Description
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, the Lawn Pennywort, originates from Asia and Africa, occurring in several moderately dry to wet places, sometimes also submerged. Since the Australian species Hydrocotyle tripartita got popular among aquarium hobbyists, H. sibthorpioides has fallen somewhat into oblivion. The cultivar 'Variegata' has white zones in the leaves and was previously known as a plant for pond margins, also under the trading name "Crystal Confetti". We found that it is able to grow under water as well as the normal form of the Lawn Pennywort. The submerged shoots grow horizontal, ascending to upright and develop side shoots. They form a dense tangle with time. In their terrestrial form the shoots grow creeping, with roots on the nodes.
The Lawn Pennywort is moderately demanding as aquarium plant. It should well lit and benefits much from CO2 addition and complete macro- and micronutrient supply via the water column. Otherwise the water parameters are of minor importance. Temperatures between about 22 and 28 are favourable, but the plant also tolerates colder water below 20℃. Plant small bushes of several stems into the ground, with some space of each other. The shoots spread above the ground. Occasional trimming is necessary to keep the bush in shape. Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides is easily grown as terrestrial plant. Lay the shoots onto wet ground where they will root into the substrate and form a dense carpet.
With its small, roundish, white and green leaves, the Variegated Lawn Pennywort provides a nice accent in the midground to foreground. It is also interesting as terrestrial, mat-forming plant for paludariums and Wabi-Kusa.
Characteristic
Small roundish leaves with white zone
Horizontal to upright growth
Also interesting for paludariums and Wabi-Kusa
Category
Middle Ground
Carbon Dioxide
need
