Mosaic plant (Ludwigia sedioides) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Mosaic plant, Mosaic flower, False loosestrife, Jussiaea sedioides
Family
Onagraceae (evening primrose family)
Origin
Central and South America, mainly Venezuela, Panama, Colombia and Brazil
Water
freshwater
Temperature
20–28°C
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
expert
Lighting
Very high light (ideally sunlight); CO2 not needed at the surface
Flow
Still water; rosettes need a calm surface

Care

Mosaic plant grows rooted in swampy pools, sending long, brittle reddish stems up to the surface where they end in flat floating rosettes of small diamond-shaped, toothed leaves arranged like a mosaic. The rosettes open by day and close up at night, and bright yellow cup-shaped flowers about 5 cm across appear in summer. 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. It is grown in ponds and tubs 30–60 cm deep with the roots in the substrate. It is harder in aquariums because it needs strong light from above and plenty of nutrients; a tall, open-topped tank with intense lighting gives the best chance. Keep it warm; outdoors in Britain it is a summer-only pond plant. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwigiasedioides); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Take cuttings of stem with a rosette and plant them in the substrate, or separate side rosettes. It also sets seed in explosive capsules.

Compatibility and tank mates

Needs a calm surface and plenty of open space: suitable for ponds, tubs and large open-topped tanks with peaceful fish. Herbivorous fish and pond snails may graze the rosettes.

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

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