Ludwigia Arcuata

Ludwigia arcuata

Fine-Leaf Red Stem Plant for High-Contrast Aquascapes

Ludwigia arcuata is a classic, highly sought-after stem plant known for its extremely slender, needle-like leaves and vibrant coloration. Under strong light and stable CO₂, it develops stunning shades ranging from orange to deep crimson red, creating exceptional contrast against green plants. Its delicate texture and upright growth make it a staple in Dutch-style, nature, and competition aquascapes.

🌱 Key Features

• Ultra-fine, needle-like foliage

• Color transitions from green/orange to deep red

• Elegant, vertical stem growth

• Excellent contrast plant for green-dominant layouts

• Popular choice for high-end aquascaping

⚙️ Optimal Aquarium Parameters

Difficulty: Medium
Growth Rate: Moderate
Placement: Midground to Background

🌡️ Water Parameters

• Temperature: 20–27 °C (68–81 °F)

• pH: 5.5–7.2

• GH: 1–6 dGH

• KH: 0–3 dKH

• TDS: ~60–150 ppm

💡 Lighting

• Requirement: High

• Strong lighting is essential for compact growth and intense red coloration

• Lower light results in greener, thinner, and stretched stems

💨 CO₂

• Strongly Recommended

• CO₂ greatly improves growth stability, internode spacing, and color intensity

🌿 Nutrients

• Primarily a water-column feeder

• Requires consistent macro nutrients, especially nitrates

• Iron and trace elements enhance red pigmentation

• Avoid nutrient swings, which can cause stunting or leaf loss

✂️ Care & Maintenance

• Trim tops regularly to maintain density

• Replant cuttings to form thick, colorful groups

• Sensitive to instability—consistent light, CO₂, and fertilization are key