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Plants / Stem Plants
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Stem Plants · Tough

Whorled pennywort

Hydrocotyle verticillata

Small umbrella-shaped (parasol) leaves rising from creeping runners that form a low carpet; also grows emersed in moist soil, so it suits paludariums and ponds.

Needs

Care levelHard
LightHigh
CO₂Helps
GrowthMedium
HeightUp to 10 cm
Temperature18–25 °C
WhereFront of the tank
Feeds throughLeaves, from the water
FamilyAraliaceae
Native toThe Americas (much of the USA through Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to Argentina and Chile), plus tropical and southern Africa, Madagascar, Iran and the Transcaucasus
Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. See sources

How to keep it

  • Strong light keeps it small and compact
  • Soft, slightly acidic water
  • CO2 helps
  • Trim runners with sharp scissors
  • Weak light (grows tall)
  • Heavy fertilising (leaves grow much larger, loses dwarf habit)

Sources

15 facts checked with sources