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Form of Ludwigia inclinata

Ludwigia Meta

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Meta'

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

Also known as Ludwigia inclinata 'Meta', Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata Meta

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Forms · Ludwigia inclinata

See all 4 →

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ required
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
15.7 in
40 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Background
Type
Stem
pH
5.0–7.0
Hardness
0–8 dGH
Spread
3.1 in (8 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Difficult
Family
Onagraceae
Origin
Departamento del Meta, central Colombia

Overview

Ludwigia Meta is a difficult stem plant for the background. Set beside light green plants, it makes a strong orange accent.

Did you know

Ludwigia Meta is where aquascapers usually end up after losing Ludwigia Pantanal more than once. It gives nearly the same fine orange whorls with a noticeably wider margin for error.

Caring for Ludwigia Meta

Plant Ludwigia Meta one stem at a time in the background. It feeds through both roots and leaves, so root tabs plus a liquid fertilizer cover it.

It needs strong light, injected CO2 and soft water below about 4 dKH. Keep up steady macro and micro dosing to hold the orange-red color and fine whorls. Keep the water between 72 and 82°F (22 to 28°C), with a pH of 5 to 7.

It grows fast when its needs are met, to about 40 cm, so expect to trim it often. It branches little, so build density by replanting the cut tops. Cut off the few side shoots it makes and plant them on their own.

Shortfalls show quickly as pale, shrunken growing tips. In weaker light the stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Good to know

Ludwigia Meta is a member of the Onagraceae, the evening primrose family. The name verticillata refers to its whorled leaves, and Meta shows them clearly, with narrow leaves about 5 cm long and 2 mm wide. There are usually eleven to a whorl. Emersed growth switches to alternate, elliptical leaves on reddish stems, with quite large yellow flowers. It is a named locality form, not a separate species, alongside the 'Cuba' and 'Pantanal' forms.

In the wild

Ludwigia Meta was collected in the Departamento del Meta in central Colombia, the llanos region drained by the Rio Meta. It grows in shallow, soft, acidic tropical water, submersed or emersed on wet mud.

Common questions

Is Ludwigia Meta a different species from Ludwigia inclinata?

No. Ludwigia Meta 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, pH, placement and temperature.

Does Ludwigia Meta 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 Meta need CO2?

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

How much light does Ludwigia Meta need?

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

Does Ludwigia Meta need root tabs?

They help. Ludwigia Meta 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 Meta?

Ludwigia Meta 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 Meta grow?

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

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