Brazilian pennywort
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
PlantsFreshwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Maximum size
- 50 cm
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C
- pH
- 6–7.8
- Light
- Medium
- Diet
- Photosynthetic
Care at a glance
Brazilian pennywort is a fast-growing stem plant with round, light green leaves that look like coins. It grows just as easily planted as floating and climbs to the surface of an established tank within a few weeks, where it carries on growing across the water.
It is one of the best plants for soaking up nitrate and suppressing algae, precisely because it grows so fast. Give medium light and trim it back regularly, otherwise it shades everything underneath. Floating, it also makes a fine refuge for fry and shrimp.
Related species
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.