Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides 'Japan' Care Guide
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides 'Japan' is a small creeping Asian pennywort (Araliaceae) used as a delicate carpet or foreground plant in freshwater aquaria.
Overview
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, traded in aquaria as Hydrocotyle 'Japan', is a creeping plant with small rounded, lobed leaves on slender stems. It spreads by runners to form a low emerald-green carpet and tolerates a wide range of conditions.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araliaceae
- Genus: Hydrocotyle
- Scientific name: Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides
- Common name: lawn marshpennywort
Habitat
The species is native to southeastern Asia and grows in conditions ranging from dry ground to occasionally submerged sites; it is now established in parts of the eastern United States and California. Leaves are kidney-shaped to round with five to seven shallow lobes and measure roughly 0.5-2 cm across.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 18-28 °C (64-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-14 °dGH
- Maximum height: about 5 cm
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: not required
- Placement: carpet / foreground
Growth and care
Growth is fast and the plant is considered undemanding. It develops most densely under good light; in lower light it grows more openly. Regular trimming keeps the carpet low and prevents stems from climbing.
Propagation
The plant spreads vegetatively through runners that root at the nodes; sections can be separated and replanted to expand coverage.