TankBud

Ludwigia glandulosa

Also known as Cylindric fruited ludwigia, Cylindricfruit primrose-willow, Ludwigia perennis, Ludwigia peruensis

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Ludwigia glandulosa (Ludwigia glandulosa)
Andreea Filip · CC BY-SA 2.0

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ required
Temperature
68–82°F
20–28°C
Max height
15.7 in
40 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Background
Type
Stem
pH
5.0–7.0
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Spread
3.9 in (10 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Difficult
Family
Onagraceae
Origin
Southeastern and central United States (North America)

Overview

Ludwigia glandulosa is one of the more demanding red stem plants. Treat it as a slow-growing background or accent plant for a high-tech tank.

Did you know

Ludwigia glandulosa was sold for years under the wrong name, Ludwigia perennis. Older plant lists and labels still carry that incorrect identification.

Caring for Ludwigia glandulosa

Plant Ludwigia glandulosa one stem at a time in a rich substrate, toward the back of the tank. It feeds through both its roots and its leaves, so give it root tabs as well as a liquid fertilizer.

It needs strong light and injected CO2, and it usually struggles without the CO2. Keep up a steady supply of micronutrients and iron to hold its deep red color. Without them it reverts to a dull olive-green and drops its lower leaves.

It grows slowly, to about 40 cm, so be patient with it. Trim and replant the tops to bush it out, and the stumps left behind grow side shoots. Keep the water between 68 and 82°F (20 to 28°C).

Good to know

Ludwigia glandulosa is a stem plant in the family Onagraceae. Its common name, cylindric fruited ludwigia, refers to its narrow, cylindrical seed capsules. In strong light its leaves also take on a reddish underside.

In the wild

Ludwigia glandulosa is a North American species of wet ground, ditches and shallow margins across the southeastern and central United States. Emersed, it grows as a bog plant with green to olive leaves. It develops its strongest wine-red, almost purple color when grown submersed under intense light.

Common questions

Does Ludwigia glandulosa 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 glandulosa need CO2?

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

How much light does Ludwigia glandulosa need?

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

Does Ludwigia glandulosa need root tabs?

They help. Ludwigia glandulosa 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 glandulosa?

Ludwigia glandulosa propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Ludwigia glandulosa grow?

Ludwigia glandulosa grows to about 15.7 in (40 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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