If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant for your aquarium, take a look at Ludwigia brevipes. This green guest from Southeast Asia has long won the hearts of aquarists thanks to its easy-going nature.
Its main advantage is its unpretentiousness. The plant thrives even in moderate lighting, without requiring complex carbon dioxide supply systems or expensive fertilizers. At the same time, it grows readily, forming lush, rich green thickets.
Ludwigia brevipes is a real find for creating picturesque corners in the underwater world. It can be planted in the middle ground or at the back of the aquarium, where it will create a beautiful backdrop for bright fish. And its flexible stems make it easy to shape the bush as desired.
Propagation
Ludwigia brevipes is a short plant with narrow leaves that are greenish-yellow in color. The key feature is that with proper care and good lighting, they take on a beautiful reddish hue. In natural conditions, Ludwigia is common in the wetlands of the southeastern United States. Interestingly, specimens growing in nature and in aquariums are practically indistinguishable from each other, which testifies to the plant's hardiness.
Ludwigia brevipes is very similar to another plant species called arcuata. They can be distinguished by their above-water stems, leaves, and flowers. Brevipes has a smooth surface, while arcuata is slightly pubescent and has a more pronounced red tint.
Growing and care
The plant requires minimal care and thrives in any conditions. And when certain parameters are maintained, Ludwigia brevipes will become a decoration for your aquarium. It looks great in the background or middle ground in combination with green neighbors.
Water parameters for ideal maintenance
Ludwigia brevipes belongs to tropical flora, so it grows well at temperatures of 22-28 degrees Celsius. The recommended water hardness is 4-20° dH, acidity – pH 6.5-7.7. The plant tolerates small fluctuations in parameters well, but with serious flaws, it can lose its decorative effect and slow down its growth. Read our other article to learn how to change the water in an aquarium correctly.
Soil requirements
The plant has very weak roots that are easily damaged during planting, so you should use fine soil — sand or pebbles no larger than 4 mm. All varieties of Ludwigia require nutrient-rich soil, so it is recommended to use nutrient substrates when planting.
Lighting requirements
The lighting in an aquarium where brevipes grows should be bright enough—about 0.8 W/l. The plant will thrive even in less bright light, but the leaves will be green instead of reddish.
Fertilizer requirements
If there are fish and other living inhabitants in the aquarium, there is no particular need for fertilizers—nutrients are formed naturally. Otherwise, regular feeding with special preparations containing macro- and microelements is required.
In order for the leaves to acquire a beautiful shade, CO2 must be supplied at a concentration of about 10 mg/l. If it is not possible to use ordinary carbon dioxide, you can choose an alternative option – liquid preparations (for example, Tetra CO2 Plus).
Ludwigia brevipes is an excellent choice for those who want to add a bright accent to their aquarium without spending a lot of time on maintenance. It is unpretentious, grows well in average lighting, and is suitable for both beginners and experienced aquarists. With sufficient light, its leaves turn a rich red, creating a beautiful contrast with other plants. The main thing is to provide moderate lighting and a stable temperature, and it will be a joy to behold for a long time.
Reproduction
Ludwigia brevipes reproduces by cuttings. The process is simple: cut the stem at a 45-degree angle and bury it in the soil, after which it will quickly take root and begin to grow. To prevent the cutting from floating, you can use special clips or tie the plant to a small stone.
Plant variations
The Ludwigia genus has about 80 varieties, but not all of them can be grown at home.
The most common specimens among aquarists include:
Ludwigia repens is a plant with small glossy leaves of various shades – dark green, reddish, purple, brown.
Ludwigia Rubin is a representative of the brown-colored genus, covered with small oval leaves that form a rosette at the top.
Ludwigia varieties with red leaves are most often grown in aquariums because they have excellent decorative characteristics.
Use in aquascapes
Brevipes is best suited for the background or middle ground of an aquarium. It grows quickly and forms dense groups, and regular trimming is necessary to maintain its decorative appearance.
The plant is trimmed as needed—it is best to cut off shoots that stand out from the rest. If you cut the lower leaves and branches, Ludwigia will grow upward, and if you remove the upper shoots, it will grow wider. Cut shoots can be planted in the middle of the bush—it will become denser and more attractive.
Possible problems
Brevipes is an unpretentious plant, but inexperienced aquarists sometimes encounter problems that are most often associated with errors in care:
- With improper care, nutrient deficiency, or low temperature, the shoots and leaves of brevipes can become twisted. Aquarists call this phenomenon “radiculitis.” To get rid of it, you need to identify the problem and adjust your care routine.
- If the plant's roots are rotten (as evidenced by the active falling of the lower leaves), simply remove it from the soil, cut off the damaged parts, and plant it in another place.
- Ludwigia should not be planted in aquariums where fish that like to dig in the soil live. All varieties of the plant have weak roots, and living inhabitants can damage them.
- Choose well-lit areas for planting cuttings. There should be no large plants nearby that could block the light.
Most often, Ludwigia brevipes suffers from a lack of light. This is the most important parameter for plant growth, which must be constantly monitored.
Ludwigia brevipes is a real find for aquarium enthusiasts. It is beautiful, hardy, and does not require constant attention. If you are looking for a plant that will quickly take root and begin to delight the eye, it is worth paying attention to this one.
Its main advantage is its bright, rich color, which can enliven any composition. Even a few stems will create a striking color accent against the green foliage of other plants. At the same time, it does not require you to study complicated care instructions.
Try planting Ludwigia brevipes in your home. Watching its leaves blush under good light and the bush itself grow actively is a special pleasure. It is the most unpretentious helper that will help make your underwater world truly alive and cozy.
