Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan'
The current darling of the SA aquascaping scene, tiny three-lobed clover-like leaves on thread-thin creeping stems. Carpets faster than Monte Carlo with the right light + CO₂; trim aggressively or it builds up vertically into a mat. Will grow without CO₂ at the cost of speed and density. Roots loosely; trim into shape rather than uprooting.
Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan' (Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan') is a carpet / stem (creeping) aquatic plant for the foreground to midground of a planted tank. It reaches 3–10 cm under good conditions and grows at a fast rate. Light: medium to high. CO₂: recommended. Target 20–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–15 dGH. Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate. Propagate via cuttings / runners spread horizontally.
Care at a glance
The current darling of the SA aquascaping scene, tiny three-lobed clover-like leaves on thread-thin creeping stems. Carpets faster than Monte Carlo with the right light + CO₂; trim aggressively or it builds up vertically into a mat. Will grow without CO₂ at the cost of speed and density. Roots loosely; trim into shape rather than uprooting.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether hydrocotyle tripartita 'japan' fits in your tank.
Araliaceae
Carpet / Stem (creeping)
Foreground to Midground
Nutrient-rich substrate
Cuttings / runners spread horizontally
Cultivar of pennywort, wild kin on damp South-East Asian stream edges
Selectively bred cultivar (originated in Japan)
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: recommended. Light requirement: medium to high. Under low-tech conditions the plant grows at a fast rate.
Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan' (Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan') needs medium to high light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: foreground to midground. Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate It typically reaches 3–10 cm.
Propagation method: Cuttings / runners spread horizontally. Hydrocotyle Tripartita 'Japan' is a carpet / stem (creeping) plant.
Target 20–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, and 2–15 dGH. Flow tolerance: low to medium.
Difficulty: 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
