A real stunner that brings to mind a four-leaf clover plant!
Hydrocotyle tripartita (sometimes called 'Japan Clover') needs higher lights than most green-only plants. Otherwise, you can expect similar fertilization and heating needs as other easy plants would have.
Stays low and propagates itself through lateral nodes. Excellent for bottom dwelling creatures such as dwarf shrimp and tiny catfish!
Looking for a bare root version you can create flexible aquascapes with?
This potted plant is larger and more established! Averages 4" in length
Grown EMERGENT
Cassandra’s Notes:
We get a lot of questions about separating these sort of plants from the potted rockwool it's in.
Yes, you can absolutely leave the rockwool in your tank!
It’s pretty inert, and will not harm your tank nor its inhabitants. If you want to keep it potted, you totally can!
That said, if the rockwool is really not doing it for you, but you’re worried about disturbing too much of the delicate root system these creepers have built, try this:
Use some scissors to snip apart the top of the rockwool where the plant has rooted from the bottom. Snip into a flat circle, resembling a ‘mat’ of sorts. Now you can place that little mat in the gravel or other substrate, without having torn up too much of the root system!
As I like to keep real ecosystems in my aquariums, there's always the possibility of harmless snail or dwarf shrimp hitchhikers!
Growing Suggestions:
- Higher light needs
- Unheated aquarium, 60-80F
- Medium low/ creeping growth rate
- Root tabs recommended: Yes
- Excellent forage and shelter for shrimp!