Giant ambulia

Limnophila aquatica

Also known as Water ambulia

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Giant ambulia (Limnophila aquatica) — Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Light: High light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Temperature: 72–82°F; 22–28°C
Max height: 19.7 in; 50 cm

Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Background
Type: Stem
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: 4–15 dGH
Spread: 4.7 in (12 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Medium
Family: Plantaginaceae
Origin: Native to marshes, ponds, and rice paddies in India and Sri Lanka.

Overview

Giant ambulia is a tall, fast-growing stem plant for the background. It rates medium in difficulty.

Did you know

Giant ambulia changes its leaves when it grows out of the water. Above the surface it makes firmer, undivided leaves and can open lilac flowers.

Caring for giant ambulia

Plant giant ambulia in the background, in a nutrient-rich substrate. Strip the lower leaves and set the stems a little apart, with room for side shoots.

It wants high light, and in weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves. It grows without injected CO2, but CO2 brings dense, feathery growth. It feeds through its roots and its leaves, so use root tabs alongside a liquid fertilizer.

Growth is fast. Under good light it sends out many side shoots and quickly fills the back of the tank. Trim the tops as they near the surface and replant them to keep the stand bushy. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

Good to know

Giant ambulia, Limnophila aquatica, belongs to the plantain family, Plantaginaceae. It was moved there from the older figwort family, Scrophulariaceae. Its tall stems are ringed with whorls of finely divided, feathery bright green leaves, an adaptation to life underwater.

In the wild

Giant ambulia is native to India and Sri Lanka. It grows in ponds, marshes and rice paddies, where it forms thick underwater bushes.

Common questions

Does giant ambulia need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does giant ambulia need CO2?

No, but it helps. Giant ambulia can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does giant ambulia need?

Giant ambulia needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light its stems stretch and drop their lower leaves.

Does giant ambulia need root tabs?

They help. Giant ambulia takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate giant ambulia?

Giant ambulia propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.