Ludwigia Repens Aquarium Plant: Care & Growing Guide
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When you have a lovely aquarium or pond to maintain, you want it to look as natural as possible—but you also want it to have character. Adding live plants to your seascape adds personality and appeal. When you’re on the hunt, you probably have some tank criteria that will make or break your luck with various aquatic plants.
If you’re thinking of adding the gorgeous Ludwigia Repens to your setup, we are going to go over all the facts about this aquatic plant. Let’s learn how to care for this “beginner’s luck” beauty.
Useful Information About Ludwigia Repens
| Family Name: | Onagraceae |
| Common Names: | Ludwigia Repens, Water Primrose |
| Origin: | Americas |
| Color: | Dark green, dark brown, brownish red, deep red |
| Size: | 12–20 inches |
| Growth Rate: | Fast |
| Care Level: | Easy |
| Lighting: | Moderate |
| Water Conditions: | Soft, slightly acidic |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 10 gallons |
| Supplements: | Not necessary |
| Placement: | Mid-ground, background |
| Propagation: | Easy |
| Compatibility: | Peaceful fish |
Ludwigia Repens Appearance
Ludwigia Repens is an interestingly pretty aquatic plant that grows in many water conditions. This plant can grow fully or partially submerged, so it makes a good candidate for many setups.
If the plant is fully submerged, it develops heart-shaped leaves of varying colors. Your plant might be a dark lagoon green, brownish mahogany, or even a deep red. Light intensity is the primary determining factor when it comes to overall plant color.
Ludwigia Repens look fabulous as a standalone plant—or in combination with many others. It is a mat-forming perennial plant that can grow up to 20 inches in the right environments. These plants do have flowering potential, sprouting small yellow four-petaled blooms.
The stems of your plant will grow leaves down to the base. These plants might sprout what are called aerial roots, shooting out of the stem nodes. They require a nutrient-rich substrate to take hold and flourish.
Where to Find It?
You can find Ludwigia Repens for purchase at many aquatic stores and online shops. Some people prefer to go physically where they can see how healthy the plant is before buying.
Some others feel more comfortable ordering from convenient online sites. Several reputable companies have stellar standings with customers with shipped plants.
You can expect to pay around $2 to $15, depending on how healthy they are and how many you get.
General Care
Ludwigia Repens are terrific plants to toss in a splash of color to your tank. Many aquarists like this plant because it’s lush, healthy, and easy to grow.
Whether you are experienced or just starting out, you can try your hand at having this plant. You just need the right environment to get the ball rolling.
Habitat, Tank Conditions & Setup
Tank/ Aquarium Size
To grow efficiently, Ludwigia Repens needs at least a 10-gallon tank to thrive, but it can live in much larger spaces. If you place these plants in the shallow areas of your pond, they make charming additions for outside setups, too.
Water Temperature & pH
One terrific aspect of the Ludwigia Repens is that they grow well in both soft and hard water. They do best in temperatures of 75 °F to 79 °F, but they can tolerate as low as 59 °F.
Substrate
Luckily, Ludwigia Repens roots very well, so you can use your choice of substrate. Try to avoid sand since it packs tightly, potentially suffocating the plant.
Compatible Plants
Ludwigia Repens can coexist nicely with many freshwater aquarium plants. They aren’t incredibly invasive, so they won’t choke out healthy plants. As long as the two plants share the same water specifications, they should match nicely with many potential seascapes.
Lighting
For best results, the Ludwigia Repens needs an intensely well-lit area, as it thrives on light. This is how their leaves gain their most vivid colors. They require at least 3 watts per gallon.
Filtration
Ludwigia Repens filters water very well—both in a tank or a pond setting. They’re also a food source for some water dwellers.
Supplements
Having high iron in the tank will make colors more brilliant. You can add Co2 injections to help the plant grow densely, but it isn’t a requirement.
The 4 Planting Tips for Ludwigia Repens
Ludwigia Repens plants do very well in aquariums, so if you follow a small set of tips, you should have success.
1. Choose a Suitable Substrate
Ludwigia Repens anchors effortlessly, so you can plant it in many types of substrate. For optimal growth, nutrient-rich soil is best.
Avoid sand entirely. Sand packs tightly and can suffocate the plants. If you already have sand, you might want to think about switching it out or choosing another plant.
2. Obtain 4-5 Stocks to Start
You can gather up to four or five stem stocks for planting. You can keep them nearby each other, but make sure there is enough room for each to grow comfortably. Plant each stem approximately one inch deep in your chosen substrate
3. Easy Propagation
When the Ludwigia flowers, the stems have to stick out of the tank. The seeds then fall off of the flowering parts and back down to the bottom, where they take hold. If you want to propagate, snip the tips off the flowering sections and plant accordingly.
4. Control Plant Color
Ludwigia Repens can change color depending on how much light it gets. The higher the light, the redder the leaves. This trait gives you a lot of creative freedom. You can set up a darker, greener theme, or you can produce lovely red tones—it’s ultimately up to you.
The 5 Benefits of Having Ludwigia Repens in Your Aquarium
1. Adds personality and texture
Ludwigia Repens has a very unique leaf production and texture. It will add dimension and volume to your existing plant life.
2. A great option for beginners
Ludwigia Repens is extremely easy to manage, especially if you aren’t familiar with finicky plants quite yet.
3. Works in singular or multi-plant tanks
Ludwigia Repens looks fabulous as a single plant in the tank or among other plant friends. The red Repens can spruce up an otherwise green tank with some color.
4. Boosts oxygen levels
Ludwigia Repens takes the carbon dioxide in the tank and releases oxygen for your fish.
5. These plants can flower
Not only do you have brilliant red stalks, and sometimes leaves, you also have yellow flowers that can develop.
Concerns About Ludwigia Repens
Ludwigia Repens doesn’t get as vibrant in a darker tank. If you have to have minimal lighting because of other life in your water, this plant will still grow—just not as extravagantly.
If you have aggressive fish, they might damage this plant. Ludwigia Repens works best in tanks that have a low-key atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
If you want to add a little personality to your aquarium but don’t want the extra hassle—the Ludwigia Repens would be a charming addition to your tank or pond. It’s colorful, hardy—and it’s even a food source for some water life. Plus, it thrives in hard or soft water.
If you’re looking to buy, you can find this plant online and in aquatic shops. You can choose whatever method you feel most comfortable with.
Related Read:
- 15 Best Flowering Aquarium Plants – Reviews & Top Picks
- 10 Easiest Freshwater Aquarium Plants for Beginners – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: Bagoes MJ, Shutterstock
