Ludwigia arcuata 'Dark Red'

🌿 Ludwigia arcuata 'Dark Red'

Ludwigia arcuata 'Dark Red', commonly known as Needle-Leaf Ludwigia, is a highly desirable stem plant featuring thin, needle-like leaves that display deep crimson and ruby tones. Its delicate leaf structure and intense coloration bring fine texture and vivid warmth to planted aquariums.

🌱 Growth & Appearance

This plant develops slender, branching stems covered with long, narrow leaves. Under optimal conditions, the foliage transforms from a warm orange-brown into a brilliant, deep red color, particularly toward the upper stem tops.

Its fine leaf pattern makes it ideal for creating dense, feathery bushes. Regular trimming triggers multiple side shoots at the cut nodes, allowing you to build thick, colorful plant groups over time.

💡 Lighting & CO₂

Ludwigia arcuata 'Dark Red' requires high lighting to trigger and maintain its rich crimson coloration. Intense light keeps the leaf spacing tight and accentuates the deep red pigments.

Pressurized CO₂ injection is necessary for consistent, healthy growth. Adequate iron supplementation in the water column is also beneficial for preventing pale leaves and maximizing color depth.

🪴 Planting & Maintenance

Plant individual stems into a nutrient-rich substrate using fine tweezers, leaving space between them for light and water flow. Once stems reach the desired height, cut the upper portions and replant the tops directly into the soil.

Frequent pruning keeps the lower stems from losing foliage due to shade and encourages a dense, bushy appearance.

🌿 Best Use

Ludwigia arcuata 'Dark Red' is an outstanding midground to background stem plant for Dutch-style layouts, nature aquascapes, and high-tech aquariums.

Its needle-thin leaves and deep red tones provide a striking contrast against broad-leaved green species like Stargrass or low-growing foreground plants.

✨ Plant Profile

Difficulty: Intermediate

Growth Rate: Medium to Fast

Lighting: High

CO₂: Required

Temperature: 20–28°C

Placement: Midground to Background

Growth Type: Stem Plant

Propagation: Stem Cuttings