Ludwigia Repens: Complete Care Guide: Color |Updated| 2024

Ludwigia Repens, also known as “Creeping Charlie,” is a lush green plant that can be used in many aquariums. It helps with water quality by acting as a nitrifying bacteria and has an almost natural appearance.

The stems are wiry and slender, allowing them to intertwine with other plants effortlessly. In larger aquariums, it may spread too quickly; therefore, in these instances, it would be wise to keep it in a smaller pot within the tank.

This is an excellent addition to the tank for cold-water fish because of its natural-looking appearance and ease of care. It can get very bushy and wide in low lighting conditions, so regular pruning is necessary.

Ludwigia also likes to travel along the substrate, so it needs regular maintenance to keep it in place. This aquarium plant looks great when planted with other bushy plants like Hygrophila Polysperma, Echinodorus Tenellus, and Cryptocoryne Wendtii.

Ludwigia Repens Appearance

Ludwigia Repens has long, slender stems with small oval leaves. The leaves are dark green and approximately one to two centimeters long. This aquarium plant will grow in a bushy fashion. It may even creep around the tank if left untrimmed. It can have simple or branched small pink or white blooms in the right conditions.

It is one of the most common aquarium plants, along with Hygrophila polysperma and Echinodorus Tenellus. It is native to the rainforest floors in South America, but most Ludwigia sold today are grown on farms where they are harvested and prepared for aquariums.

Ludwigia Repens Size and Growth Rate

Ludwigia Repens is a relatively small, slow-growing plant. In the right conditions, it can grow up to 20 centimeters. It will expand at a rate of about 1 centimeter every two weeks.

How To Plant Ludwigia Repens

Ludwigia Repens can be planted in most substrates. Plain it with the substrate at the top of the roots and then cover it up by 1/3rd of its height. This will help stabilize the plants and allow them to establish themselves.

Ludwigia Repens Pruning And Re-potting

If your plant appears to be getting too large or its color changes, you should consider pruning it. Pruning will encourage new growth and a more lush appearance.

If the stems become damaged, they can easily be cut off with sharp scissors and grow back fairly quickly. If you wish for the plant to grow in a particular direction, turn its pot around, and it will start growing in that direction.

If your plant becomes too large or out of place, take a small portion of it and replant it. Since Ludwigia Repens is a fast grower, you can easily divide and replant pieces in new locations. This makes it perfect for filling gaps between rocks or giving it a slightly different look.

Types of Fishes That can be Kept With Ludwigia Repens

It can be kept with any freshwater fish. It is best to keep it in a group, as this will help ensure that all branches and stems receive adequate light and nutrients.

Ludwigia Repens Care Guide

It’s essential to keep your Ludwigia Repens healthy and happy. Without the proper care, it will quickly perish. This includes frequent pruning, proper lighting, and a nutritious substrate.

The ideal conditions for the proper growth and care of Ludwigia Repens have been described below.

Tank Size For Decent Growth Ludwigia Repens

It can be well-suited to any sized aquarium with proper lighting and nutrient levels.

Ludwigia Repens Light Requirement

It prefers high lighting such as T5 fluorescent tubes or metal halide bulbs, but LED lighting should also suffice. The substrate should be between 1 and 2 inches deep if planted in the sand.

The high light conditions required for this plant to thrive will benefit from a T5 fluorescent tube or metal halide bulb. However, if using LED lighting, you should ensure that you have a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum LED. The substrate should be between 1 and 2 inches deep; the thicker the substrate, the more stable it will be.

Ludwigia Repens Water Conditions

Ludwigia Repens prefers freshwater conditions. Ideally, this plant will thrive at a ph level of 6 to 7.5 with water hardness between 5 to 20 dGH.

If you cannot provide these conditions, then slightly brackish water will suffice; if the plant is kept in slightly brackish water, it must be frequently monitored to ensure its health.

It is important to note that if your fish tank has a high nitrate concentration, it will not do well. High nitrate levels in the water will cause the plant to appear brown and yellow, indicating it is dying.

If you cannot improve your nitrate concentration, it may be best to use another aquarium plant in its place.

Ludwigia Repens Substrate For Best Growth

Ludwigia Repens thrives best in a nutrient-rich substrate. If you are planting it in the sand, the depth of the substrate should be about 1 to 2 inches.

However, if your aquarium plant is planted in soil, you can use gravel or stones to fill up the space between the roots and the pot’s surface, so the plant does not rot.

Ludwigia Repens Placement Area

It should be placed where it can effortlessly intertwine with other plants and near a power outlet.

The soil should be between 1 and 2 inches deep. The thicker the substrate is, the more stable it will be, which prevents it from being uprooted by larger fish or planted decorations.

Ludwigia Repens Propagation

This plant should be planted where it can effortlessly intertwine with other plants near the top of your aquarium so that light can easily reach all portions of the plant.

If stems are hanging over the edges of your fish tank, cut them off with sharp scissors to prolong the health of your aquarium plant.

Ludwigia Repens is propagated vegetatively, so you don’t have to worry about doing anything but ensuring its healthy growth and abundant foliage.

Suppose it starts to appear brown and yellowish. In that case, however, there may be a nitrate concentration problem in your fish tank, and you should immediately determine if you can do anything about it.

Ludwigia Repens Availability And Price

This plant should be readily available at most aquatic stores and online retailers; its price varies depending on the size of your purchase, but it is usually relatively affordable.

Advantage Of Ludwigia Repens

Ludwigia Repens has many benefits to the health of an aquarium. It helps nitrify bacteria, removing toxic ammonia and nitrite from the water. Ludwigia Repens also remove nitrates.

The plant is very hardy and can withstand most conditions, including high levels of light, poor water quality, and less than the desired substrate. Ludwigia Repens is a natural-looking plant that can be used in many aquarium setups. It is recommended to be placed in mid-level light but will also survive in low or high-lighting conditions.

Drawbacks Of Ludwigia Repens

The main drawback of Ludwigia Repens would have to be its rapid growth. In a small aquarium, it may quickly take over; in larger tanks, it doesn’t grow as fast but can still become a nuisance if not correctly pruned back.

It is also known to have a toxic effect on some fish species when eaten, so they should be kept away from this plant.

FAQs

Conclusion

If you want an attractive and low-maintenance aquarium plant, Ludwigia Repens may be the one for you. This aquarium plant is best kept near the top of your fish tank, where it can effortlessly intertwine with other plants.

It requires high lighting to maintain its lush green appearance, but slightly salty water will suffice if you cannot provide it with these conditions.

It thrives best in the nutrient-rich substrate and propagates vegetatively, so you don’t have to worry about doing anything but ensuring its healthy growth and abundant foliage.