Description
Plant Profile
Meet Ludwigia Crystal, an extraordinarily rare aquatic stem plant native to the rivers and bogs of Central and South America! Belonging to the Ludwigia inclinata family, this variety is prized for its delicate leaves that showcase a stunning array of orange, salmon, and translucent pink hues. Best suited for midground and background placement in high-tech setups, it requires high lighting, rich nutrients, and robust CO2 injection to reach its full potential. Under proper conditions, it is a fast grower, easily reaching heights of 12” to 16”+, making routine trimming essential to sculpt it into a striking, high-contrast focal point that breaks up traditional green aquascapes.
*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
Unusually translucent, crystal-toned foliage offers exceptional color contrast against green stem plants.
Fast-growing stem habit readily branches after trimming to create a dense, colorful midground or background accent.
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.
Use fine-tip pinsettes to push individual stems 1 to 2 inches into substrate, spacing them slightly apart so light reaches lower growth.
Provide medium-to-high lighting and pressurized CO2 injection; consistent fertilization with a specialized liquid macro and micro formula yields robust stem growth and prevents bottom leaf yellowing.
Maintain stable water parameters and avoid sudden parameter swings to prevent stem melting or rotting.
Trim main stem tops with sharp straight scissors once they reach the desired height, and replant trimmings directly into substrate to propagate and thicken the bush. 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 inclinata sp. ‘Crystal’
Common Name(s)
Ludwigia Crystal, Ludwigia Inclinata Crystal
Family
Onagraceae
Plant Type / Taxonomy
Stem Plant
Care Difficulty
Advanced
Light Requirement
High
CO2 Requirement
Required (Essential for leaf size and vibrant crystal coloration)
Placement / Usage
Midground / Background Focal Point
Height / Size
4–20”+
Growth Rate
Fast
Water Parameters
pH 4.5–7.0
Propagation Method
Cuttings (Cut stem tops or lateral shoots and replant)
Origin
Central & South America
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 achieve a thick, bushy forest with Ludwigia Crystal?
To encourage Ludwigia Crystal to form a dense hedge, routinely trim the main stem tops once established. Each cut site will sprout multiple lateral side shoots, doubling the stem density and creating a tight, bushy group.
3. How do I transition Ludwigia Crystal 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 land leaves and sprout slender underwater foliage. Once new shoots develop, trim away old lower growth to encourage dense branching.
