Glandular ludwigia (Ludwigia glandulosa) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Glandular ludwigia, Red star ludwigia, Cylindricfruit primrose-willow, Ludwigia perennis (trade name)
Family
Onagraceae (evening primrose family)
Origin
South-eastern USA
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
Medium to high light; CO2 injection recommended

Care

Glandular ludwigia is an amphibious perennial from wetlands and roadside ditches of the south-eastern USA, able to grow partly or fully submerged. Tropica notes that it used to be sold as Ludwigia perennis. Ludwigia (water primroses or primrose-willows) is a mainly tropical genus of about 80 species of wetland and aquatic plants in the evening primrose family. Tropica rates it medium difficulty, with medium light and CO2 needs. It reaches 15–30 cm in two months and stems can grow to 40 cm. It needs added CO2 to grow well; with too little light it turns greener and drops its lower leaves. In good conditions the narrow leaves are deep red to purple. Plant in groups in the midground. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwigiaglandulosa); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Take top cuttings and replant them; trimmed stems branch from the nodes below.

Compatibility and tank mates

Goldfish, large cichlids, silver dollars and other plant-eating fish will graze soft stems, and diggers can uproot new cuttings. Most small community fish, shrimp and snails leave it alone, and shrimp and fry use the foliage for cover.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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