Hydrocotyle sp. 'Japan'

Hydrocotyle sp. 'Japan' is a tissue culture pennywort variant popularised in Japanese aquascaping circles for its compact, low-growing stems and distinctively small, slightly crinkled and lobed leaves that create a more complex foreground texture than the rounder leaves of H. tripartita. The tissue culture form is snail and algae free, making for a clean establishment in any layout. Under high light and CO2 it forms a dense, layered foreground accent; under lower light it grows somewhat more upright but remains bushy and attractive. It spreads via branching rather than runners, so dense planting of multiple plugs from the outset gives faster ground coverage. Excellent for Wabi-Kusa, Iwagumi, and Nature Aquarium styles.

Light: Medium–high CO2: Beneficial Fertilisation: Regular macro and micro liquid dosing Placement: Foreground accent or carpet Propagation: Stem branching; divide plug and plant sections close together