Ludwigia Super Red

About Ludwigia Super Red

Ludwigia Super Red is one of the most popular red stem plants in the aquarium hobby, prized for its intense deep red to burgundy foliage. Unlike many red aquarium plants that require extremely high lighting to develop strong colour, Super Red can maintain impressive red tones under a wide range of conditions.

Its broad, rounded leaves grow along upright stems, creating a bold and colourful contrast against green plants. When planted in groups, Ludwigia Super Red can form dense red bushes that work beautifully in Nature Aquariums, Dutch-style layouts, and high-tech planted tanks.

Strong lighting, stable CO₂, and balanced fertilisation will encourage the deepest and most consistent colouration. While CO₂ is not strictly essential, it significantly improves growth rate, density, and overall appearance.

Regular trimming encourages branching and helps create a compact, bushy group. Healthy cuttings can easily be replanted into the substrate, making Ludwigia Super Red simple to propagate.

With its rich colour and relatively forgiving nature, Ludwigia Super Red is an excellent choice for aquascapers wanting a strong red focal point without the difficulty of some more demanding red stem plants.

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Ludwigia sp. 'Super Red'
Common Name: Ludwigia Super Red
Plant Type: Stem Plant
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
Lighting: Moderate to High
CO₂ Required: No — Recommended
Temperature: 20–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Water Hardness: Soft to Moderately Hard
Placement: Midground to Background
Suitable For: Nature aquariums, Dutch aquascapes, high-tech planted tanks, shrimp tanks, and freshwater community aquariums

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ludwigia Super Red require CO₂?

No. It can grow without CO₂, although supplementation encourages faster growth, denser foliage, and stronger colouration.

How do I keep Ludwigia Super Red red?

Provide good lighting, stable CO₂ where available, and balanced fertilisation. Its genetics naturally allow it to develop strong red colouration compared with many other Ludwigia varieties.

How do I propagate Ludwigia Super Red?

Cut healthy stems above a leaf node and replant the tops directly into the substrate. The remaining stems will often produce new side shoots.

Is Ludwigia Super Red suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is relatively easy to grow and is one of the better choices for aquarists wanting to introduce red plants into a planted aquarium.

How often should I trim it?

Trim when the stems become too tall or begin shading the lower leaves. Regular pruning encourages branching and produces a dense, bushy appearance.

Common Mistakes

Insufficient lighting
Very low light can result in greener foliage and elongated stems.

Unstable CO₂
Large fluctuations in CO₂ can slow growth and encourage algae.

Planting stems too closely
Leave enough space between stems for light penetration and water circulation.

Poor nutrient availability
Regular fertilisation supports healthy growth and helps maintain strong colouration.

Allowing the plant to become too tall
Regular trimming keeps the group compact and encourages attractive side branching.