Ludwigia senegalensis (guinea)
Ludwigia senegalensis (guinea)
Ludwigia senegalensis guinea is a rare and visually captivating African Ludwigia producing narrow leaves with bold, clearly visible red veins and midrib against a green to olive leaf base — a vein-patterning botanical effect that creates an extraordinary visual detail quite unlike any typically available Ludwigia. The striking red venation pattern is most vivid in well-established plants under optimal conditions, creating a leaf-level botanical detail that rewards close observation.
Care tip: Ludwigia senegalensis (guinea) grows best in high lighting with CO₂ required. Maintain temperatures of 70–80°F and pH 5.5–7.0. Regular liquid fertilization supports healthy growth and best coloration.
Growing to 12 to 16 inches, senegalensis guinea is a demanding background plant that requires careful water management to thrive and display its best vein patterning. The red vein coloration is most vivid in soft, slightly acidic water under high lighting — the combination of water chemistry and light quality that most influences the clarity of the venation pattern.
As an advanced plant, senegalensis guinea requires CO₂ injection, high lighting, and soft water — the chart specifies a pH of 5.5 to 7.0 and temperatures between 70 and 80°F. This narrower parameter range compared to many Ludwigia species reflects the specific requirements of this African species. Consistent, nutrient-rich fertilization maintains the vivid red venation across the narrow leaves.
In the aquascape, Ludwigia senegalensis guinea creates a uniquely patterned background element whose red-veined leaves provide a botanical detail impossible to replicate from any commonly available Ludwigia. Groups of established stems create a background of unusual and striking veined foliage that draws the eye for its botanical rarity and pattern complexity.
Ludwigia senegalensis guinea is a rare and rewarding advanced plant for high-tech aquarists who appreciate the unusual end of the Ludwigia color spectrum. Its red-veined leaves and African origin make it one of the most botanically distinctive Ludwigia species available for the planted aquarium.
Care & Specifications
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Placement | Midground to Background |
| Max Height | 12–16 inches |
| Light Level | High |
| Temperature | 70–80°F |
| pH | 5.5–7.0 |
| CO2 Needs | Required |
| Origin | Africa |
| Notes | A rare and beautiful African Ludwigia producing narrow leaves with bold, visible red veins and midrib against a green to olive leaf base. Requires soft water, high light, and CO₂ — but the striking red venation pattern is unlike any other commonly available Ludwigia. |
