Hydrocotyle verticillata
Scientific name: Hydrocotyle verticillata
Family: Apiaceae
Usual maximum size in aquariums: 0 - 10 cm (0 - 3.94 inch)
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Recommended pH range for the species: 6 - 7.8
Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43ppm)
0°C 32°F30°C 86°F
Recommended temperature: 15 - 25 °C (59 - 77°F)
Reproduction of the plant: Lateral shoots
Origin (in the wild): South America
How fast these plants grow: Slow
Recommended substrate: Fine gravel
Demands on lighting: Bright
Ideal placement in a fish tank: Foreground
Common Name
Whorled pennywort
Lighting Requirements
Medium to Bright
Propagation
Lateral shoots will grow sideways from the mother plants and at each node on the stems, new plantlets will appear. These plantlets will establish themselves in the substrate but make sure that there are plenty of nutrients available to promote quick root growth on the new plants. Cuttings can be taken from the runners as long as a leaf is growing from each section, propagating this way allows you to place each cutting where you wish and also to move the cuttings to new aquariums if required. You can also control the spreading of this plant using this method as it can become quite invasive if not kept in check.
Difficulty
Easy
Short Description
This plant can be grown emersed or submersed. When placed at the edge of ponds or in marshy areas, the growth rate will be quite fast. In the aquarium when the plant is submersed the growth rate will be really slow. If kept under bright lighting, the plant will be low growing and will form a carpet but if the lighting is medium the stems will grow taller.
This plant is classed as a weed when it grows naturally and it can be found extensively over a wide area of the Americas. The secret to a healthy plant is to get the lighting level correct, if the lighting is too low then the growth will be long and leggy with little strength in the stems, brighter lighting will ensure shorter growth but much stronger stems.
The beauty of this plant is the unusual shape of the leaves which resemble small parasols and make a great feature in the planted aquarium.