Ludwigia palustris

Marsh Ludwigia Growing & Care Guide

Marsh Ludwigia is an incredibly vibrant, red-stems plant native to Europe and North America, prized for its ability to develop brilliant deep-red hues even under moderate lighting. It is a fantastic midground contrast plant that grows extremely fast, outcompeting algae and creating lush, colorful backdrops.

Lighting Moderate to High

Water Hardness Aquatic (pH 6.0-7.2)

Substrate Nutrient-rich aquasoil

Water Temp 10°C - 26°C

Toxicity Pet Friendly (Non-toxic)

Botanical macro photography of Marsh Ludwigia (Ludwigia palustris) - Plant AI care database

How to Identify Marsh Ludwigia

Marsh Ludwigia (Ludwigia palustris) has key botanical markers. Recognizing these features is crucial for successful aquascaping and thriving growth.

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Visual Shape & Growth: Vibrant vertical red-green stems covered in opposite, lance-shaped reddish leaves.
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Leaf Morphology: Small, glossy lance-like opposite leaves that turn bright copper-red to deep scarlet under moderate light.
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Root & Anchoring Structure: Fine, robust white anchoring root system shooting from stem nodes.

💡 Plant AI Tip: Take a photo with Plant AI to identify aquatic weeds and diagnose fungal spot diseases in 1 second.

Complete Cultivation & Spawning Guide

Follow our detailed scientific water parameters and care guides to keep your Marsh Ludwigia thriving.

pH: 6.0 - 7.2, GH: 3 - 12 dGH. Prefers soft to moderately soft, slightly acidic water parameters.

Moderate. Can grow in low-tech tanks without CO2, but carbon injection yields far tighter leaf spacing and deeper red colors.

Moderate to high light. Needs decent light to develop its famous copper-red color. Low light will turn leaves olive-green.

Clip stem tops with sharp scissors. Replant the tops in the substrate; the bottom stem will sprout new side branches.

Heavy iron feeder. Responds dramatically to weekly liquid iron dosing to keep leaves deep scarlet and prevent terminal bud decay.

Best planted in nutrient-rich aquasoil. Root tabs should be added to older substrates to support its nodes roots.

Extremely cold-tolerant, surviving between 10°C and 26°C (50°F - 79°F). Perfect for cool community tanks and ponds.

Enjoys moderate, steady water flow to distribute liquid nutrients and keep its leaves free from debris.

Perfect for community setups. Offers shelter and biofilm grazing for dwarf shrimps and nano fish.

Its fast growth outcompetes algae. Keep nutrients balanced and employ Amano shrimp to keep leaves clean.

Best planted in the midground in groups of 5 to 10 stems. Space slightly to ensure lower leaves receive light.

Common Diseases & Treatment

Lower Leaf Drop (Shading)

Symptoms: Leaves on the bottom half of the stem turn yellow and fall off.

Action: Caused by shading in dense bushes. Trim the top canopy regularly to allow light to penetrate downward.

Black Beard Algae (BBA)

Symptoms: Dark tufts of algae form on leaf margins under fluctuating CO2.

Action: Spot treat with liquid carbon or hydrogen peroxide, and improve water circulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Ludwigia Palustris turning green?

Under low light, the plant will lose its red pigment and turn green to maximize chlorophyll absorption. Increase your lighting intensity.

How do I propagate Ludwigia Palustris?

Snip the stem below a node, remove the lower leaves, and insert the cutting into sand or gravel using aquascaping tweezers.

Can it grow out of water?

Yes! In wet soil or bog setups, it grows as a creeping green terrestrial groundcover, blooming tiny green-yellow flowers.

Is it safe for fish?

Yes, Ludwigia Palustris is 100% pet-friendly, non-toxic, and highly favored in community tanks.