Plant comparison
Brazilian Pennywort vs Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan'
How the Brazilian Pennywort and Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan' compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Brazilian Pennywort vs Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan'
The Brazilian Pennywort and the Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan' are close cousins, both in the Hydrocotyle group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 20 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Brazilian Pennywort is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan' rewards a bit more attention. In a low-tech, low-light setup the Brazilian Pennywort is the safer bet; the other really wants brighter light to look its best.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Brazilian Pennywort20–28 °C
- Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan'20–28 °C
pH
- Brazilian Pennywort6–7.8
- Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan'5.5–7.5
Hardness
- Brazilian Pennywort2–20 dGH
- Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan'2–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantBrazilian PennywortHydrocotyle leucocephala |  PlantHydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan'Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan' |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Central and South America | Selectively bred cultivar (originated in Japan) |
| Family | Araliaceae | Araliaceae |
| Temperature | 20–28 °C | 20–28 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.8 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–20 | 2–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low to Medium |
| Max height | 10–50 cm | 3–10 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Light | Low to High | Medium to High |
| CO₂ | None to Optional | Recommended |
| Growth rate | Fast | Fast |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Brazilian Pennywort and Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan' together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 20 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Brazilian Pennywort or the Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan'?
The Brazilian Pennywort is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan' leans beginner-friendly.
Do Brazilian Pennywort and Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan' need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 20 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Brazilian Pennywort and the Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan'?
Placement and light. The Brazilian Pennywort works as midground, the Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan' as foreground or midground, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.