February 05, 2025 2 min read
Ludwigia sp. 'Super red' is actually a variety of Ludwigia palustris. It is known by many trade names such as Ludwigia 'mini super red' and Ludwigia sp. 'red' and they all refer to the same plant. There's no such thing as a mini version - plants grown in poor conditions are simply smaller in size compared to plants grown in a more nutritious environment.
Ludwigia 'super red' has been a popular plant in the hobby because it is easy to grow and will easily develop a nice red colour compared to more fussy plants such as Rotala macrandra. The leaves are completely red both above and below. This plant will grow in a wide range of conditions; it is not particularly fussy about water parameters but does require higher light conditions to show good colouration. As a fast grower that is not picky about water parameters, it is a good indicator plant for nutrient levels, which can be supplied either at the root zone or in the water column.
It will grow tall over time and is best used in the middle or background. It should be regularly pruned to form a nice canopy - left to its own devices it tends to grow untidily. As the leaves are loosely formed, larger, bushier clumps give a much better visual effect than individual stems.
Ludwigia sp. 'super red' is the centerpiece in this aquascape. Planted on a slight slope, it has been trimmed frequently to keep it in shape.
Ludwigia sp. 'Super Red' will contrast well with green plants. It is an aggressive grower and can easily be grown next to other aggressive growing plants. It will shade out slower growing plants if not regularly pruned.
Cut the stem at a node some distance below the final height you want the plant to reach. Stagger the cutting height, shorter at the front and taller at the back to create a nice slope. As new shoots appear at the base of the cut stem, cut off any outlying shoots that do not match the slope of the cluster. Over time, this will produce tidy clusters of plants.
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