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Hydrocotyle tripartita

Three-lobed creeping pennywort forming a dense foreground carpet with CO2

Regular price
£7.99
Regular price
Sale price
£7.99
    Quick Facts

    Common name: Japanese Pennywort

    Origin: Asia

    Position in Aquarium: Foreground

    Grows up to (cm): 25 cm

    Pot Size: 5 cm

    Growth rate: Medium pace

    Description

    Hydrocotyle tripartita is a creeping pennywort from Asia with small, three-lobed leaves that spread horizontally along the substrate, creating a dense, low-growing carpet or mid-level mat depending on light and CO2 availability. Under strong light and CO2 injection it stays compact and carpet-like; under lower light it grows upward and can be used as a midground plant.

    It benefits from CO2 supplementation and medium-to-bright light for the best compact carpeting growth. Without CO2 it is still manageable but tends to grow more loosely and vertically. A nutrient-rich substrate supports the dense root system that develops as the plant spreads.

    Supplied as an established potted plant, Hydrocotyle tripartita suits aquariums from 40 litres upward. Planted in the foreground of a CO2-injected aquarium, it creates a characterful, textured carpet that is popular in nature aquarium and aquascaping layouts for its unusual leaf shape and creeping growth habit.

    Plant Sizes

    You’ll receive a healthy, rooted plant in a pot, similar to those shown. Each one is hand-checked before dispatch.

    Shipping

    Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tracked 24 Service from £4.99, DPD Express from £6.99.

    Hydrocotyle tripartita Aquafleur
    Hydrocotyle tripartita Aquafleur
    Hydrocotyle tripartita Aquafleur
    Hydrocotyle tripartita Aquafleur
    Hydrocotyle tripartita Aquafleur
    Hydrocotyle tripartita

    Customers praised this aquatic plant as "lovely" and "beautiful," noting it arrives in excellent condition and grows quickly. Many reported it thrives with CO2 and fertilizers, creating a delicate, bushy appearance. Some concerns: fish may uproot or eat it, and a few experienced deterioration or inconsistent growth thickness.

    • It's so delicate looking but very tough. It grows easily and quickly
    • Arrived in excellent condition, looks great in my tank and growing real fast
    • My plants arrived carefully wrapped and very healthy. This lovely low growing plant is growing well
    • 5 stars: 29 (76%)
    • 4 stars: 5 (13%)
    • 3 stars: 3 (8%)
    • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
    • 1 star: 1 (3%)
    G
    Greg

    Good service

    K
    Karolyne O.O. (Leeds, GB)

    Another lovely plant as usual.

    R
    Ryan S.
    Review

    Arrived in great condition and is growing well already.

    J
    Jason M.
    Review

    All good

    E
    Ernest S.
    Review

    I love Hydrocotyle plants, they look gorgeous. This one is certainly unique, a bit more "thinner" and darker-coloured than my personal favourite which I would recommend instead; hydrocotyle leucocephala. Other than that, it grows great

    P
    Peter C.
    Review

    Very disappointed, fell to pieces in days.

    D
    Deborah H.
    Review

    My plants arrived carefully wrapped and very healthy. This lovely low growing plant is growing well and a lovely green. I definitely recommend this company and plant.

    N
    Noel H.
    Review

    This is a lovely plant, that arrived well packaged and in great condition. It settled in week to my aquarium however, the fancy goldfish in the tank keep pulling it out of the substrate and I find I have to continuously re plant it.

    S
    Suzanne C.
    Review

    Beautiful. Thank you

    A
    Anthony L.
    Review

    Not sure if it has died or been eaten by the fish. Possibly in need of some fertiliser?

    H
    Helen H.
    Review

    A lovely plant that I split into smaller plants. A lot has just disappeared but some is still looking healthy and will in time grow well.

    C
    Chris W.
    Review

    Not growing as thick as was led to believe (not by Richard) changed it's location and it's looking okay

    S
    Steven G.
    Review

    Arrived in excellent condition, very happy with product, looks great in my tank and growing real fast with liquid co2 and ferts.

