Ludwigia Sphaerocarpa Vitro Culture

Want a stem plant that doesn't grow like one? Ludwigia sphaerocarpa spreads on thick horizontal stems in a loose rosette rather than climbing upright — unusual for the genus, and the reason it reads as structure rather than another vertical stand. Submerged and well lit, it runs orange-red to reddish-brown.

What You’ll Receive

• One (1) 4-inch Vitro Culture® bag containing approx. 4 small healthy Ludwigia sphaerocarpa plantlets
• Grown in sterile lab conditions, ready for rinsing, acclimation, and planting

Plant Profile

• Common name — Roundfruit Primrose Willow
• Scientific name — Ludwigia sphaerocarpa
• Origin — Wetlands of North America
• Placement — Midground to background
• Mature height — 8–16 in
• Growth rate — Medium

Care

• Difficulty — Intermediate
• Light — Medium to high. Intensity drives the orange and red
• CO₂ — Recommended, not required
• Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.0
• Substrate — Required. Root and water column feeder
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Green emersed, orange-red submerged
• Propagation — Stem cuttings, lateral or upright

Grower’s Notes

• The rosette habit is the reason to buy it. Most Ludwigia grow as straight vertical stems; this one spreads sideways on thick horizontal stems, which gives a layered, sprawling shape you cannot get from the rest of the genus.
• It arrives green. The orange-red color develops after it converts from tissue culture to submerged growth — judge it after a few weeks, not on arrival.
• Lean nitrate deepens the color. A heavily fed tank keeps it green no matter how strong the light.
• Propagate from both lateral and upright cuttings — the horizontal stems root readily where they touch substrate.
• Rinse the gel off completely before planting or it clouds water and feeds algae in the first weeks.

Want to go deeper? Read our complete Ludwigia Care Guide.

Notes

• Images are for reference only. Coloration, shape, and growth will vary depending on aquarium lighting, CO₂, and fertilization. This plant may experience brief melt when transitioning from tissue culture to submerged growth; stable care will promote recovery and regrowth.
• Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.

At a glance

• Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
• Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
• Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
• USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
• UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
• Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
• Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
• We ship within the United States only.

Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.

The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.

How it works

• Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
• Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
• We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.

Good to know

• Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
• Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
• Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.

The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.