Uruguayan primrose-willow (Ludwigia hexapetala)
Care, watering, light and tips for Uruguayan primrose-willow on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Onagraceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Uruguayan primrose-willow
Ludwigia hexapetala, commonly known as water-primrose, is a perennial aquatic plant, either floating or emergent, characterized by its reddish stems and lance-shaped leaves that can form dense mats. It produces attractive yellow flowers with five to six petals that float on the water surface or rise slightly above it. It's ideal for ponds, wetlands, or large aquariums, where its bright flowers can add a splash of color and its foliage helps oxygenate the water.
Native range
North and South America
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal flowering, though it tolerates some partial shade. Keep the substrate consistently wet or submerged, as it is an aquatic plant by nature; it benefits from still or slow-moving water. A nutrient-rich substrate at the bottom of the pond or aquatic pot is ideal. A common mistake is planting it in dry soil, which will lead to its decline, as it needs aquatic conditions to thrive.
How to save a dying Uruguayan primrose-willow
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or blackened leaves, soft and rotting stems, uncontrolled overgrowth outside the water.
- First aid
- Manually remove as much plant as possible from the water. If out of control, use a net to extract it and do not dispose of it in another water body.
- What kills it
- Attempting to control it with non-specific herbicides or not removing it in time, allowing it to invade the entire aquatic ecosystem.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if acted upon quickly to control its spread. It is an invasive species, the goal is to eradicate it, not save it.