Ludwigia Natan Palustris Emersid

🌿 Species Profile

• Common Names: Marsh Ludwigia / Palustris Ludwigia
• Scientific Name: Ludwigia palustris (often traded with synonyms like L. natans)
• Plant Type: Stem plant
• Origin: Europe, Americas (varies by form)
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Difficulty: Easy
• Placement: Midground to background

🌱 Appearance

• Small, opposite leaves along thin stems
• Color varies strongly:
  • Green in low light
  • Red, pink, or bronze under strong light
• Emersed growth (above water):
  • More compact and often deeper red
• Submerged growth:
  • Slightly larger, softer leaves

Size:

• Height: 10–40 cm (4–16 in)

🧪 Tank Requirements

• Temperature: 18–28°C
• pH: 5.5–7.5
• Hardness: Very adaptable
• Lighting: Medium to high (for red coloration)
• CO₂: Recommended for best color and compact growth

🌿 Substrate & Nutrition

• Grows rooted in substrate
• Benefits from:
  • Nutrient-rich soil
  • Iron and micronutrients (for red tones)
  • Liquid fertilizers
• Low nutrients → mostly green form

✂️ Care Tips

• Requires frequent trimming for bush effect
• Replant cut tops for dense groups
• Strong light improves red/pink coloration
• Can grow emersed in paludariums or shallow tanks

🌱 Propagation

• Very easy:
  • Cut stems → replant
• Rapid regrowth from nodes

🐟 Aquarium Use

Best for:

• Red-green contrast aquascapes
• Dutch-style planted tanks
• Midground colorful bushes

Compatible with:

• Tetras
• Rasboras
• Shrimp
• Peaceful community fish