| Common Name(s) | Giant Ambulia |
| Scientific Name | Limnophila aquatica |
| Origin | Sri Lanka, India, Asia |
| Ease of Growing | Easy |
| Placement | Background |
| Height | 9-20 inches |
| pH | 6.2 – 7.1 |
| Temperature | 24 – 27 °C (75.2 – 80.6°F) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to High |
| Propagation | Cuttings |
| Light Requirement | Moderate to High |
| CO2 Requirement | Recommended Low |
Known as the Giant Ambulia, the limnophila aquatic is a bushy and bright green plant that looks stunning in an aquarium. Coming from Southeastern Asian countries like India and Sri Lanka, the limnophila aquatic is capable of extremely fast growth under the correct conditions. This extremely beautiful aquarium plant has finely branched leaves that will eventually shoot horizontally that creates the attractive bushy look to the plant. When you put several stems in a small group, it becomes the most decorative as they create a hedge for your aquarium. Since it grows so much and so quickly, it has been known to stick its shoots above the water’s surface which end up forming gorgeous blue flowers.
Taking care of the limnophila aquatic is key to having them thrive in your tank. By following guides on how to care for the limnophila aquatic, you will raise your chances of keeping your limnophila aquatic alive and well. It is also good to plan your aquarium before buying anything. You certainly want to group creatures and plants together that have similar environments to get the most variety, while keeping everything in the tank happy.
Limnophila Aquatica Care
Caring for the limnophila aquatic is a relatively easy process as long as you have your tank settings at the right parameters. The thing you have to watch out for with the limnophila aquatic is how quickly they will grow if given the chance. You will certainly need to keep an eye on how much the limnophila aquatic is growing and trim back anything that becomes excess. This plant will get great nourishment from the substrate, so be sure to monitor your tank levels.
Lighting Requirement
In order for your limnophila aquatic to survive, it is going to need a medium bright light shining on it for around eight hours in the day. Since the plant comes from the southern areas of Asia, it is used to getting a bit of light on a daily basis. Anything around .5 Watts per liter should be fine enough for the limnophila aquatic to grow and thrive well.
Temperature
As for the temperature of the water, it needs to stay around 75.2 – 80.6°F (24 – 27 °C). Again, the region in which the limnophila aquatic comes from has warmer waters, so you want to try to keep your water levels in the same range. You might be ok with a slightly lower temperature, but the lower you go, the more chance there is for the limnophila aquatic to develop problems. This is why it is best to plan out your aquarium before you purchase anything, so you can avoid having to go to lower temperatures in the water.
pH Levels
The pH level needs to stay between 6.2-7.1. Anything lower or higher than this could cause damage to the limnophila aquatic and stunt its growth or kill it altogether.
Growth Rate
Here’s the thing about the limnophila aquatic, it will grow very quickly. In just a couple of months, the limnophila aquatic will rocket up the backside of your aquarium so fast. So be prepared for this level of growth. This plant can grow emersed.
Growth Height
The highest that the limnophila aquatic can get is around twenty or so inches. Generally speaking, the limnophila aquatic start off fairly long already. The stem can reach up to six inches long and prefer a gravel substrate. Just be sure that wherever you put the plant, you ensure that it is stable and supported. Since it does grow so high, it needs to be anchored well.
Limnophila Aquatica Co2 Requirement
A bit of CO2 and a nutritious bottom will give the limnophila aquatic the right conditions to grow efficiently and healthy. Only about 6-14 mg per liter is necessary for the plant to thrive.
Limnophila Aquatica Propagation
If you are wanting to propagate the limnophila aquatic, then you will need to do it by cuttings. When bought, the plant usually comes with cuttings bunched together to form a clump. This is the best way to introduce the limnophila aquatic to a new aquarium. After the plant is established, take the cuttings from the outer stems and group three or four of them together. That clump can then be placed inside the substrate to form a new plant.
Limnophila Aquatica for Sale
If you are looking to buy some limnophila aquatic for your aquarium, then there are a few options from where you can buy them from. There are online stores like Aquarium Plants Factory, Buceplant.com, and Etsy that sell the limnophila aquatic at a decent price. Most limnophila aquatic are generally under $17 and can be bought in bulk from most places. Some stores like to generalize plants since most of the public is none the wiser. Be sure to do some due diligence before you purchase anything to make sure you are getting good quality plants, which mean reading reviews and calling the store to ask relevant questions.
Limnophila Aquatica Types
There are different types of Limnophila Aquatica based on their coloration. Limnophila Aquatica Red and Limnophila Aquatica Green are two known types of this plant.
Limnophila Aquatica Red
There is a different type of limnophila aquatic with one being red. It has two or three leaves per node and has a foliage that is submerged in red tones. The stems are a gorgeous olive green to brownish red coloring. It can be emersed and well lit and can produce purplish flowers if properly cared for.
Limnophila Aquatica Green
Another type of the limnophila aquatic is the giant green type. This version has beautiful fine-leaved stems that are a light green color. This high-quality live tropical aquarium plant is ideal for aquascaping as it shines a bright green.
Limnophila Aquatica vs Limnophila Sessiliflora
There is also a very similar plant to the limnophila aquatic, which is the limnophila sessiliflora. From any low light, the two plants look like twins. Therefore, in order to tell the difference, you will need to have a more highly lighted tank. One difference is that the limnophila aquatic has a softer and bushier appearance to it, with thinner leaves. Furthermore, the limnophila sessiliflora has more oval leaves at the cross sections.