Dwarf pennywort

Hydrocotyle tripartita

Fine-leaved creeping plant that makes thick carpets or mats on hardscape.

Needs

Care levelModerate

LightMedium

CO₂Not needed

GrowthFast

HeightUp to 10 cm

Temperature20–28 °C

WhereFront of the tank

Feeds throughLeaves, from the water

FamilyAraliaceae

Native toSoutheast Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania) and New Zealand

Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. See sources

How to keep it

Good light for compact carpets
CO2 and nutrients for best growth
Thin out regularly
Press the carpet with your palm to keep it low

Low light (stems grow upright and slower)

Sources

15 facts checked with sources

Scientific namePOWO: Hydrocotyle tripartita R.Br. ex A.Rich. · Tropica: Hydrocotyle tripartita (039B) · Flowgrow: Hydrocotyle sp. "Japan"
FamilycorrectedPOWO: Hydrocotyle tripartita R.Br. ex A.Rich. · Flowgrow: Hydrocotyle cf. tripartita
Native rangecorrectedPOWO: Hydrocotyle tripartita R.Br. ex A.Rich. · Flowgrow: Hydrocotyle cf. tripartita · Tropica: Hydrocotyle tripartita (039B)
Plant typeTropica plant search: Hydrocotyle · Tropica: Hydrocotyle tripartita (039B)
LightTropica: Hydrocotyle tripartita (039B)
CO₂correctedTropica: Hydrocotyle tripartita (039B) · Aquasabi: Hydrocotyle tripartita
GrowthTropica plant search: Hydrocotyle · Flowgrow: Hydrocotyle cf. tripartita
Care levelTropica: Hydrocotyle tripartita (039B) · Aquasabi: Hydrocotyle tripartita
HeightTropica: Hydrocotyle tripartita (039B) · Flowgrow: Hydrocotyle sp. "Japan"
TemperaturecorrectedFlowgrow: Hydrocotyle cf. tripartita
Where to plantAquasabi: Hydrocotyle tripartita
Water or land plantcorrectedFlowgrow: Hydrocotyle cf. tripartita · Tropica: Hydrocotyle tripartita (039B)
AboutAquasabi: Hydrocotyle tripartita · Flowgrow: Hydrocotyle sp. "Japan"
Care tipsTropica: Hydrocotyle tripartita (039B) · Flowgrow: Hydrocotyle sp. "Japan" · Aquasabi: Hydrocotyle tripartita
LawscorrectedWikipedia: List of invasive alien species of Union concern (cites Implementing Regulations 2016/1141, 2017/1263, 2019/1262, 2022/1203, 2025/1422) · Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1141 adopting the list of invasive alien species of Union concern