Ludwigia palustris ‘Super Red’
Ludwigia palustris ‘Super Red’
QUICK NOTES:
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Stem
Size: 10 – 30 cm in height; 2 – 4 cm in width
Position and Usage: Midground to background placement
Growth rate: Moderate to fast
Lighting: 2/5 - 5/5 - Higher lighting brings out a redder color
Water Conditions: 18 - 28° C
CO2: Recommended but not required
Propagation: Cuttings
Description
L. palustris is a common and adaptable stem plant native to boggy habitats around the world, including shallow ponds and other stagnant to slow-moving waters. It can be grown both submersed and emersed. L. palustris ‘Super Red’ is, true to its name, an especially red L. palustris variant. Unfussy, it makes a great pick for those who want a colourful accent or focal point in a low tech set up. Its oval leaves grow in alternating pairs along tilted, sometimes horizontally-creeping stems. Given moderate lighting, these leaves take on beautiful red hues; while powerful lighting and CO2 supplementation are not strictly necessary, both will amplify foliage intensity.
This plant can grow quickly in comparison to some other L. palustris variants and may need to be trimmed semi-regularly; healthy ‘Super Red’ specimens may exceed 30 cm in height. Trimming will result in dense, bushy growth. It should be noted that if lighting, CO2, or nutrients (most especially iron) are insufficient, growth can be healthy but foliage may be orange or golden in colour.
