Hydrocotyle tripartita

Quick facts

Max height

10 cm

Growth rate

fast

Difficulty

beginner

Placement

foreground, midground

Propagation

runners

Water parameters

Temperature

20–28°C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Hardness

2 to 15 dGH

Light and nutrients

Lighting

medium

CO2

not required, but boosts growth and color

Substrate

rooted

Feeding

feeds from the water column (use liquid fertilizer)

Substrate

What this plant roots into (or attaches to). The substrate affects both plant nutrition and water chemistry; see each linked page for full effects.

This plant feeds primarily from the water column, so substrate choice matters more for its fish-tank compatibility than for plant nutrition.

With fish

Plant-eating fish

will be eaten by mollies, silver dollars, large goldfish, and other plant-grazers

Diggers (corydoras, loaches)

may get uprooted by active diggers

Root-disturbing fish

sensitive to root disturbance, plant where roots stay undisturbed

Habitat

Native to Southeast Asia and Australia, found in wet meadows, stream margins, and shallow water. The species (Hydrocotyle tripartita, commonly called hydrocotyle or 'Japan' in the hobby) has small, clover-like trilobed leaves (each leaf divided into three rounded lobes) on thin, creeping stems. The overall effect is a delicate, carpeting ground cover with a distinct clover-leaf texture. The 'Japan' trade name is misleading; the plant is from Southeast Asia, not Japan. Introduced to the aquascaping hobby in the 2000s, it quickly became popular for its ability to carpet, climb, and grow over hardscape, creating a naturalistic mossy-carpet look that's different from the grass-like texture of Eleocharis or Sagittaria. Several related Hydrocotyle species are sold under similar names; H. tripartita 'Japan' is the most common. True H. verticillata and H. leucocephala are different species with larger, rounder leaves and a more upright growth habit.

Care notes

A versatile plant that carpets the foreground, climbs up hardscape, and cascades over rocks and driftwood. Moderate to high light produces the tightest, most compact growth. Under low light, the stems elongate and the plant becomes leggy. CO2 injection is strongly recommended for carpet-like growth; without CO2, it grows slowly and tends to climb rather than carpet. Rich substrate supports root-zone feeding but the plant also absorbs nutrients from the water column through its leaves. Plant small portions and press them into the substrate; the creeping stems root at each node. Growth under optimal conditions (high light, CO2, nutrients) is fast: the carpet fills in within 4-6 weeks. Trim frequently with scissors to maintain a low, dense carpet; if left untrimmed, the stems pile on top of each other and the lower layers die from light deprivation. The climbing habit means the plant will grow up driftwood and rocks if it reaches them, creating a unique draped effect. This can be a feature or a nuisance depending on the aquascape design. Temperature: 20–28°C. pH 6.0-7.5. Propagation by stem cuttings or division; any fragment with a node can root and grow. A popular mid-level difficulty plant for aquascapers who want a carpet with a distinct texture.

Further reading

• How to cycle a fish tank
• Water chemistry for fishkeepers: pH, GH, KH, and what they mean