Mexican Primrose Willow

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ludwigia octovalvis

Last reviewed: August 2026

Ludwigia octovalvis is a wetland forb of ditches, marsh edges, and pond margins across the Gulf Coast and Southeast, producing yellow flowers in full sun and consistently moist to wet soil from June through November.

Toxicity unknown

Mexican Primrose Willow (Ludwigia octovalvis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

36"–72" H × 36"–72" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Native to

AL, FL, GA, LA and 4 more states

Pollinators

butterflies, moths

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Edwards Plateau Southern Texas Plains Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

Mexican Primrose Willow is a tall native perennial that produces bright yellow flowers from summer through late fall. This robust plant can reach up to 6 feet in height and width, making it suitable for larger landscape areas where you want substantial coverage.

Growing Mexican Primrose Willow

Grow Mexican Primrose Willow in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 72 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Mexican Primrose Willow takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range

Wildlife value

The long blooming period provides nectar for butterflies and moths from June through November. Its extended flowering season makes it particularly valuable for late-season pollinators when other food sources may be scarce.

Common questions

What growing conditions does Ludwigia octovalvis need?: It grows best in full sun with soil that stays consistently moist to wet, such as ditch banks, pond edges, and marshy ground.
When does Ludwigia octovalvis bloom?: Flowering runs from June through November, with small yellow blooms appearing steadily through the warm months.
What pollinators visit Ludwigia octovalvis?: Butterflies and moths are the main visitors to its yellow flowers.
How much water does Ludwigia octovalvis need to thrive?: It tolerates standing or saturated soil as well as evenly moist medium conditions, but it struggles in dry, well drained sites.
Does Ludwigia octovalvis stay green year round?: In warm, humid climates it can hold foliage most of the year, though growth slows and dies back where winters bring hard frost.
Is Mexican Primrose Willow HOA-friendly?: Mexican Primrose Willow takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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Common questions

What growing conditions does Ludwigia octovalvis need?

It grows best in full sun with soil that stays consistently moist to wet, such as ditch banks, pond edges, and marshy ground.

When does Ludwigia octovalvis bloom?

Flowering runs from June through November, with small yellow blooms appearing steadily through the warm months.

What pollinators visit Ludwigia octovalvis?

Butterflies and moths are the main visitors to its yellow flowers.

How much water does Ludwigia octovalvis need to thrive?

It tolerates standing or saturated soil as well as evenly moist medium conditions, but it struggles in dry, well drained sites.

Does Ludwigia octovalvis stay green year round?

In warm, humid climates it can hold foliage most of the year, though growth slows and dies back where winters bring hard frost.

Is Mexican Primrose Willow HOA-friendly?

Mexican Primrose Willow takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides