest leaves to bare the stem.
3. Replant the bare base firmly into nutrient-rich substrate.
4. Leave the cut base in the tank so it branches into new side shoots.
5. Stagger cutting heights, shorter at the front and taller at the back, to create a slope.

Conditions for Healthy Growth

Strong light is the key to colour: it can grow at lower light such as around 40 umols PAR but needs roughly 70 to 80 umols PAR or more for good red colouration and more side shoots. It can be grown without CO2 injection, yet at least 10 ppm of CO2 improves colour and branching. Well-balanced fertilisation matters, and higher nutrient levels yield more branching and side shoots; reds in particular benefit from iron.

Trimming & Maintenance

Frequent pruning is what builds a dense red bush: each trim removes the leggy top and encourages the base to branch. Cut at a node below your target height, and use the removed tops as new cuttings. Very high PAR tends to push more horizontal and faster growth, so adjust trimming cadence to keep the group compact.

Common Challenges

The most frequent problem is weak colour, which comes from too little light or insufficient nutrients rather than from the cutting itself. Without enough iron and overall fertilisation the deep red dulls toward green. Insufficient CO2 limits branching, leaving thin, sparse stems instead of full bushes.

Ludwigia Super Red is propagated identically to its parent Ludwigia palustris, since it is simply a colour-selected form of that species. Take a healthy top cutting, strip the lower leaves, replant the bare base in rich substrate and let the original base branch into new shoots. The real work is in the conditions: strong light around 70 to 80 umols PAR, at least some CO2, balanced fertilisation and iron are what turn easy-to-grow stems into the vivid crimson bush this plant is known for. Trim often, reuse the tops, and the group thickens with every cycle.