Ludwigia Cuba

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

Also known as Ludwigia inclinata 'Cuba', Cuban Ludwigia, Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata Kasselmann

FreshwaterStemCuttings

Care at a glance

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

Overview

A high-tech collector stem for the background that needs strong light, pressurized CO2 (roughly 25 to 40 mg/L), soft water, and a full macro plus micro fertilizer routine to hold its color and fine whorled form. It grows fast when happy but sulks and blackens if any parameter dips, so stability matters more than pushing extremes. Trim and replant the healthy tops rather than leaving cut stumps, which tend to melt.

In the wild

This is a specific geographic form of Ludwigia inclinata collected from the Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) off Cuba, near Cayo Piedra. In the wild it grows in soft, acidic, mineral-poor water, which is why it demands very soft conditions in the tank. The 'verticillata' name refers to its whorled leaf arrangement, with narrow leaves radiating around the stem.

Good to know

Despite being a water plant, Ludwigia belongs to the evening-primrose family (Onagraceae), not to any grass or Rotala group. Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata was formally described by Christel Kasselmann, and the 'Cuba' form is one of several regional variants (others include 'Pantanal' and the green/'Tornado' forms). Under strong light and CO2 the whorled leaves twist and take on orange-to-red tones; starve it of any one factor (light, CO2, or nutrients) and it reverts to broad, sparse green leaves.

Did you know

Did you know that cutting a stem of Ludwigia Cuba can make the rooted lower portion blacken and rot, so aquascapers usually pull the whole plant, keep the best top section, and replant that instead of trimming in place?