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Mosaic Plant Ludwigia sedoides

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Mosaic Plant:

Phonetic Spelling
lud-WIG-ee-uh see-DOY-deez
Description

The mosaic plant is a floating, aquatic, herbaceous perennial in the primrose family, native to Brazil, but often grown as an annual in other climates.  While only 4 inches high at maturity, it has colorful floating diamond leaves that form an intricate rose pattern and cup-shaped yellow flowers that blossom in summer. The genus name honors Christian G. Ludwig (1709-1773), a professor at Leipzig. The species name means resembling sedum.

Mosaic Plant requires lots of sun or artificial light, a wet environment, and heavy macro and micro fertilization to produce attractive growth. Flower production requires optimal conditions of light, moisture, and fertilization.To propagate the plant, cut off the floating rosette leaving a piece of the stem. A new rosette will develop on it after a short while.

The Mosaic Plant is not winter hardy in North Carolina and needs to be brought indoors where it can be grown as an annual in containers covered with 6 to 18 inches of 72 degree F. water and rooted in the substrate below the water surface. The water requirements of these plants makes them difficult to overwinter indoors, but they can be placed in large aquariums for that purpose. Use in an aquarium is complicated by light and nutrient requirements.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known insect or disease problems. Can be susceptible to leaf spot and rust.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#water garden#yellow flowers#colorful leaves#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#pond garden#naturalizes#wet soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#wet sites#small
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#water garden#yellow flowers#colorful leaves#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#pond garden#naturalizes#wet soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#wet sites#small
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ludwigia
    Species:
    sedoides
    Family:
    Onagraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Mexico to Tropical America, Brazil, Venezuela
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Water Plant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Explosive capsules release seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Two-inch, cup-shaped yellow blooms from June to August that float on the surface of the water.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Rhomboidal
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Red and green diamond-shaped leaves appear in rounded clusters of 3 to 6 inch wide rosettes floating on the water surface. The edges of central and older leaves turn bright red when the plant is grown under bright light or sunlight. Leaf rosettes are fully extended during daytime and contracted at night where the leaves overlap one another.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Hollow, reddish and brittle stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent