Plant Profile Ludwigia Ovalis, aka Oval Ludwigia, is the low-drama stem plant your aquascape has been waiting for. Unlike most Ludwigia that stick to growing leaves in opposite pairs, this rebel sprouts alternating oval leaves that shift through a whole sunset palette of gold, orange, pink, and red depending on your tank setup. Plant a dense bunch of 10 to 12 stems together in your midground or foreground, and you’ll instantly get a vibrant, head-turning focal point with minimal effort. *Form Notice: Photos display this plant in both its emersed (above-water) and submerged forms. Depending on nursery availability and seasonality, you may receive this plant in either form. Learn more about what to expect by reading our guide on Emersed vs. Submerged-Grown Aquatic Plants. Key Features & Benefits Leaves naturally develop warm gold, orange, and pink tones under medium-to-high lighting and iron supplementation. Beginner-friendly plant that adds vibrant visual contrast and soft texture to low-tech or high-tech aquariums. Care & Planting Instructions Remove lead weight and remove cotton wrap (or foam) surrounding the base, then strip the lower inch of foliage so bare stems anchor cleanly into soil without rotting. *Ludwigia stems can be fragile, so handle with care during preparation. Use fine-tip pinsettes to push individual stems 1 to 2 inches into soil, spacing them slightly apart for optimal light penetration. Provide medium-to-high lighting. While CO2 injection is not strictly required, it yields richer red coloration. See our guide to growing red aquarium plants. Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden environmental shifts to prevent leaf melt or rotting in delicate stems. Trim stem tops with straight scissors once they reach the surface to encourage lower stems to branch into dense bushes. Read our trimming & propagation guide for details. Quick Facts Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth! Attribute Specification Scientific Name Ludwigia ovalis Common Name(s) Ludwigia Ovalis, Oval Ludwigia Family Onagraceae Plant Type / Taxonomy Stem Plant Care Difficulty Easy to Moderate Light Requirement Medium (High required for bright red/pink colors) CO2 Requirement Not Necessary (Recommended for robust growth) Placement / Usage Foreground / Midground Height / Size 4–8”+ Growth Rate Fast Water Parameters pH 6.0–7.0 Propagation Method Cuttings (Cut stem and replant tops) Origin East Asia Frequently Asked Questions 1. Why are the lower leaves falling off my stem plants? Lower leaf loss (leggy stems) usually occurs when lighting cannot reach the bottom of the plant due to overcrowding or shading from larger plants. Spacing individual stems slightly apart during initial planting and maintaining strong light penetration will keep lower leaves healthy. 2. How do I get my Ludwigia Ovalis to turn bright orange or pink? Providing higher light intensity along with regular iron dosing and micro-nutrient fertilizer triggers Ludwigia Ovalis to produce anthocyanin pigments, changing its leaf color from olive-gold to vivid orange, pink, or red. 3. How do I transition Ludwigia Ovalis from emersed to submerged growth? When transitioning from emersed to submerged growth, plant bare stems securely into rich substrate under medium-to-high lighting and keep water parameters stable. As new growth adapts, the plant will shed its thicker land leaves and sprout delicate, colorful underwater foliage. Once new shoots develop, trim away old lower growth to encourage branching.
