Ludwigia Sphaerocarpa

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Globefruit Primrose-willow; Sphere-fruit Ludwigia

Synonyms

Ludwigia pilosa

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

United States (Massachusetts to Florida, west to Texas)

Habitat

Wet coastal marshes, pond margins, and swampy ditches of the eastern and southeastern United States

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Stem

Max height

4 – 12 in (10 – 30 cm)

Spread

8 in (20 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Foreground, Midground

Water

Temperature

68 – 82 °F (20 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

2 – 12 dGH

PAR

50 – 80 PAR

Flow

Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Required

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich required

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green, Orange, Red, Brown

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Spreads low and horizontal rather than climbing upward, forming a compact crown of red, orange and brown leaves at the front or middle of the tank when trimmed regularly. High light, CO2, and rich substrate keep it dense; without these it stretches and turns plain green. A moderate-care species suited to nutrient-heavy planted setups.

Care

This is a demanding stem plant that needs strong light and a nutrient-rich substrate to stay compact and colored, otherwise it stretches and fades to plain green. Unlike most Ludwigia species it branches poorly on its own, so its low, almost rosette-like crown depends on regular topping and replanting of cuttings rather than side shoots. CO2 injection and consistent dosing of iron and micronutrients bring out the orange, brown, and red tones in the crown leaves.

Planting & trimming

Plant stems or rooted cuttings into a nutrient-rich substrate in the foreground or midground, spacing them enough apart that light reaches lower leaves. Because it does not branch readily on its own, regular trimming of the growing tip is needed to keep the crown low and encourage a denser, bushier habit. Trimmed tops can be replanted directly to fill out a group.

Fertilizing

Feed with root tabs pushed into the substrate along with a complete liquid fertilizer dosed weekly, since this species draws heavily from both roots and the water column. Iron supplementation is especially important for the orange-red coloration in the upper leaves. Yellowing, pinholes, or a halt in growth usually point to a nutrient shortfall rather than disease, and dropped lower leaves with long internodes signal insufficient light.

Propagation

Propagation is by stem cuttings: snip a few centimeters off a healthy growing tip and replant it directly into the substrate, where it will root and branch into a new crown. This is the primary and most reliable method, as the species is not commonly grown from seed in the hobby.

Problems

Under weak light or thin fertilization the plant loses its compact form, drops lower leaves, and develops stretched internodes as it reaches for light. Algae on the leaves is common when light is too strong relative to nutrient levels or flow, and is best corrected by trimming light duration and boosting fertilization rather than treating the plant itself. Some leaf loss after planting or replanting cuttings is normal during adjustment to submersed conditions.

Sources

1. Ludwigia Sphaerocarpa | Barr Report Forum - Aquarium Plants
2. Ludwigia sphaerocarpa - Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
3. Ludwigia sphaerocarpa care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
4. Ludwigia sphaerocarpa - fishywiki

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