Limnophila sessiliflora (ambulia): grower data and US listing
A fast, undemanding stem plant from Asia that Tropica rates easy, with low light and CO2 demand [1]. It is listed as a federal noxious weed in the United States under the name ambulia [3].
Grower data
As published by Tropica Aquarium Plants[1]
- Light demand
- LowTropica: medium light demand is 0.5 W/L.
- CO2 demand
- LowTropica: medium need 6–14 mg/L; high approx. 15–25 mg/L.
- Growth rate
- Not published by the source
- Difficulty
- Easy
| Type | Stem |
|---|---|
| Origin (grower) | Asia |
| Height after two months | 15 - 30+ cm |
| Placement | background[2] |
| Growth (second grower) | Very fast[2] |
| Light (second grower) | Medium[2] |
| Care height (second grower) | 15–60 cm[2] |
| Water hardness (maximum) | Hard[2] |
Name and range
- Accepted name
- Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume[4]
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native range
- Assam, Bangladesh, China South-Central, China Southeast, East Himalaya, India, Inner Mongolia, Japan, Jawa, Korea, Malaya, Manchuria, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto and 5 more regions
- Introduced in
- Bolivia, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Marianas, Sierra Leone, Texas
- Records
- WCVP via GBIF and POWO
What the grower data says
Tropica calls Limnophila sessiliflora a pretty and undemanding plant and rates it easy, with low light and low CO2 demand [1]. Its growth-rate field is blank, but the description says the stems grow fast, up to 40 cm tall and 3–4 cm wide [1]. Aquasabi rates growth “very fast”, light medium rather than low, gives a care height of 15–60 cm and lists no need for added CO2 [2].
Tropica pitches it as “a great alternative to Cabomba”, which requires a lot of light [1]. The trade-off is shape. Tropica says it often grows leggy in poor light, which adding CO2 can counteract to some extent [1].
Placement and planting
Aquasabi lists it as a background plant [2], and Tropica says it is most beautiful planted in groups [1]. With stems up to 40 cm, it fills the back of most tanks quickly.
Growth and spread
Two habits make it easy to propagate. Cut-off shoots planted in the substrate soon form new roots and continue growing, and in good conditions the plant sends out runners and spreads across the bottom [1]. Fast growth also means fast nutrient uptake; nitrate and potassium use are covered in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Legal status
Limnophila sessiliflora is designated a federal noxious weed in the United States. 7 CFR 360.200 lists it among the aquatic and wetland weeds as “Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume (ambulia)” [3], the same “ambulia” name Tropica says the plant used to be sold under [1]. The regulation’s footnote explains that a listing at species level includes all subspecies, varieties and forms [3]. Check federal and state rules before buying, trading or disposing of it, and keep every fragment out of drains, ponds and waterways; see invasive aquarium plants and safe disposal.
Names and taxonomy
The World Checklist of Vascular Plants accepts Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume in the plantain family Plantaginaceae. Vahl first described it as Hottonia sessiliflora; among its eight synonyms is Ambulia sessiliflora (Vahl) Baill. ex Wettst. [4], which is where the trade name “Ambulia” comes from.
Its native range covers South and East Asia: India, the eastern Himalaya, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Indochina, Malaya and Java [4, 5]. WCVP records it as introduced in California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas, in Bolivia, the Mariana Islands and Sierra Leone [4].
Questions
Why is my Limnophila sessiliflora leggy?
Tropica says it often grows leggy in poor light, and that adding CO2 counteracts this to some extent [1].
Similar plants
Related guides
- FertilizersNitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in planted tanksWhat N, P and K do in plants, the forms plants take up, how aquarium dosing expresses them, and what growers and dosing methods say about each.
- Algae & problemsInvasive aquarium plants and how to dispose of trimmings safelySeveral common aquarium plants are established in US waters and two are federal noxious weeds. What the official records say, and how to dispose of trimmings safely.
Compare it with the other profiled plants in the plant parameter table.
Sources
- Limnophila sessiliflora (plant details, 047PCS). Tropica Aquarium Plants. Type, origin, height, light, CO2 and difficulty; growth blank; description: undemanding, alternative to Cabomba, stems to 40 cm, leggy in poor light, runners, cut shoots root, formerly 'Ambulia'. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Limnophila sessiliflora (Aquarium Plant Profile). Aquasabi. Placement: background; easy; very fast; medium light; hardness up to hard; 15–60 cm; CO2 not required. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- 7 CFR 360.200: Designation of noxious weeds. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (US Government), up to date as of 8 October 2026. (a) Aquatic and wetland weeds include Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume (ambulia); a species listing includes all subspecies, varieties and forms. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume: World Checklist of Vascular Plants record (via GBIF). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; dataset published 2026-06-04, CC BY 4.0. Accepted name, family, synonyms, native and introduced range. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Limnophila sessiliflora: Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Addressed by IPNI identifier 804361-1; POWO displays the same WCVP data. Accessed October 12, 2026.