Ludwigia brevipes

Care at a glance

Overview

An easy narrow-leaf stem best used in the midground, where its fine texture reads differently from broad Ludwigias. Strong light is the single most important factor for compact, colorful growth; CO2 is not required but gives denser bushes. Propagate by taking cuttings, which root in one to two weeks.

In the wild

Native to the southeastern United States, where it grows in boggy areas and along the Atlantic coastal plain from Virginia through the Carolinas and into Florida. As a New World species growing in its native range it is not considered invasive there.

Good to know

A member of the primrose-willow family, Onagraceae. It is a genuine narrow-leaved Ludwigia rather than a trade hybrid, distinguished from the more common broad-leaved Ludwigia repens by its slim, willow-like leaves. Coloration is nitrate and light driven: green under low light and high nitrate, shifting to orange-red under strong light and low nitrate.

Did you know

Did you know you can dial Ludwigia brevipes from green to orange-red just by lowering nitrate and raising the light, without changing anything else.

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