Limnophila sessiliflora 'Ambulia' - Immersed Potted Plant

Limnophila sessiliflora (often sold as “Ambulia”, Asian marshweed), is fast-growing, fine-leaved stem plant valued for its soft, feathery texture and bright green colour. In good conditions it forms dense, bushy groups that add movement and depth to community aquaria. Easy for beginners, yet attractive enough for advanced aquascapes.

Origin

Southeast and South Asia (widespread across tropical Asia in slow-moving waters, rice paddies and swamps).

Physical characteristics

• Leaf shape & size: Submerged leaves are finely divided, feathery and arranged in whorls (6–12 leaves per node). Emersed leaves (in humid riparia/paludaria) become broader and less divided. Individual submerged leaflets typically a few millimetres wide; stems commonly 30–60 cm tall in aquaria.

• Colour: Light to bright green; tips may show a slightly lighter, lime tone under strong light.

• Growth habit: Upright stem; produces frequent lateral shoots. Fast apical growth with potential for 3–8 cm per week in nutrient-rich, CO₂-supplemented aquaria.

Aquarium requirements

• Growth requirements (difficulty): Easy–moderate. Forgiving of a range of conditions; thrives with steady nutrients.

• Lighting: Medium light is sufficient; medium–high light yields denser, more compact whorls. Avoid excessive intensity without matching CO₂ and nutrients (risk of algae on fine foliage).

• CO₂: Low to medium demand. Grows without CO₂, but supplementation (10–20 mg/L) markedly improves density, colour and resistance to algae.

• Fertilisation: Benefits from balanced water-column fertilisers (NPK + traces). Responds well to nitrate and iron availability; pale, thin tips often indicate nitrogen or micronutrient shortage.

• Substrate: Will root in inert gravel or sand; growth improves with nutrient-rich substrate or regular root tabs.

• Water parameters:

  • Temperature: 20–28 °C (tolerant 18–30 °C)

  • pH: 6.0–7.5

  • GH: 3–12 °dGH

  • KH: 1–8 °dKH

  • Flow: Gentle to moderate; excessive flow can distort the very fine leaves.

Planting & spacing

• Plant individual stems 3–5 cm apart to allow light to the lower whorls and promote bushy side-shooting.

• Ideal as a mid- to background group; use a curved or triangular layout (taller at the back) for depth.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Trim healthy apical portions 10–15 cm long and replant the tops; tops root quickly and keep the best form.

• Side shoots: Pinch lateral shoots and plant as new stems.

• Regularly remove and discard older, lower stem sections once they become woody or sparse.

Maintenance

• Trimming strategy:

  • Hedge method: Trim a dense bush to the desired height; leave stumps 5–10 cm tall to produce new shoots.

  • Top-replant method: Cut near the substrate and replant the best tops; remove older bases.

• Preventing legginess: Ensure adequate light reaches lower nodes; maintain spacing and flow, and avoid shadowing by hardscape.

• Algae management: Fine leaves catch debris and algae. Maintain stable CO₂ (if used), avoid over-lighting, and provide consistent nutrients. Gentle wafting during water changes helps clean detritus.

Aquascaping use

• Soft, “cloud-like” texture for nature and Dutch-style layouts.

• Excellent contrast against broad-leaf swords, crypts or hardscape.

• Provides cover for fry and shrimp; creates a calm, “forest” background behind open sand or pathways.

Companion compatibility

• Community-safe. Particularly good in shrimp and small fish tanks (tetras, rasboras).

• Avoid with boisterous diggers or plant-eaters (e.g., large cichlids, goldfish) that may uproot or damage fine foliage.

Lifecycle & emersed form

• Perennial. Will adapt to emersed growth in humid setups (paludarium/pond margins), developing broader leaves; can produce small lilac-to-pinkish flowers above water.

Common issues & diagnostics

• Pale/yellowing new growth: Often nitrogen or iron deficiency—dose a complete fertiliser and ensure NO₃ ~10–20 mg/L.

• Leggy, sparse lower stems: Insufficient light at the base; thin the group, increase light penetration, or re-set with top-replanting.

• Melt after purchase: Typical transition shock from emersed to submerged leaves; new submerged growth usually appears within 1–3 weeks.

Special features / Benefits

• Rapid nutrient uptake helps stabilise new tanks and compete with algae.

• Beginner-friendly alternative to very demanding fine-leaf stems (often compared with Cabomba-type textures, but easier to keep compact).

Origin
Country or continent where a plant is the most common. Cultivars arise or are bred in cultivation.

Growth Rate
Growth rate of the plant compared to other aquatic plants.

Height
Average height (cm) of the plant after two months in the tank.

Light Demand
The average or medium light demand of an aquarium plant is 0.5 W/L.

CO2 Demand
A medium need in CO2 is 6-14 mg/L. A high demand in CO2 is approx. 15-25 mg/L.