PlantFreshwaterBeginner

creeping primrose-willow

Ludwigia repens

Also known as: larger marsh purslane, Ludwigia

A hardy red-green stem plant that rewards even beginners with bold color.

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About

Ludwigia (Ludwigia repens) is one of those plants that earns its place in almost any freshwater setup, partly because it asks so little and partly because it delivers a lot visually. Native to the Americas, where it grows naturally as a creeping, semi-aquatic plant in slow-moving waters and marshy areas, it has also naturalized in parts of Europe including Germany and Hungary, which tells you something about how adaptable it really is. In the aquarium, the leaves shift from green on top to deep reddish-purple underneath, and under stronger light the whole plant can take on rich reddish tones. It grows as a stem plant, so you simply trim and replant cuttings to fill out a background or midground section. New growth appears quickly, making it satisfying to work with even if you're still getting your planted tank feet under you. This is genuinely a beginner-friendly species. It tolerates a range of conditions without sulking, and while higher light and added CO2 will push the color intensity, neither is strictly required to keep the plant healthy. If you want to start experimenting with stem plants, Ludwigia repens is a reliable first choice.

At a glance

Type: Plant
Water: Freshwater
Origin: Guadeloupe; Germany [I]; Hungary [I]

Water parameters

Temperature: 60–82°F
pH: 5.5–8
Hardness: 2–30 dGH

Care guide

Plant cuttings in groups in midground or background for visual impact. Trim regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent legginess. Ludwigia tolerates low to moderate light but develops deeper red coloration under stronger illumination and with added CO2. Though neither is critical for survival. Feed liquid fertilizers weekly if substrate lacks nutrients. Remove lower leaves that accumulate debris or begin to decay. This plant rarely faces issues but can grow slowly if starved of nitrogen. It adapts to most water parameters, making it forgiving for beginners experimenting with aquascaping.

Breeding

Propagate by cutting healthy stems at least 2–3 inches long and replanting the cutting directly into substrate. Nodes along the stem will develop roots within days to a week. Remove lower leaves from cuttings before planting to prevent rot. A single plant generates cuttings continuously, so you can fill an entire planted tank from one specimen over a few weeks with regular trimming.