Ludwigia Senegalensis

This one reached the hobby as Ludwigia sp. Guinea, after the country the first imports were said to come from. It is now filed as Ludwigia senegalensis, a wild plant that is widespread across tropical Africa, from Senegal to Angola and east to the Zambezi in northern Zambia, growing emersed and submersed in wet places up to 1100 m.

Its brick-red leaves have a distinctive vein pattern. This is a demanding stem plant that needs attentive care.

Maintain a reliable supply of micronutrients and watch for blackening or deteriorating shoot tips. Follow the fertiliser directions and adjust nutrition to the aquarium rather than applying a universal doubled dose. Macronutrients want to be generous too, roughly 20 mg/l nitrate and 2 to 3 mg/l phosphate. Light has to be strong, and a shaded corner is the wrong place for this plant. Soft water appears to suit it, with carbonate hardness of 0 to 7 dKH.

The optimum is 20 to 25 °C at pH 4.5 to 7 under high light. Even with everything right, growth is only moderate. It throws plenty of lateral shoots, so cuttings are easy; just do not plant a group too densely, or the stems stay small and shed their lower leaves. Its CO2 range is 25 to 40 mg/l.