Plant Profile
Hydrocotyle Japan (Hydrocotyle Tripartita) brings a unique, whimsical texture to your tank with its distinct, clover-like leaves. Made famous by legendary aquascapers like Takashi Amano, this fast-growing favorite is incredibly versatile and can be used in the foreground, midground, or background depending on your vision. Left to its own devices, it will happily grow into wild, compact bushes of vibrant green. It is an exceptionally undemanding and energetic grower, meaning it will gladly take over the entire tank if you don't keep its enthusiastic growth in check!
Key Features & Benefits
- Clover-like green foliage that adds a playful, natural texture.
- Fill in your aquascape rapidly thanks to its fast growth rate, making it an excellent option for quickly blanketing bare spots.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Maintain high lighting and inject pressurized CO2 while frequently trimming new growth to force the plant to stay low and create a tight carpeting effect over your foreground.
- Keep a pair of trimming scissors handy, as it grows quickly and requires regular pruning to prevent it from out-competing and overgrowing your other tank inhabitants.
- Propagate whenever you want by simply cutting the stems anywhere along the shoot and replanting them, or by pulling apart dense clumps and splitting the roots.
- Maintain stable aquarium parameters and avoid any sudden, drastic shifts in water quality to prevent your new grass from melting.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute |
Specification |
| Scientific Name |
Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan' |
| Common Name(s) |
Hydrocotyle Japan, Hydrocotyle Tripartita |
| Family |
Apiaceae |
| Plant Type / Taxonomy |
Stem / Carpeting Foreground to Midground |
| Care Difficulty |
Easy to Medium |
| Light Requirement |
Medium |
| CO2 Requirement |
Recommended (Required for low carpeting effect) |
| Placement / Usage |
Foreground, Midground, or Background |
| Height / Size |
1-4 inches (Kept low with trimming) |
| Growth Rate |
Fast |
| Water Parameters |
pH 6.5 – 7.5 | Temperature 68°F – 82°F (20°C – 28°C) |
| Propagation Method |
Cut stem runners and replant |
| Origin |
Asia / South East Asia |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I plant Hydrocotyle Tripartita?
Use fine-tipped pinsettes to plant each portion 1–2 inches apart in nutrient-dense aquasoil so the runners can spread freely
2. How do I keep Hydrocotyle Tripartita growing as a low carpet instead of a bush?
Hydrocotyle Japan naturally reaches upward if light levels are low. To force it to stay low and creep horizontally along the substrate, provide medium-to-high lighting, inject pressurized CO2, and routinely trim vertical shoots down close to the soil.
3. Can Hydrocotyle Tripartita grow attached to hardscape like rocks or driftwood?
Yes! While typically grown in substrate, Hydrocotyle Japan is extremely versatile and can be tucked into hardscape crevices or attached to driftwood with aquarium glue, where its cascading clover-like runners create a beautiful hanging effect.
