Marsh seedbox (Ludwigia palustris) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Marsh seedbox, Hampshire-purslane, Water purslane, Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red', Ludwigia palustris 'Green'
Family
Onagraceae (evening primrose family)
Origin
Very wide native range in North and South America, Africa, Asia and Europe (including southern England)
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
15–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low to medium light; more light and CO2 for deeper red

Care

Marsh seedbox is an aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial that forms sprawling mats of reddish, semi-succulent stems 10–40 cm long, rooting at the nodes, with paired oval leaves up to 4 cm. It grows in shallow water at the edges of ponds, rivers and ditches. In Britain it is a rare native known as Hampshire-purslane. 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 sells 'Super Red' and 'Green'. 'Super Red' is rated easy, with low light and CO2 needs and a medium growth rate, reaching 10–30 cm. It is smaller than Ludwigia repens 'Rubin' and colours red more readily; stronger light and CO2 deepen the colour and speed growth. It branches freely and gets denser with each trim. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. It is naturalised or invasive in Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand. Never release this plant or dispose of it in drains or waterways; it is invasive in some countries. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwigiapalustris); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Produces side shoots readily, and each trim adds more. Replant cut tops, which root quickly.

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.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.