Hydrocotyle Japan (Japanese Pennywort)

You will receive your choice of a golf ball-sized clump or a 3x3 inch mat of live Hydrocotyle Japan (Japanese Pennywort), freshly harvested and packed to arrive healthy and ready to plant.

Hydrocotyle Japan is one of the most visually distinctive plants in the freshwater hobby. Its small, round, scalloped leaves stack along each stem in a neat, almost coin-like arrangement — creating a charming tiered look that stands apart from typical foreground and carpeting plants. It creeps naturally along the substrate, spreading runners outward to fill in the foreground over time, or can be planted upright for a layered mid-ground column. Few carpeting plants offer this much personality and layout flexibility in a single species.

✦ What you're getting
Choose a golf ball-sized clump for a starter portion ideal for small tanks or accent areas, or a 3x3 inch mat for immediate foreground coverage and faster establishment across a wider area. Both sizes are healthy, dense portions ready to anchor and spread.

✦ Care at a glance
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Lighting: Medium to high (low light causes upward stretching rather than creeping)
• CO₂: Not required, but encourages faster, denser carpeting
• Fertilizer: Benefits from liquid ferts or a nutrient-rich substrate
• Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Placement: Foreground creeper or mid-ground upright accent

✦ Growth behavior & layout tips
Hydrocotyle Japan's growth pattern responds directly to how it's planted and the light it receives:
• Planted loosely or horizontally — naturally creeps along the substrate, sending runners outward to form a spreading foreground carpet
• Planted upright — stems grow vertically, stacking leaves in a tiered column; trim tops to encourage bushy lateral branching
• High light — stays compact and low-growing, ideal for a tight foreground carpet
• Lower light — stems reach upward toward the surface rather than spreading

✦ Growth & propagation
Hydrocotyle Japan spreads readily on its own via runners. Separate and replant runners to expand coverage across the foreground. Trim upright stems and replant cuttings to fill in gaps. Growth is moderate to fast under good light and nutrient conditions.

✦ Shipping & live arrival
All plants are shipped with heat or cool packs as needed based on weather. I guarantee live arrival — if your plants arrive in poor condition, contact me with a photo within 24 hours of delivery and I will make it right.