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Form of Ludwigia inclinata

Ludwigia Cuba

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

One of 4 forms of Ludwigia inclinata · See all forms →

Also known as Ludwigia inclinata 'Cuba', Cuban Ludwigia

FreshwaterStemCuttings

Forms · Ludwigia inclinata

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Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ required
Temperature
64–86°F
18–30°C
Max height
15.7 in
40 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Background
Type
Stem
pH
4.5–7.0
Hardness
0–8 dGH
Spread
4.7 in (12 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Difficult
Family
Onagraceae
Origin
Cuba (Isla de la Juventud, near Cayo Piedra)

Overview

Ludwigia Cuba is a difficult collector stem plant for the background of a high-tech tank. It is a form of Ludwigia inclinata with fine, whorled leaves.

Did you know

Ludwigia Cuba is a water plant, yet it belongs to the evening primrose family, Onagraceae. It has nothing to do with any grass or Rotala group.

Caring for Ludwigia Cuba

Set the stems of Ludwigia Cuba into the substrate one at a time. It feeds through both its roots and its leaves, so it needs a full macro and micro fertilizer routine, with root tabs near the roots.

It needs strong light, pressurized CO2 at roughly 25 to 40 mg/L, and soft water to hold its color and fine whorled form. Keep the water soft and acidic, with a pH of 4.5 to 7 and a GH of 0 to 8. Under strong light and CO2 the whorled leaves twist and take on orange to red tones. Starve it of light, CO2 or nutrients and it reverts to broad, sparse green leaves.

It grows fast when happy, so expect to trim it often. Pull the whole plant, keep the best top section and replant that, rather than trimming in place. Cut stumps left in the substrate tend to blacken, rot and melt.

It sulks and blackens if any parameter dips, so stability matters more than pushing extremes. It tolerates 64 to 86°F (18 to 30°C).

Good to know

Ludwigia Cuba is sold as Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'. Christel Kasselmann formally described the variety verticillata, a name that refers to the whorls of narrow leaves radiating around the stem. The 'Cuba' form is one of several regional variants, alongside 'Pantanal' and the green 'Tornado' forms.

In the wild

Ludwigia Cuba is a geographic form of Ludwigia inclinata. It was collected on the Isla de la Juventud, the Isle of Youth off Cuba, near Cayo Piedra. In the wild it grows in soft, acidic, mineral-poor water.

Common questions

Is Ludwigia Cuba a different species from Ludwigia inclinata?

No. Ludwigia Cuba is a form of Ludwigia inclinata. It reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm), against 19.7 in (50 cm) for the species. It also differs in hardness, placement and spread.

Does Ludwigia Cuba need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does Ludwigia Cuba need CO2?

Yes. Ludwigia Cuba needs injected CO2 to grow well, and it usually struggles without it.

How much light does Ludwigia Cuba need?

Ludwigia Cuba needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Does Ludwigia Cuba need root tabs?

They help. Ludwigia Cuba takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Ludwigia Cuba?

Ludwigia Cuba propagates by cuttings. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it. The rooted stump often blackens and dies, so do not count on it for new shoots.

How tall does Ludwigia Cuba grow?

Ludwigia Cuba grows to about 15.7 in (40 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

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