Water Purslane Plant Care
Ludwigia palustris Elliott
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ludwigia palustris is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common names marsh seedbox, Hampshire-purslane and water purslane. This is an aquatic or semiaquatic perennial herb which grows in moist to wet to flooded areas.
Full sun to part shade
At a glance
How do you care for Water Purslane?
Water Purslane grows best in full sun to part shade.
What Is the Water Purslane?
Water Purslane (Ludwigia palustris) belongs to the Onagraceae family within the Ludwigia genus. Water Purslane is also known as Marsh Seedbox, Water Primrose.
Water Purslane displays a spreading, aquatic plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Water Purslane produces small yellow flowers.
What Light Does the Water Purslane Need?
Water Purslane thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water Purslane?
Rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Water Purslane to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Water Purslane?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Water Purslane?
Water Purslane can be propagated through stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to peruvian primrose-willow plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Water Purslane Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Water Purslane, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Water Purslane?
Water Purslane is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Water Purslane is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ludwigia genus — compare its care with other Ludwigia species on PlantoScan.
Ludwigia is part of the Onagraceae plant family — browse all Onagraceae genera and species.
Water Purslane thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Ludwigia Species
Other Ludwigia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ludwigia palustris Elliott, family Onagraceae (first published in Sketch Bot. S. Carolina [Elliott] 1: 211. 1817 [Mar 1817]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Water Purslane, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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