Ludwigia glandulosa (glandular primrose-willow) care

Light

Bright but filtered. Ludwigia glandulosa burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. High light is needed for the purple-burgundy tones and compact form; under lower light it stays olive-green and stretches. Provide strong LED over 8 hours. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering ludwigia glandulosa: grown submersed; do a 30-50% aquarium water change weekly. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Prefers soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral water, pH 6.0-7.2. CO2 injection markedly improves colour, leaf shape and growth rate and is strongly recommended.

Soil and pot

Ludwigia glandulosa grows best in nutrient-rich aquatic substrate. Plant in aquasoil and supplement with root tabs, as it is a heavy root feeder. Emersed, use constantly wet, fertile peaty substrate. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Ludwigia glandulosa sits happiest at around 85-100% humidity and 20-28°C (68-82°F). Emersed growth needs saturated air in a covered tank or paludarium; submersed plants are unaffected by ambient humidity. If you keep the room above 20 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed ludwigia glandulosa sparingly. Dose a full macro and micro liquid regime with generous iron for the purple colouration, plus substrate root tabs. Steady dosing prevents the deficiency-induced stunting this plant is prone to. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on ludwigia glandulosa in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Stays green, no purple — Purple tones require high light and ample iron. Increase intensity and dose an iron supplement; without CO2 colour rarely peaks.
• Stunted growth tips — This species is notoriously deficiency-sensitive; deformed new growth points to low CO2 or micronutrients. Add CO2 and complete trace dosing.
• Leggy stretching — Long internodes mean insufficient light. Raise the fixture output or move stems higher in the water column.
• Conversion melt — Emersed nursery plants often shed leaves when first submerged. Keep parameters stable until the submerged purple leaves develop.

Propagation

Cut stem tops and replant in the substrate; they root from the nodes. Side-shoots from the base can be separated and replanted. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Ludwigia glandulosa is mildly toxic to pets. Ludwigia is not individually listed on the ASPCA toxic or non-toxic plant database, so a definitive pet-safety rating cannot be given; treat with caution and verify with a vet. It is grown submerged and seldom reachable by pets, but ingestion could cause mild gastrointestinal upset. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Ludwigia glandulosa deep-dive guides

Every aspect of ludwigia glandulosa care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Ludwigia glandulosa watering schedule
• Ludwigia glandulosa light requirements
• Best soil mix for ludwigia glandulosa
• Ludwigia glandulosa fertilizing guide
• When to repot ludwigia glandulosa
• How to propagate ludwigia glandulosa
• Ludwigia glandulosa growth rate & size
• Ludwigia glandulosa cold hardiness
• Ludwigia glandulosa temperature & humidity
• Is ludwigia glandulosa toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is ludwigia glandulosa toxic to cats?
• Is ludwigia glandulosa toxic to dogs?

Featured in these plant shortlists

Ludwigia glandulosa qualifies for 2 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

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Ludwigia glandulosa is also commonly called glandular primrose-willow or pearlwort Ludwigia.

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