TankBud

Form of Hydrocotyle Japan

Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini

Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Mini'

One of 2 forms of Hydrocotyle tripartita · See all forms →

Also known as Hydrocotyle Japan Mini, Japanese pennywort Mini, Tripartita mini

FreshwaterCarpetingRunnersCuttings

Forms · Hydrocotyle tripartita

See all 2 →

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
64–82°F
18–28°C
Max height
3.9 in
10 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Foreground
Type
Carpeting
pH
5.0–7.5
Hardness
1–10 dGH
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root + water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Araliaceae
Origin
Trade form of uncertain origin (ADA says Australian swamps)

Overview

Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini makes a low, fast-growing carpet for the foreground, and ADA recommends it for nano tanks. It is an easy plant.

Did you know

Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini grows smaller leaves after a few trims, according to ADA.

Caring for Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini

Rinse the gel from tissue-culture cups and split the plant into small clusters. Push each cluster into the foreground with fine tweezers, leaving gaps for it to fill. A dry start helps the plantlets root before you flood the tank.

Give it medium to high light. It grows without injected CO2, only slowly, and Buce Plant says CO2 is needed for a tight carpet. It takes nutrients through its roots and leaves, so use root tabs near the roots along with a liquid fertilizer. Keep the water at 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C).

Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini grows fast, so trim it often and press the runners down. In dim light the runners tend to grow upward and turn leggy. New plants form along the runners, and fresh cuttings need pinning down until they root.

Good to know

Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini is a small-leaved form of Hydrocotyle Japan in the ivy family, Araliaceae. ADA puts its clover-shaped leaves at about half the size of the standard plant's. Glass Aqua says the Mini is often sold as Hydrocotyle 'Japan', so compare the photos before you buy. Flowgrow files the standard trade plant as Hydrocotyle cf. tripartita, since confirming the species takes flowers and fruit. The plant sold as Hydrocotyle mini is a different species, H. sibthorpioides, with rounder, shallowly lobed leaves.

In the wild

Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini is sold by ADA as a foreground plant from Australian swamps. Flowgrow and Aquasabi also trace the standard trade plant, Hydrocotyle Japan, to Australia. The standard plant reached European shops around 2008 to 2010, by way of Thailand and Japan. The Mini circulates as tissue culture from ADA, UNS, Aquatic Farmer and Sreepadma.

Common questions

Is Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini a different species from Hydrocotyle Japan?

No. Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini is a form of Hydrocotyle Japan, Hydrocotyle tripartita. It reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm), against 2 in (5 cm) for the species.

Does Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Split it into small clumps and push each one into the substrate with tweezers, leaving gaps for it to fill.

Does Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini need CO2?

No, but it helps. Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini need?

Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini need root tabs?

They help. Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini?

Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini propagates by runners and cuttings. New plants grow along its runners. Cut one free once it has roots and plant it. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots.

How tall does Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini grow?

Hydrocotyle tripartita Mini grows to about 3.9 in (10 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

Related plants