Epic Aquatics Hydrocotyle tripartita

Hydrocotyle tripartita – Referred to in the hobby as Hydroctyle sp Japan, its true name is Hydrocotyle tripartita and it originates from South East Asia. The leaves are small and presents a brilliant green colour in your aquarium. It’s best to plant  as a carpeting plant as it hugs the foreground and sends out runners on a daily basis. If the light is dim, you may find it stretches up the tank. Good light is needed for the plant to form a lovely carpet along the substrate. Once you’ve taken hydrocotyle tripartita from the pot, you’ll be able to split the plant into several portions and plant into the substrate with tweezers.

Hydrocotyle tripartita was made famous from frequent usage by famous aquascapers such as Takashi Amano.  It is characterized by its clover-like leaves which can grow into compact bushes of green.  This plant is versatile and can be used in the foreground, midground or background.  It is undemanding and grows fast, often out-competing and overgrowing the tank if left untrimmed.  By frequently trimming new growth and using high light with CO2, the plant can stay low growing and create a carpeting effect over the foreground.

Propagate by trimming stems and replanting on pulling apart dense clumps and splitting the roots. New shoots can be trimmed anywhere along the stem which allows the plant to grow thicker and more compact.

Just like fish, living plants do best when they are kept in an aquarium that best suits their needs. Selecting live plants that share common water conditions will minimize problems and make it easier for you to maintain and keep your aquarium in tip top shape.