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Form of Hydrocotyle Japan

Hydrocotyle Variegated

Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Variegated'

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

Also known as Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Mini Variegated', Hydrocotyle Mini Variegated, Hydrocotyle tripartita Variegated

FreshwaterCarpetingRunnersCuttings

Forms · Hydrocotyle tripartita

See all 2 →
  • VariegatedThis page
  • Mini

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
64–82°F
18–28°C
Max height
2 in
5 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
Medium
Family
Araliaceae
Origin
Cultivated selection (Sreepadma farm, India; parent species probably from Australia)

Overview

Hydrocotyle Variegated turns the easy Japan clover into a plant of medium difficulty. It is a low, fast-growing carpet plant for the foreground.

Did you know

The white patches on Hydrocotyle Variegated are tissue with almost no chlorophyll. Every pale leaf is one the plant partly carries as a passenger.

Caring for Hydrocotyle Variegated

Split Hydrocotyle Variegated into small clumps and push each one into the substrate with tweezers, leaving gaps for it to fill. Use it as an accent or let it carpet, and pin the runners down until they root. Keep the water at 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C).

Give it strong, high light, since its white leaf tissue does little photosynthesis. It grows without injected CO2, but CO2 and regular fertilizer are strongly advised to keep the runners creeping instead of stalling. In a dim low-tech tank it dwindles. It feeds through its roots and leaves, so pair root tabs with a liquid fertilizer.

It grows fast, so expect regular trimming. Trim by cutting runners and replanting the plantlets. Remove any all-green reverted shoots, or the faster plain growth takes over the patch.

Good to know

Hydrocotyle Variegated is a selection of Hydrocotyle tripartita in the family Araliaceae, sold as 'Variegated' and 'Mini Variegated'. Its clover-like, three-lobed leaves carry splashes of white and cream where the ordinary plant is uniform bright green. It runs smaller and more compact than the standard Japan form.

In the wild

Hydrocotyle Variegated is a cultivated selection that does not occur in the wild. Its parent, Hydrocotyle tripartita, is a creeping marsh pennywort, probably from Australia. The parent runs across wet ground and shallow margins emersed, and it adapts readily to submersed growth. The variegated form was introduced from the Sreepadma farm in India and circulates mainly as tissue culture.

Common questions

Is Hydrocotyle Variegated a different species from Hydrocotyle Japan?

No. Hydrocotyle Variegated is a form of Hydrocotyle Japan, Hydrocotyle tripartita. It wants high light, where the species wants medium. It also differs in difficulty and growth rate.

Does Hydrocotyle Variegated 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 Variegated need CO2?

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

How much light does Hydrocotyle Variegated need?

Hydrocotyle Variegated needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED. In weaker light it grows upward instead of spreading across the substrate.

Does Hydrocotyle Variegated need root tabs?

They help. Hydrocotyle Variegated 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 Variegated?

Hydrocotyle Variegated 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 Variegated grow?

Hydrocotyle Variegated grows to about 2 in (5 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.

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