    C
    Ciara B.
    Review

    Arrived in great condition

    D
    Dave S.
    Review

    These plants arrived promptly and in excellent condition and are now thriving in my tank.
    First class service
    First class plants.
    Thanks Richard

    L
    Lynne B.
    Review

    I love this plant - it’s so delicate looking but very tough. It grows easily and quickly - I bought two plants which were on offer andim delighted with the quality!
    I would recommend buying it.

    J
    James B.
    Review

    Excellent plants in superb condition, very good value for money, Iv been looking for a quality supply of plants or a while, if there's one point, the photographs on the website do not do the actual plant justice.

    l
    leraine S.
    Review

    Such a pretty simple plant. Sits beautifully at the front of my tank and is standing up well to some very excitable fish. All plants from this supplier arrive in excellent condition.

    J
    John W.
    Review

    Can’t fault delivery and healthy vibrant plants

    B
    Balliram R.
    Review

    Great plant and arrived in mint condition

    S
    Stephen W.
    Review

    Great quality plant from Aqua essentials. This is a beautiful plant until the fish eat it ????

    A
    Anthony C.
    Review

    Growing well.

    D
    Derek S.
    Review

    I ordered two plants. One came as a small mound and the other had long extended growth. Looked fragile, so decided not to separate into individual pieces and planted them as they were. Hoping to be able to push the new growth back into the substrate once settled in.

    a
    alan p.
    Review

    i visited the premises and was helped by very friendly staff ,
    all the plants were healthy just as my seletion are now in my tank

    J
    John D.
    Review

    date added

    J
    John D.
    Review

    Aquarium plants come very quick very well packed and very fresh would not bye from eney where else

    J
    Julie A.
    Review

    Lovely plant, looks stunning again well packaged very pleased with Aqua essentials.

    C
    Caroline F.
    Review

    Great plant for filling out spaces or the mid ground. Delicate little leaves, but loads of them becoming quite bushy plant.

    J
    Julie C.
    Review

    Amazing surface and delivery. Highly recommended and would certainly use again.

    R
    Richard D.
    Review

    Super quality plants as normal, look excellent in the foreground amongst rocks and against a black substrate. Taken very well, but wouldn't expect anything less from AE products as required conditions always accurately described, making choosing suitable plants a lot easier.

    E
    Edin B.
    Review

    great condition, plant is beautiful

    J
    James M.
    Review

    my plant arrived well packed and in good condition very pleased a good sized plant

    J
    James M.
    Review

    my plant arrived well packed and in good condition very pleased

    J
    Joseph T.
    Review

    A Massive plant from one small pot, growing and pearling straight away, beautiful.

    Product FAQs

    Helpful details before you buy.

    Does Hydrocotyle tripartita need CO2 to carpet?

    CO2 significantly helps it grow compact and low. Without CO2 it tends to grow upward rather than spreading horizontally, losing the carpeting effect.

    What light level does it need?

    Medium to bright light gives the best compact carpeting growth. Low light causes the stems to become leggy and grow toward the surface.

    How do I plant it?

    Remove from the pot, divide into small sections, and plant across the foreground with spacing between each clump. With CO2 and good light it will fill in relatively quickly.

    Can it be used as a midground plant without CO2?

    Yes. Without CO2 it grows more upright and can be used as a textured midground plant rather than a foreground carpet.

    How fast does it grow?

    Under good light and CO2 it is a moderately fast grower. Regular trimming keeps it compact and encourages denser lateral spread.

