Ludwigia senegalensis

Ludwigia senegalensis is a slender-stemmed West African species that remains somewhat rare in the hobby despite its exceptional ornamental value. Its small, narrow leaves develop vivid orange to deep red pigmentation under high light and iron-rich water, positioning it as an interesting alternative to better-known red Ludwigia species. It grows at a moderate pace and adapts well to a range of tropical water parameters, though it performs best in soft, slightly acidic conditions with CO2 supplementation. In the aquascape it provides a fine-textured, warm-toned accent column that pairs beautifully with green foreground plants or contrasting blue-green stem species.

Light: High (45–60 PAR); essential for orange-red leaf expression. CO2: Recommended at 20–30 mg/L for compact internodes and best colouration. Fertilisation: Iron and trace element dosing 2–3 times weekly; macro nutrients essential. Placement: Background to midground accent columns; plant in groups of 5–7 stems. Propagation: Cut 8–10 cm tips and replant after trimming; side shoots branch readily.