Brazilian Pennywort – Hydrocotyle leucocephala

Brazilian Pennywort (Hydrocotyle leucocephala) is light green in color with round leaves that alternate down the length of the stem. This plant may be rooted or left to float at the surface. As the stems reach the surface, they may grow out of the water and produce small whitish flowers or spread along the surface of the water. It can tolerate a wide range of water conditions but will grow best and fastest under high light and in harder water.

Bunched plants are typically sold as cuttings that are bound together with a metal plant weight or rubber bands. These individual stalks can be planted by inserting the end of the stalk into the substrate, either individually or – with some plants – in groupings of several stalks. Most bunch plants do not have roots but may grow roots in time. They can be easily pruned by trimming the stalk at the desired height. The trimmings can then be planted as well if desired. Some bunched plants do not need to be planted and may be allowed to float on the water’s surface.