Limnophila sessiliflora

Limnophila sessiliflora, often sold as dwarf ambulia, is a soft stem plant carrying whorls of finely divided, feathery leaves up an upright stem. It is fast, undemanding and an inexpensive way to fill a background, which is exactly why it is so common in beginner planted tanks and also why it needs handling responsibly.

Aquarium care

• Stem plant: strip the lower leaves and push each stem into the substrate separately.
• Very fast in decent light, so plan on trimming it often.
• Propagate by cutting and replanting the tops, which root readily.
• Takes nutrients from the water column, so liquid fertiliser matters more to it than root tabs.
• Grows perfectly well without CO2.
• Thin the group so light reaches the lower stems, or the bases go bare.

This species is invasive where it has escaped and is regulated as a noxious weed in parts of North America. Never release it or its trimmings into ponds, creeks, ditches, irrigation channels or storm drains, and never pour aquarium water outdoors. Bag surplus growth for the household waste. Inside the tank it suits community fish and gives fry good cover.

Stock rotates, and plants are for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the Limnophila collection.