Ludwigia Cuba

A gradient rather than a single color. Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba' grows narrow leaves in symmetrical whorls that run yellow through orange to deep red on the same stem, with coppery new growth at the tips. From the Isla de la Juventud off Cuba, and one of the more striking stems in the genus when it is given what it wants.

What You'll Receive

Sold as loose fresh-cut plants, bunched plants, or potted plants:

• Fresh Cut Plants: Approximately 6 individual, loose-cut stems without roots
• Bunched Plants: Approximately 6 stems without roots, bundled with foam and a plant weight
• Potted Plants: Approximately 6 stems without roots, potted in rockwool and net pot

Plant Profile

• Common name — Cuban Ludwigia
• Scientific name — Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'
• Also known as — Ludwigia sp. 'Cuba'
• Origin — Isla de la Juventud, Cuba
• Placement — Midground to background, planted in groups
• Shipped size — Approx. 6 emersed-grown stems, green on arrival
• Mature height — 6–14 in
• Suits — 10 gallons and up
• Growth rate — Fast

Care

• Difficulty — Intermediate
• Light — Medium to high. Light intensity sets how far toward red it runs
• CO₂ — Recommended for full color and compact growth
• Water — 64–86°F · pH 4.0–7.0 · KH 0–8. It takes genuinely soft, acidic water
• Substrate — Required. Nutrient substrate, plus iron and trace dosing
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Green oval leaves and yellow flowers when emersed
• Propagation — Cuttings — trim and replant stem tops

Grower's Notes

• Do not cut the base and hope. Unlike most stem plants, the lower portion left behind after a hard trim often deteriorates rather than reshooting. Cut the healthy tops, replant those, and pull the old bases — that is how this plant is maintained.
• Green on arrival is correct. Emersed stock has plain green oval leaves and looks nothing like the photographs. The whorled form and the yellow-orange-red gradient develop over several weeks of submerged growth.
• Iron is what pushes the red. Light gets it partway; consistent iron and trace dosing carries it the rest. Washed-out color on a well-lit tank is almost always a micronutrient shortfall.
• Soft water suits it — it tolerates down to pH 4.0 and very low KH, which makes it a good fit for a blackwater or RO-based tank where harder-water plants struggle.
• Plant a group. The color gradient reads properly across several stems together; a single stem just looks uncertain.

Notes

• Color intensity may vary depending on lighting, CO₂ levels, and nutrient availability. The plant may appear more green upon arrival and will gradually develop red and orange hues under proper aquarium conditions.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

• Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
• Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
• Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
• USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
• UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
• Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
• We ship within the United States only.

Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.

The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.

How it works

• Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
• Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
• We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.

Good to know

• Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
• Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
• Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.

The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.