Ludwigia super red is an easy plant to keep that adds movement and dimension to the mid- or background of the aquarium. This plant has small, round, pointed leaves that grow in opposite pairs along the whole length of the stem. The leaves can be green or red, depending on tank conditions. These plants are very attractive when planted in bunches of 10-12 stems.
It is a versatile plant, but to get the desirable bright red color, you must provide high lighting and nutrient levels. High iron content will bring out more red tones in the plant. UNS Plant Food is recommended to allow this plant to truly thrive. CO2 injection is not required but can help it grow more robustly. The plant can be grown submersed or emersed.
Propagation can be achieved by taking cuttings from the main stem of the plant that are replanted into the substrate.
Ludwigia Palustris is a beautiful aquatic stem plant to keep. Ludwigia are a great option for hobbyists who want to add color to their aquascape with ease. These plants are ideal for the background areas of the aquarium given their height and ability to fill large vertical spaces. Their vivid color creates a superb focal point, making them suitable for Dutch-style scapes. Ludwigia plants typically have oval-shaped leaves that grow in alternating pairs along the central stem. Colors include gold, orange, or red, depending on tank conditions.Ludwigia is a versatile plant, but to achieve the most desirable colors, high lighting, CO2 injection and necessary nutrients should be provided. If successful, Ludwigia species are prolific growers and will require normal pruning to create dense bushes!
Care: EasyLighting: ModeratePropagation: Cut the stem and replantGrowth Rate: Fast
Needle leaf ludwigia is a beautiful plant with delicate green and red leaves. This is an easy plant to keep that adds movement and dimension to the aquarium. Needle leaf plants have thin, pointed leaves that grow in opposite pairs along the whole length of the stem. The leaves can be green or red depending on the amount of iron available in the water. If pruned frequently, this plant will branch out and provide a bushy filler for the mid- or background of your tank.
Needle leaf is a versatile plant, but to get the desirable bright red color, you must provide high lighting and nutrient levels. High iron content will bring out more red tones in the plant. CO2 injection is not required for the cultivation of this plant, but can help it grow more robustly. The plant can be grown submersed or emersed.
When grown emersed, the leaves tend to be round like other types of Ludwigia and remain green. When grown under high light and submerged in an aquarium, the leaves turn thin and orange to red depending on nutrients.
pH: 6.5-7.5
Care: Easy
Light: Medium to high
Co2: Not necessary
Propagation: Cuttings
Growth Rate: Moderate
Hydrocotyle Japan was made famous from frequent usage by famous aquascapers such as Takashi Amano. It is characterized by its clover-like leaves which can grow into compact bushes of green. This plant is versatile and can be used in the foreground, midground or background. It is undemanding and grows fast, often out-competing and overgrowing the tank if left untrimmed. By frequently trimming new growth and using high light with CO2, the plant can stay low growing and create a carpeting effect over the foreground.
Propagate by trimming stems and replanting on pulling apart dense clumps and splitting the roots. New shoots can be trimmed anywhere along the stem which allows the plant to grow thicker and more compact.
Height: 5-10"
pH: 6.5-7.5
Care: Easy to Moderate
Light: Medium
Co2: Required
Propagation: Cut stem and replant
Growth rate: Moderate to Fast
Glossostigma Elantinoides is a low growing aquatic plant that originates from New Zealand. It is a perfect foreground plant that if given sufficient lighting and nutrients can grow into a thick carpet of green foliage. The leaves are small and round with a beautiful bright green coloration that can nicely offset any neutral toned substrate.
High lighting and Co2 injection is necessary to keep this plant low growing. Vertical growing thin stalks are an indication of lack of lighting while yellowing leaves can mean nutrition deficiency. Thin leaves can also hint at a lack of Co2. This plant can grow quickly and require regular trimming when kept under proper conditions.
This plant can grow submerged or emersed in dry start aquariums and Wabi Kusa. Because this plant is small with tiny roots, it can prove difficult to keep planted into the substrate. In this case, dry start can help by allowing time for the roots to anchor into the substrate before flooding the tank.
Height: 1-2”
pH: 6-7.5
Care: Medium to Difficult
Light: Medium to High
Co2: Required
Propagation: Cut new growth along with roots
Growth rate: Moderate to Fast
Micranthemum ‘Monte Carlo' is a low growing aquatic plant that originates from Argentina. It is a perfect foreground plant that if given sufficient lighting and nutrients can grow into a thick carpet of green foliage. The leaves are small and round with a beautiful bright green coloration that can nicely offset any neutral toned substrate. This plant is very similar to Hemianthus Callitrichoides (HC/Dwarf Baby Tears) but the leaves are larger and in our experience, its easier to grow. When hobbyist are having trouble growing HC, we recommend giving Monte Carlo a try.
High lighting and Co2 injection is necessary to keep this plant low growing. Vertical growing thin stalks are an indication of lack of lighting while yellowing leaves can mean nutrition deficiency. Thin leaves can also hint at a lack of Co2. This plant can grow quickly and require regular trimming when kept under proper conditions.
Height: 1-2”
pH: 6-7.5
Care: Medium
Light: Medium to High
Co2: Recommended
Propagation: Cut new growth along with roots
Growth rate: Moderate to Fast
Dwarf Sagittaria will grow under a variety of conditions. It does not require CO2 in order to grow, but it does grow much faster with it. This plant is one of few that can tolerate rather hard, alkaline water. Dwarf Sagittaria is fine under moderate light but will thrive with higher lighting. High lighting may bring out some red tones in the leaves. If the plant does not have sufficient iron its leaves will appear sickly and yellow and may need to be treated with iron and other nutrients. Dwarf Sagittaria propagates readily on its own and will produce a thick carpet if left to its own devices. To propagate, pinch off the plant’s runners and plant them into the substrate.
Family Name: Alismataceae
Origin: North/South America
Height: 4-12”
pH: 6.5-7.5
Care: Easy
Light: Moderate
Co2: Not necessary
Propagation: Remove plant runners and place into substrate
Growth rate: Fast
Echinodorus grisebachii or Echinodorus amazonicus is commonly known as Amazon sword plant, although other plants are also known under this common name.