    Skip to product information
    1 of 7
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    Hydrocotyle tripartita

    Three-lobed creeping pennywort forming a dense foreground carpet with CO2

    Ask a question
    Average care Medium light CO2 recommended Foreground plant
    Regular price
    £7.99
    Regular price
    Sale price
    £7.99
    • In stock

    In-stock orders normally dispatch before 4pm, Monday–Friday. Delivery details

    Hydrocotyle tripartita Aquafleur
    Hydrocotyle tripartita Aquafleur
    Hydrocotyle tripartita Aquafleur
    Hydrocotyle tripartita Aquafleur
    Hydrocotyle tripartita Aquafleur
    Hydrocotyle tripartita

    Complete your setup

    Useful additions for your aquarium

    Care essentials chosen for this plant

    Healthier plants
    Brighter results
    Plant food Neutro+ Aquarium Plant Fertiliser - All-in-One Liquid Fertiliser

    Essential nutrients for healthier,
    more vibrant plants.

    Recommended size
    £10.99
    Liquid carbon Neutro CO₂ - Liquid Carbon for planted aquariums

    Helps boost plant growth
    and colouration.

    Recommended size
    £10.99
    Root nutrition Neutro TerraTabs - Root Tabs for Planted Aquariums

    Long-lasting nutrition
    for strong, healthy roots.

    Recommended size
    £9.99
    Useful additions for planting day Carefully packed with your plants Specialist aquarium plant care
    Bundle offers

    About this plant

    Hydrocotyle tripartita is a creeping pennywort from Asia with small, three-lobed leaves that spread horizontally along the substrate, creating a dense, low-growing carpet or mid-level mat depending on light and CO2 availability. Under strong light and CO2 injection it stays compact and carpet-like; under lower light it grows upward and can be used as a midground plant.

    It benefits from CO2 supplementation and medium-to-bright light for the best compact carpeting growth. Without CO2 it is still manageable but tends to grow more loosely and vertically. A nutrient-rich substrate supports the dense root system that develops as the plant spreads.

    Supplied as an established potted plant, Hydrocotyle tripartita suits aquariums from 40 litres upward. Planted in the foreground of a CO2-injected aquarium, it creates a characterful, textured carpet that is popular in nature aquarium and aquascaping layouts for its unusual leaf shape and creeping growth habit.

    Preparing a potted plant

    Gently remove the pot and growing wool, then follow the planting advice for this species.

    Potted plant care guide
    Delivery & live plant guarantee

    Orders placed before 4pm Monday–Friday normally dispatch the same working day. Special-order items leave once all items are available.

    Delivery options and charges · Returns and guarantees · Help with plants that arrived damaged

    Customers praised this aquatic plant as "lovely" and "beautiful," noting it arrives in excellent condition and grows quickly. Many reported it thrives with CO2 and fertilizers, creating a delicate, bushy appearance. Some concerns: fish may uproot or eat it, and a few experienced deterioration or inconsistent growth thickness.

    • It's so delicate looking but very tough. It grows easily and quickly
    • Arrived in excellent condition, looks great in my tank and growing real fast
    • My plants arrived carefully wrapped and very healthy. This lovely low growing plant is growing well
    • 5 stars: 29 (76%)
    • 4 stars: 5 (13%)
    • 3 stars: 3 (8%)
    • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
    • 1 star: 1 (3%)
    G
    Greg

    Good service

    K
    Karolyne O.O. (Leeds, GB)

    Another lovely plant as usual.

    R
    Ryan S.
    Review

    Arrived in great condition and is growing well already.

    J
    Jason M.
    Review

    All good

    E
    Ernest S.
    Review

    I love Hydrocotyle plants, they look gorgeous. This one is certainly unique, a bit more "thinner" and darker-coloured than my personal favourite which I would recommend instead; hydrocotyle leucocephala. Other than that, it grows great

    P
    Peter C.
    Review

    Very disappointed, fell to pieces in days.

    D
    Deborah H.
    Review

    My plants arrived carefully wrapped and very healthy. This lovely low growing plant is growing well and a lovely green. I definitely recommend this company and plant.

    N
    Noel H.
    Review

    This is a lovely plant, that arrived well packaged and in great condition. It settled in week to my aquarium however, the fancy goldfish in the tank keep pulling it out of the substrate and I find I have to continuously re plant it.

