This fast-growing potted Variegated Pennywort adds bold, marbled foliage to aquariums or terrariums. Rooted, established, and easy to care for.
$8.99
In stock
🌿 Introduction
Variegated Pennywort is a striking aquarium plant known for its round, coin-shaped leaves splashed with creamy white patterns. Native to South America, this cultivar brings light and texture into aquascapes, making it stand out in both traditional and nature-style tanks. Its trailing stems and unique variegation provide a soft yet eye-catching contrast to green foregrounds and midgrounds.
🌱 Plant Profile
Type: Stem plant
Origin: South America (Brazil and surrounding regions)
Position: Midground to background
Growth Rate: Medium to fast
Lighting: Medium to high (higher light helps maintain variegation)
CO₂: Recommended but not required
Height / Spread: 4–16″ (10–40 cm) depending on trimming
Water Parameters: pH 6.0–7.5 · GH 3–12 · KH 2–8
✅ Care Summary
Plant directly from the pot into the substrate, or separate stems and space a few inches apart for faster coverage.
Regular trimming encourages bushier side shoots and helps prevent lower leaves from shading out.
Hardy and adaptable, though variegation fades in very low light. Watch for algae on older leaves.
Excellent for creating natural cover for shrimp and small fish; trailing stems can also be trained around hardscape.
Terrarium/Paludarium: Thrives emersed in high humidity and can creep along the edges of paludariums.
🌿 Q&A
Q: Will the variegation stay strong in low light?
A: No—low light often causes the plant to revert to greener leaves. Medium to high light maintains the white marbling.
Q: How should I trim Pennywort for best results?
A: Use sharp scissors to cut stems just above a leaf node. Replant the tops if you want denser growth.
Q: Is this plant beginner-friendly?
A: Yes. While CO₂ and good light improve growth, it adapts well without them, making it suitable for a wide range of aquarists.
🌍 More About Variegated Pennywort
Hydrocotyle leucocephala, commonly called Brazilian Pennywort, is found in slow-moving rivers, marshes, and pond edges across South America. The variegated form is a cultivated variant prized in the aquarium trade for its decorative leaf patterning. In the wild, Pennywort creeps along banks and floats near the surface, providing shelter for fish fry and aquatic insects. In aquariums, it behaves similarly—stretching toward the light, with stems that can either float at the surface or anchor in the substrate. Its natural growth habit makes it a versatile plant, equally at home cascading across hardscape or filling in gaps between larger stem groups.
