Plant comparison
Brazilian Pennywort vs Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)
How the Brazilian Pennywort and Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Brazilian Pennywort vs Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)
The Brazilian Pennywort and the Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) come up together a lot when people are choosing a plant, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 20 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.8, so a single tank can suit either one. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Brazilian Pennywort20–28 °C
- Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)18–30 °C
pH
- Brazilian Pennywort6–7.8
- Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)6–8
Hardness
- Brazilian Pennywort2–20 dGH
- Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)2–20 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantBrazilian PennywortHydrocotyle leucocephala |  PlantFloating Watermoss (Salvinia)Salvinia natans |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Central and South America | Europe, Asia, Africa (warm temperate) |
| Family | Araliaceae | Salviniaceae |
| Temperature | 20–28 °C | 18–30 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.8 | 6.0–8.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–20 | 2–20 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Still to Low |
| Max height | 10–50 cm | 2–5 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Low to High | Low to High |
| CO₂ | None to Optional | None |
| Growth rate | Fast | Very 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 Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 20 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.8, 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 Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)?
They sit at the same care level, both very easy, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Brazilian Pennywort and Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 20 to 28 °C and pH 6 to 7.8 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 Floating Watermoss (Salvinia)?
Placement and light. The Brazilian Pennywort works as midground, the Floating Watermoss (Salvinia) as floating, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.