Ludwigia inclinata Live Aquarium Plant

Ludwigia inclinata is a colourful freshwater stem plant from tropical America that is grown in planted aquariums for its upright growth and attractive foliage.

Aquarium forms of Ludwigia inclinata can vary in leaf shape, colour and difficulty, so this page is written at species level rather than assuming a particular cultivar such as ‘Cuba’ or ‘Pantanal’.

At a Glance

• Scientific name: Ludwigia inclinata
• Plant type: Stem plant
• Position: Midground to background
• Growth: Moderate to fast under good conditions
• Lighting: Moderate to strong
• CO₂: Recommended for stronger growth and colour
• Propagation: Stem cuttings
• Difficulty: Moderate, depending on the form and aquarium conditions

Colour and Growth

Under good aquarium lighting, balanced nutrients and stable CO₂, Ludwigia inclinata can develop attractive warm tones ranging from green through orange and red depending on the form being grown.

Lower light or limited nutrient availability may produce greener, less compact growth.

Some cultivated forms of this species are much more demanding than others, which is why exact colour and growth habit can vary between different strains sold in the aquarium trade.

Planting Ludwigia inclinata

Separate individual stems and plant them into the substrate with a small amount of space between each stem.

This helps improve light penetration around the lower leaves and gives the plant room to branch as it grows.

Several stems planted together can create a dense, colourful group once established.

Lighting and CO₂

Good lighting is important if you want compact growth and stronger colour.

Added CO₂ is recommended, especially in higher-energy planted aquariums. Aquarium forms such as Ludwigia inclinata ‘Cuba’ and ‘Pantanal’ are commonly grown with strong light, consistent CO₂ and balanced macro- and micronutrients. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="1"}

Trimming and Propagation

Like other stem plants, Ludwigia inclinata can be propagated from cuttings.

Trim healthy upper stems when they become too tall and replant the cuttings into the substrate.

The remaining lower stems can produce new side shoots, helping the group become fuller over time.

Suitable for Aquascaping

Ludwigia inclinata can work well as a colourful accent plant in planted aquariums where stronger lighting and good nutrient availability are provided.

Depending on the form, it can be used through the midground or background and can create strong contrast against green stem plants and broad-leaved species.

Browse our full range of live aquarium plants for more freshwater planting options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ludwigia inclinata need CO₂?

Added CO₂ is recommended for best growth, colour and compact form. Some aquarium forms of this species are considerably more demanding than others.

How much light does Ludwigia inclinata need?

Moderate to strong lighting is generally preferred. Stronger lighting is especially useful when growing colour-intensive forms.

How do I propagate Ludwigia inclinata?

Cut a healthy stem tip and replant it into the substrate. The trimmed lower stem can also produce new side shoots.

Is Ludwigia inclinata the same as Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata?

Not exactly. Kew currently treats Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata as a synonym of Ludwigia inclinata, but aquarium-trade names such as ‘Cuba’, ‘Pantanal’ and ‘Meta’ are still commonly used to distinguish cultivated forms with different appearances and care requirements. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="2"}