Want red without a high-tech tank? Ludwigia repens is the classic starting point — it arrives green and turns orange to deep red once it converts to submerged growth. Hardy, fast, and forgiving in a way that most red plants are not.
What You’ll Receive
Enhance your aquarium with our versatile selection of high-quality aquatic plants, available in three convenient formats:
- Fresh-Cut Plants: Includes approximately 6 loose, fresh-cut stems without roots. Perfect for flexible planting arrangements.
- Fresh-Cut Bunched: Approximately 6 fresh-cut stems without roots, bundled with foam and a plant weight for easy placement.
- Fresh-Cut Potted: About 6 fresh-cut stems without roots, securely potted in a net pot with rockwool, ensuring stability and healthy growth.
Plant Profile
- Common name — Ludwigia Repens
- Scientific name — Ludwigia repens
- Also known as — Creeping Primrose-willow, Red Ludwigia
- Origin — Southeastern United States and Central America
- Placement — Midground to background
- Shipped size — Approx. 6 fresh-cut stems, roughly 4-8 in
- Mature height — 10–20 in
- Suits — 10 gallons and up
- Growth rate — Fast
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — Medium to high. Intensity is what drives the red
- CO₂ — Recommended, not required
- Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5
- Substrate — Required. Root and water column feeder
- Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
- Propagation — Cuttings — trim and replant stem tops
Grower’s Notes
- It arrives green, and that is correct. We grow it emersed, where the leaves stay green and the stems thicken — which makes for a tougher plant that transplants well. The orange and red develop after two to three weeks of submerged growth. Judge the color then.
- Red needs light plus iron plus lean nitrate. A heavily fed tank under strong light still gives you a green plant.
- Every node can root. Cut anywhere along a healthy stem and replant the top — this is the cheapest way to fill a background.
- Trim before it reaches the surface. A stem that hits the top shades its own base, and those lower leaves drop and don't return on that stem.
- At 10-20 inches this is a genuine background plant. In a tank under 10 gallons it will reach the surface and stay there — the mini form is the better fit at that size.
Want a smaller-leaved version for a nano tank? See Ludwigia Super Red Mini.
Want to go deeper? Read our complete Ludwigia Care Guide.
Notes
- Photos are for reference; color and leaf size vary considerably with lighting and nutrients.
- 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.
Customers praised these aquatic plants as "healthy" and "vibrant," arriving in "excellent condition" with robust stems and beautiful red-green coloring. Most reported quick new growth and easy planting with roots included. One customer experienced complete melting during transport. Shoppers noted plants thrive in low-tech setups.
- All plants arrived green, vibrant, and healthy. I received 9 cuttings: well above expectations.
- Within a few days of planting new buds appeared at the top of the plant.
- Still growing well after 2 weeks in a low-tech setup. Would recommend!
M
These beautiful plants arrived in perfect condition and were easy to plant. They’re healthy and a wonderful green color. What surprised me the most was that within a few days of planting new buds appeared at the top of the plant. I feel very fortunate to have ordered from Aquarium Plants Factory.
A
Lush, a bunch of stems, started growing right away!
M
They are doing very well in my tank after 1 month of having them, and they look awesome. I had to anchor a few down because I have some fish that like to redecorate. Now that they are used to these plants they stopped uprooting them, and new growths is even happening! I’m truly happy with the purchase.
S
The stems arrived looking super healthy with a bunch of new growth on the upper 1/3! I can't wait for them to get acclimated to my tank. Really pleased!
A
Nicely packaged, arrived pretty quickly, and got decent sized plant bundles
D
I bought the ludwigia ovalis because it is one of the few "low tech" plants that has some color. When it arrived, I was impressed wit the color and the height! I recieved stems that were already at least 8 inches tall. I bet this depends on what time of year plants have been purchased and I'm glad I got these when I did! They are beautiful! Arrived clean and in great condition. I wish my aquarium was clearer to show the better but it is still cycling...
D
This plant exceeded my expectations. I received a healthy portion of about 8 or 9 stems that were pleasantly tall and robust. The color really was better than expected and I couldn't be happier. Highly recommended ordering from them, I have ordered multiple plants and all have arrived in great condition.
M
The plants are thriving and true to color with little effort. I’m using LED lighting approximately 8 hours per day and the colors in the plant are beautiful. I have only praise for this company and have been more then satisfied with all my shipments.
A
Plants received on time and in very healthy condition.
J
Just about a week in & they’re still standing. I think I even see new red leaves coming out of the tops
K
They all came in a reasonable time. All were packaged very neatly and all alive and thriving in my tank. They fit along with the other plants very well and my fish live them.
M
Very nice!!! Had roots to plant !!!
J
Ludwigia Repens
K
The plants died in the transported and had complete melted when delivered. Most were okay but this one completely died and all the leaves were off before I even open the package
T
The order arrived on time and in great condition. My Ludwigia continues to be healthy and is rooting out nicely. I'll definitely order again.
D
Service was a 10 out of 10, the quality of the plants I received was above and beyond my expectation. All plants arrived green, vibrant, and healthy. I received 9 cuttings: well above my expectations. Very happy with my purchase.
A
Ordered a bunch of plants all arrived healthy and looking good
C
Hello! So far so good. I received beautiful stemmed plants. 🌱. I really was impressed with the quality. I really hope they thrive. They are a gorgeous plant.
W
Plant is doing good. Bought as submerged, so probably wont melt.
Thanks
N
great plant.
P
Arrived quickly and in great condition. Leaves firm and not falling off, terrific color and stem tips nice and firm. After almost a week in my tank growing, showing no signs of molting and seems to be doing well. I think we got a winner!
A
Ludwigia Repens
B
Great quality and healthy!
D
This arrived in beautiful condition, but it doesn't seem to be doing well for me. Not sure why. Not enough light? Too much light? Not enough nutrients? Not sure, but I don't think it's the plant as ordered that's the issue. I've got stems of it in multiple tanks now, to see if I can find the right combination for it. This is the first time I've had this species, so it's a learning curve.
M
Plants came in on scheduled and looking healthy.
L
Plants came in looking great with some red still on them. So far they are going through some transitioning to my tank but already showing new growth. Will continue purchasing plants from them.
G
Nice healthy plants. Shipped fast and received fast. Planted so let’s see how they do in my tank.
l
red and healthy leaves, no damage to plant, recommend
A
Can I plant the bunched plants with the weight still attached, or should the weight be removed?
Either way is fine!
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