Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Bombproof beginner classic, round penny-shaped leaves on long winding stems. Either planted at the back to climb, or floated as a surface plant for shade and fry cover. Roots from every node so any cutting becomes a new plant. The fastest way to plant-out a new tank cheaply.
Brazilian Pennywort (Hydrocotyle leucocephala) is a stem (creeping or floating) aquatic plant for the midground (or floating) of a planted tank. It reaches 10–50 cm under good conditions and grows at a fast rate. Light: low to high. CO₂: none to optional. Target 20–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.8, and 2–20 dGH. Substrate: Any (or float on the surface). Propagate via cuttings, every node roots.
Care at a glance
Bombproof beginner classic, round penny-shaped leaves on long winding stems. Either planted at the back to climb, or floated as a surface plant for shade and fry cover. Roots from every node so any cutting becomes a new plant. The fastest way to plant-out a new tank cheaply.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether brazilian pennywort fits in your tank.
Araliaceae
Stem (creeping or floating)
Midground (or floating)
Any (or float on the surface)
Cuttings, every node roots
Slow-moving swamps and ditches of South America
Central and South America
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: none to optional. Light requirement: low to high. Under low-tech conditions the plant grows at a fast rate.
Brazilian Pennywort (Hydrocotyle leucocephala) needs low to high light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: midground (or floating). Substrate: Any (or float on the surface) It typically reaches 10–50 cm.
Propagation method: Cuttings, every node roots. Brazilian Pennywort is a stem (creeping or floating) plant.
Target 20–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.8, and 2–20 dGH. Flow tolerance: low to medium.
Difficulty: 1/5. Almost unkillable, a solid first-tank choice.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
