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Ludwigia sphaerocarpa is an aquatic perennial from the Onagraceae family, naturally found in freshwater wetlands, ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers across the southeastern United States. It is also present from Massachusetts down to eastern Texas in moist coastal areas.

Key Characteristics
– Growth Form: A stem plant that grows compact and bushy under good conditions.
– Leaves: Opposite, bright green to yellow/orange at the tips; shapes range from elliptical to ovate.
– Stems: Can be submerged or floating; often roots in muddy or nutrient-rich substrates.
– Coloration: Top leaves turn yellow to orange under strong light, making it visually striking in aquascapes.
– Placement: Ideal for foreground to midground due to its compact crowns and slower growth compared to other Ludwigia species.

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💧 Care Requirements

☀️ Lighting
– High light (50+ PAR) is recommended for compact growth and vibrant yellow–orange coloration.
– Can tolerate partial shade when grown emersed, but coloration will be greener.

🌿 CO₂
– Requires CO₂ supplementation (30+ ppm) for optimal growth in aquariums, especially under high light.

🌡️ Temperature
– Thrives in 18–28°C water temperatures.

⚗️ Water Parameters
– pH: 5.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
– Substrate: Nutrient-rich, well-draining substrate helps maintain strong root systems.

✂️ Maintenance
– Prune every 4–6 weeks to encourage bushier crowns and maintain shape.
– Slower-growing than most Ludwigia species, so trimming is less frequent but more strategic.

🌊 Growth Style
– Can grow emersed or submerged.
– Emersed growth tends to be greener; submerged growth shows more intense coloration.

🌾 Propagation
– Propagated easily through stem cuttings — replant trimmed tops or side shoots.

🦐 Shrimp Compatibility
– Considered shrimp-safe and suitable for shrimp tanks.

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🎨 Aquascaping Notes (tailored for you, ISMAIL)
Given your eye for detail and love for visually striking layouts:

– Use Ludwigia sphaerocarpa as a color accent in midground clusters.
– Combine with fine-textured greens (e.g., Rotala rotundifolia green, Myriophyllum species) to make the orange tips pop.
– Its compact crown structure works beautifully in nature-style and diorama-style layouts.
– Works well in terrarium-style paludariums too, thanks to its ability to grow emersed.