Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris)

Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Marsh Pennywort, is a creeping perennial herb with distinctive round, bright green, peltate leaves. It thrives in wet to submerged conditions, suita

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Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade

Watering

Constantly wet to submerged

Soil

Wet, boggy, loamy, or aquatic substrate

Temperature

Mild to warm

Habitat

Outdoor, Aquatic

Fertilizer

Low

Care Requirements

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Constantly wet to submerged

Soil

Wet, boggy, loamy, or aquatic substrate

Temperature

Mild to warm

10-25 °C

Habitat

Outdoor, Aquatic

Fertilizer

Low

Plant Overview

Plant Type

Herb, Aquatic

Plant Category

Ornamental, Foliage

Plant Place Type

Groundcover, Garden, Pot

Plant Environment

Outdoor, Aquatic

Lifespan

Perennials

Plant Height

5-20 cm

Spread

Indefinite

Growth Rate

Fast

Dormancy

Winter dormancy in cold climates

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Orbicular, peltate

Flower Size

1-2 mm

Optimal Sunlight Lux

30000

Weed Status

Yes

Image Gallery

Flowering & Fruiting Cycles

Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.

Northern hemisphere

Flowering & fruiting calendar

Peak bloom · JulPeak fruit · Aug

FloweringFruiting

Southern hemisphere

Flowering & fruiting calendar

Peak bloom · JanPeak fruit · Jan

FloweringFruiting

Synonyms

Hydrocotyle pleiantha Ces.

Hydrocotyle schkuhriana Rchb.

Taxonomy

kingdomPlantae
divisionTracheophyta
classMagnoliopsida
orderApiales
familyAraliaceae
genusHydrocotyle
speciesHydrocotyle vulgaris

Toxicity

Toxic for humans

Rating: 0/5

Toxic for pets

Rating: 0/5

Edible

Additional Care Tips

Marsh Pennywort thrives in consistently wet conditions, making it ideal for bog gardens, pond margins, or shallow water features where its roots can remain submerged. It cannot tolerate dry soil and will quickly decline if allowed to dry out. Ensure the substrate is always saturated or the plant is partially submerged in water.

Marsh Pennywort is easily propagated by division or stem cuttings. Simply snip off a section of stem with a few leaves and nodes, and place it in wet soil or water. Roots will readily form from the nodes. Division of established clumps can be done at almost any time during the growing season.

When grown in containers or pond baskets, repotting may be necessary every 1-2 years to refresh the substrate and manage its spread. Use a heavy, loamy soil or aquatic planting medium. Ensure the container has no drainage holes if it's meant for submerged or bog conditions to retain moisture effectively.

FAQs

How do I care for Marsh Pennywort in a pond?

Marsh Pennywort thrives in shallow water or boggy margins of ponds. Ensure its roots are consistently submerged or in saturated soil. It prefers full sun to partial shade and generally does not require fertilization in a nutrient-rich pond environment. Prune regularly to manage its vigorous spread.

Is Marsh Pennywort considered an invasive plant?

Yes, Marsh Pennywort can be considered invasive in some regions, particularly in slow-moving water bodies or bog gardens where it can spread rapidly and outcompete other plants. Regular pruning and containment are often necessary to manage its growth.

Can Marsh Pennywort be grown indoors?

While primarily an outdoor aquatic plant, Marsh Pennywort can be grown indoors in terrariums, paludariums, or containers with consistently wet soil, provided it receives adequate bright light and high humidity. Ensure the container has no drainage to maintain water levels.

What kind of light does Marsh Pennywort need?

Marsh Pennywort prefers full sun to partial shade. In full sun, its growth will be most vigorous, but it can tolerate some shade, especially in hotter climates, as long as it receives sufficient light throughout the day.

Is Marsh Pennywort safe for pets?

Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris) is generally considered non-toxic to pets. While it's not typically consumed as food, there are no widespread reports or authoritative sources indicating it poses a significant risk to animals if ingested.

Plant Overview

Plant Type

Herb, Aquatic

Plant Category

Ornamental, Foliage

Plant Place Type

Groundcover, Garden, Pot

Plant Environment

Outdoor, Aquatic

Lifespan

Perennials

Plant Height

5-20 cm

Spread

Indefinite

Growth Rate

Fast

Dormancy

Winter dormancy in cold climates

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Orbicular, peltate

Flower Size

1-2 mm

Optimal Sunlight Lux

30000

Weed Status

Yes

Additional Care Tips

FAQs

Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris)

Care Requirements

Plant Overview

Image Gallery

Flowering & Fruiting Cycles

Additional Care Tips

Water

Propagation

Repotting

FAQs

How do I care for Marsh Pennywort in a pond?

Is Marsh Pennywort considered an invasive plant?

Can Marsh Pennywort be grown indoors?

What kind of light does Marsh Pennywort need?

Is Marsh Pennywort safe for pets?

Loading plant details

Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris)

Care Requirements

Plant Overview

Image Gallery

Flowering & Fruiting Cycles

Additional Care Tips

Water

Propagation

Repotting

FAQs

How do I care for Marsh Pennywort in a pond?

Is Marsh Pennywort considered an invasive plant?

Can Marsh Pennywort be grown indoors?

What kind of light does Marsh Pennywort need?

Is Marsh Pennywort safe for pets?