Plant comparison
Brazilian Pennywort vs Water Lettuce
How the Brazilian Pennywort and Water Lettuce compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Brazilian Pennywort vs Water Lettuce
The Brazilian Pennywort and the Water Lettuce 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. 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.
1 note
Temperature
- Brazilian Pennywort20–28 °C
- Water Lettuce20–30 °C
pH
- Brazilian Pennywort6–7.8
- Water Lettuce6–8
Hardness
- Brazilian Pennywort2–20 dGH
- Water Lettuce1–15 dGH
What to plan for
- Water Lettuce is regulatedWater Lettuce is banned or listed as invasive in several US states and parts of Australia / South Africa. Check local rules before sourcing.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantBrazilian PennywortHydrocotyle leucocephala |  PlantWater LettucePistia stratiotes |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Central and South America | Tropics worldwide |
| Family | Araliaceae | Araceae |
| Temperature | 20–28 °C | 20–30 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.8 | 6.0–8.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 2–20 | 1–15 |
| Flow rate | Low to Medium | Low (still water) |
| Max height | 10–50 cm | 5–15 cm |
| Difficulty | 1 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Light | Low to High | Medium to High |
| CO₂ | None to Optional | Not required |
| 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 Water Lettuce 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 Water Lettuce?
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 Water Lettuce 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 Water Lettuce?
Placement and light. The Brazilian Pennywort works as midground, the Water Lettuce as floating, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.