Hydrocotyle Tripartita (Hydrocotyle tripartita) Care Guide

A charming creeping plant with small clover-shaped leaves that forms dense mats. Popular in aquascaping for its unique leaf shape and ability to cascade over hardscape.

Overview

Hydrocotyle tripartita is an aquatic plant in the family Araliaceae. A charming creeping plant with small clover-shaped leaves that forms dense mats. Popular in aquascaping for its unique leaf shape and ability to cascade over hardscape. Can be used as carpet, midground, or attached to driftwood.

Taxonomy

Family: Araliaceae
Genus: Hydrocotyle
Scientific name: Hydrocotyle tripartita
Other names: Hydrocotyle Japan, Hydrocotyle sp. Japan

Habitat

Native to New Zealand and the Australian states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Grows as a creeping herb along moist edges; submerged forms develop small three-lobed leaves on slender vertical stems.

Growth requirements

Light: medium (≈50-80 PAR at substrate)
CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
Temperature: 20-28 °C
pH: 6-7.5
GH: 2-12 °dGH
Substrate: nutrient-rich aquasoil or fertilised gravel
Nutrient demand: medium
Growth rate: medium
Difficulty: intermediate

Placement

Maximum height: 10 cm
Trim every: 14 days

Propagation

In cultivation the plant is propagated by runners (daughter plants on horizontal stolons) and stem cuttings (replant the upper portion after trimming).