Ludwigia Super Red

Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red' is a cultivated form of a cosmopolitan wetland plant, selected specifically for the intensity of its red pigmentation. Under moderate to high light, the leaves shift from olive-green at the base to deep burgundy and maroon toward the tops, sometimes pushing into nearly purple territory. It's genuinely one of the most accessible red plants in the hobby, requiring far less commitment than classic red stems like Rotala macrandra.

Even without CO2 injection you'll get decent color, though CO2 and a nutrient-rich substrate will push things dramatically further. The stems grow upright and branch readily, especially after trimming, which helps you build a dense cluster over time. Iron supplementation makes a noticeable difference and is worth adding if your water is soft or your substrate is inert.

Plant it toward the back or sides of the tank and let it fill in behind midground plants. Trimmings root quickly when replanted into substrate. Browse planted tank builds using this species and you'll see how much impact even a small cluster of it can have against a green foreground.