Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba' key facts

Growing Difficulty

Intermediate

Lifespan

Perennial; maintained indefinitely by replanting cuttings

Size

Large stem plant that reaches the surface and spreads wide

Temperature

24〜28℃

Watering

Needs CO2 and liquid fertiliser with iron and trace elements

Lighting

Needs strong light; in weak light it stays pale and loses lower leaves.

CO2 & Fertilizer

CO2 is practically essential. New growth turns white when iron or trace elements run short, so supply liquid fertiliser.

Water Temperature & Quality

Optimum 24–28°C in soft (KH 0–8°dKH), slightly acidic water at pH 4.5–7.

Substrate & Attachment

Plant in a nutrient-rich substrate and give it room in the mid- or background, as it grows large.

Trimming & Propagation

Propagate by replanting tops. Cut-back bases tend to blacken and die, so renew the group by replanting cuttings.

Cautions

Other localities and plants sold as variegated circulate under similar names, so check the name and photos. Never release plants into the wild.

About Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba' is a large stem plant with whorled, linear leaves that turn red to orange. Sourced from Cuba's Isle of Youth, it's known as an easier-growing strain of this variety.

7 things to know before growing Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

1. 1Needs Strong Light

   This large stem plant develops its best color and density under fairly strong lighting. If light is insufficient, the leaves tend to lose their color and the stems stretch out thin, so plan for solid illumination.

2. 2CO2 Is Practically Essential

   CO2 injection is practically essential for this plant. Without enough CO2, the leaves grow broader and green, and fewer of them form. With adequate CO2, the red-to-orange coloration and leaf density improve markedly.

3. 3Prefers Nutrient Substrate

   This plant likes to take up nutrients through its roots, so it does well in a nutrient-rich substrate. Supplementing with liquid fertilizer containing trace elements like iron helps maintain good leaf color.

4. 4Renew by Replanting the Tops

   This plant dislikes frequent hard pruning, and the lower portion left after cutting tends to blacken and die. When stems get too long, cut off the tops and replant them into the substrate to renew the stand. Since it's a perennial, repeating this keeps it in your layout for the long term.

5. 5Keep Water Temp Stable

   Try to avoid sharp seasonal swings in water temperature and keep conditions within a steady range. Large fluctuations can throw off its growth and vigor.

6. 6Pick Compact Stems

   When choosing a plant, look for good leaf color and tightly spaced nodes with dense growth, which makes it easier to establish. Leggy, stretched-out stems tend to look messy until they adjust to their new environment.

7. 7A Tall Centerpiece Plant

   As a large stem plant that reaches the water's surface and spreads outward, it's best suited to a background or midground area with enough room to fill in. Planting it densely creates an especially striking mass of color.

Frequently asked questions about Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

Q.Can beginners grow this plant?

A.It's generally considered an intermediate-level plant. If you can manage strong lighting and CO2 supplementation, it's a reasonable challenge once you're past the very beginner stage.

Q.What's the trick to getting it to color up?

A.Strong lighting combined with CO2 supplementation is the key to good coloration. With both in place, the leaves take on a red-to-orange hue and the plant fills in more densely overall.

Q.How large does this plant get?

A.It's a large stem plant that can grow tall enough to reach the water's surface while also spreading outward. It's best planned as a background-to-midground plant with enough room to fill in.

Q.How long can I keep this plant growing?

A.As a perennial, it can be maintained over the long term by repeatedly replanting stem tops. The lower portion left after cutting tends to blacken and die, so the key is to cut off the grown-out tops and replant them to renew the stand.

Q.How does this differ from other locality strains?

A.This strain originates from Cuba's Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) and is considered easier to grow than other locality strains of the same variety. Its basic care requirements are otherwise similar to the variety as a whole.

Handy Growing Tools for Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

Learn more about Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba' in the encyclopedia

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