The coralligenous habitat is a key subtidal ecosystem in the Mediterranean Sea, considered as a biodiversity hotspot due to its structural complexity and ecological services it provides. This habitat is primarily built by crustose coralline algae (CCA), which form biogenic structures that support diverse marine communities. Despite its ecological importance, this habitat is under increasing threat from anthropogenic pressures and climate change, which impair its stability and functioning. To date, active restoration efforts within coralligenous habitats have largely focused on gorgonians, with little to no research targeting the foundation CCA species. A preliminary field experiment conducted in 2022 using artificial tiles (ceramic and terracotta) deployed at 28m depth showed recruitment of a single CCA species (Titanoderma sp.), but no key bioconstructors were observed. This work aims to test, under controlled mesocosm conditions, the suitability of different artificial substrates for the specific recruitment of Lithophyllum stictiforme, a key framework-building species in coralligenous assemblages. Adult thalli were collected and induced to release spores in laboratory tanks where five types of substrates (ceramica, terracotta, granite, glass, plastic and limestone) were placed on the bottom. Recruitment success on each substrate was monitored over four months. Results showed that  L. stictiforme did not colonize any of the artificial substrates, despite successful spore release. These findings are consistent with previous field observations and raise important questions regarding the ecological succession of crustose coralline algae during initial phases of substrate colonization.