Description
Plant Profile
Ludwigia Arcuata, aka Needle Leaf Ludwigia, is proof that high-end texture doesn’t have to come with high-maintenance drama. This easy-going stem plant features delicate, needle-thin leaves growing in pairs that shift from soft olive-green to deep bronze and rich reds depending on your light and dosing. Keep up with frequent prunings, and it will happily branch out into a dense, bushy filler that adds incredible fine texture and movement to your midground or background.
*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
Thin, needle-like foliage provides a unique fine texture contrast against broader-leaved aquarium plants.
Leaf hues shift into fiery orange and deep red tones under high-intensity lighting paired with iron and micronutrient supplementation.
Care & Planting Instructions
Remove lead weight and 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 stems 1–2 inches into soil, spacing them apart for light penetration.
Provide medium-to-high lighting. While CO2 injection is not strictly required, it yields much thicker stems and richer 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 fragile 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 arcuata
Common Name(s)
Needle Leaf Ludwigia, Ludwigia Arcuata
Family
Onagraceae
Plant Type / Taxonomy
Stem Plant
Care Difficulty
Easy
Light Requirement
Medium to High
CO2 Requirement
Not Necessary (Recommended for deep red color)
Placement / Usage
Midground / Background Bushing
Height / Size
10–20”
Growth Rate
Moderate
Water Parameters
pH 6.5–7.5
Propagation Method
Cuttings (Cut stem and replant tops)
Origin
North America
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are the lower leaves falling off my stem plants?
Lower leaf loss (leggy stems) usually occurs when light 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 Needle Leaf Ludwigia to turn bright red or orange?
Providing high light intensity along with regular dosing of iron and liquid fertilizers (like UNS Plant Food) triggers Ludwigia Arcuata to produce rich anthocyanin pigments, turning its needle-like leaves vivid orange or red.
3. How do I transition Ludwigia Arcuata from emersed to submerged growth?
When grown emersed, Ludwigia Arcuata produces rounder, thicker green leaves. When transitioning to submerged growth, plant bare stems securely into rich substrate under medium-to-high lighting and maintain stable water parameters. As the plant adapts underwater, it will shed its land foliage and sprout delicate, needle-thin orange and red leaves.
