Hydrocotyle Tripartita

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Hydrocotyle Japan; Japanese Pennywort; Australian Hydrocotyle; Dwarf Pennywort

Synonyms

Hydrocotyle sp. "Japan"; Hydrocotyle cf. tripartita

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Southeast Asia, Australia (Queensland)

Habitat

Swampy areas, shaded stream edges, and moist muddy soils; grows as a creeping emersed species along banks or fully submerged during seasonal flooding

Sourcing

Aquacultured

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Easy

Growth form

Carpeting

Max height

1 – 4 in (2.5 – 10 cm)

Growth rate

Fast

Placement

Foreground, Midground, Carpet, Epiphyte

Water

Temperature

68 – 82 °F (20 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

2 – 12 dGH

dKH

2 – 10 dKH

PAR

50 – 100 PAR

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

Medium

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

Medium

Colors

Green

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Runners, Cuttings, Splitting

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Care guide

Overview

Tiny three-lobed leaves resembling miniature clover spread across thread-like stolons that root at every node encountered. Under medium-high light and CO2 it flattens into a dense low carpet, while weaker light produces a looser, more upright habit. Easy and fast-growing, it suits foreground or midground placement but needs regular trimming to prevent overrunning neighboring plants.

Care

A vigorous creeping plant with small three-lobed leaves that resemble tiny clover, spreading by thread-like stolons that root at every node. Under medium to high light with CO2 injection the runners flatten and the leaves shrink down to form a dense low carpet, while in weaker light it grows more upright with longer petioles and spaced leaves. Regular trimming and physically pressing the mat down during maintenance keeps growth low and compact rather than letting it pile up. It tolerates a wide range of water chemistry and can be grown planted in substrate, tied to hardscape, or even left floating.

Planting & trimming

Plant runners with at least one node buried in the substrate, spacing small clumps a couple of inches apart to let it fill in naturally, or tuck stems into cracks in rock or wood where the roots will tangle into the hardscape over time. Pressing the carpet down by hand during routine maintenance discourages vertical climbing and keeps the mat tight and low. Trim regularly, cutting back new vertical shoots to redirect energy into horizontal spreading.

Fertilizing

Feeds heavily through its dense adventitious roots but also draws a large amount of nitrogen and potassium from the water column, so regular liquid fertilizing suits it better than relying on substrate alone. Root tabs can help when planted directly in substrate, especially in nutrient-poor setups. Pale or yellowing leaf edges, or leaves turning whitish, usually signal a macronutrient or iron deficiency that needs correcting.

Propagation

Propagates readily from stem cuttings and runners that have developed nodes; simply cut a section with a node and replant it in substrate or against hardscape. Mature mats can also be divided into smaller sections and replanted elsewhere in the tank. Strong light, CO2, and good nutrient availability speed up both propagation success and lateral spread.

Problems

Fast growth means it can quickly overrun and shade out slower neighboring plants if left untrimmed. Leaves that pale or turn white at the margins point to a lack of iron or other macronutrients rather than disease. Emersed-grown stock can melt back somewhat when first submerged, so a gradual transition or patience during the first few weeks helps it settle in.

Sources

1. Hydrocotyle tripartita - Tropica Aquarium Plants
2. Hydrocotyle Japan care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
3. Hydrocotyle tripartita – hydrophytes.ca
4. Hydrocotyle cf. tripartita Aquatic Plant Care | Atlarium

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