    S
    Suzanne C.
    Review

    Beautiful. Thank you

    A
    Anthony L.
    Review

    Not sure if it has died or been eaten by the fish. Possibly in need of some fertiliser?

    H
    Helen H.
    Review

    A lovely plant that I split into smaller plants. A lot has just disappeared but some is still looking healthy and will in time grow well.

    C
    Chris W.
    Review

    Not growing as thick as was led to believe (not by Richard) changed it's location and it's looking okay

    S
    Steven G.
    Review

    Arrived in excellent condition, very happy with product, looks great in my tank and growing real fast with liquid co2 and ferts.

    C
    Ciara B.
    Review

    Arrived in great condition

    D
    Dave S.
    Review

    These plants arrived promptly and in excellent condition and are now thriving in my tank.
    First class service
    First class plants.
    Thanks Richard

    L
    Lynne B.
    Review

    I love this plant - it’s so delicate looking but very tough. It grows easily and quickly - I bought two plants which were on offer andim delighted with the quality!
    I would recommend buying it.

    J
    James B.
    Review

    Excellent plants in superb condition, very good value for money, Iv been looking for a quality supply of plants or a while, if there's one point, the photographs on the website do not do the actual plant justice.

    l
    leraine S.
    Review

    Such a pretty simple plant. Sits beautifully at the front of my tank and is standing up well to some very excitable fish. All plants from this supplier arrive in excellent condition.

    J
    John W.
    Review

    Can’t fault delivery and healthy vibrant plants

    B
    Balliram R.
    Review

    Great plant and arrived in mint condition

    S
    Stephen W.
    Review

    Great quality plant from Aqua essentials. This is a beautiful plant until the fish eat it ????

    A
    Anthony C.
    Review

    Growing well.

    D
    Derek S.
    Review

    I ordered two plants. One came as a small mound and the other had long extended growth. Looked fragile, so decided not to separate into individual pieces and planted them as they were. Hoping to be able to push the new growth back into the substrate once settled in.

    a
    alan p.
    Review

    i visited the premises and was helped by very friendly staff ,
    all the plants were healthy just as my seletion are now in my tank

    J
    John D.
    Review

    date added

    J
    John D.
    Review

    Aquarium plants come very quick very well packed and very fresh would not bye from eney where else

    J
    Julie A.
    Review

    Lovely plant, looks stunning again well packaged very pleased with Aqua essentials.

    C
    Caroline F.
    Review

    Great plant for filling out spaces or the mid ground. Delicate little leaves, but loads of them becoming quite bushy plant.

    J
    Julie C.
    Review

    Amazing surface and delivery. Highly recommended and would certainly use again.

    R
    Richard D.
    Review

    Super quality plants as normal, look excellent in the foreground amongst rocks and against a black substrate. Taken very well, but wouldn't expect anything less from AE products as required conditions always accurately described, making choosing suitable plants a lot easier.

    E
    Edin B.
    Review

    great condition, plant is beautiful

    J
    James M.
    Review

    my plant arrived well packed and in good condition very pleased a good sized plant

    J
    James M.
    Review

    my plant arrived well packed and in good condition very pleased

    J
    Joseph T.
    Review

    A Massive plant from one small pot, growing and pearling straight away, beautiful.

    Product FAQs

    Does Hydrocotyle tripartita need CO2 to carpet?

    CO2 significantly helps it grow compact and low. Without CO2 it tends to grow upward rather than spreading horizontally, losing the carpeting effect.

    What light level does it need?

    Medium to bright light gives the best compact carpeting growth. Low light causes the stems to become leggy and grow toward the surface.

    How do I plant it?

    Remove from the pot, divide into small sections, and plant across the foreground with spacing between each clump. With CO2 and good light it will fill in relatively quickly.

    Can it be used as a midground plant without CO2?

    Yes. Without CO2 it grows more upright and can be used as a textured midground plant rather than a foreground carpet.

    How fast does it grow?

    Under good light and CO2 it is a moderately fast grower. Regular trimming keeps it compact and encourages denser lateral spread.