Description
Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Japan’ is a cheerful, fast creeper with tiny clover-like leaves. Versatile enough to carpet the foreground, climb hardscape or trail – and forgiving for newer aquascapers.
What you get: one rooted clump about the size in the photo, with a few runners and roughly 30–50 small leaves.
Care at a glance
- Light: medium to high
- CO₂: helps form a tight carpet
- Temperature: 20–28°C
- Placement: plant small clumps across the foreground
- Spreads sideways via runners
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Hydrocotyle Tripartita ‘Japan’ carpet without CO₂?
Only loosely. It grows well without CO₂, but in moderate light it grows taller and looser, more a low bush than a flat carpet. Brighter light and CO₂ keep it short and dense for a tight carpet.
How do I plant it?
Separate into small clumps and plant them a few centimetres apart in the foreground; they spread to join up.
How long until it fills in?
Usually a few weeks to a couple of months depending on light, CO₂ and fertilisation.
Is Hydrocotyle ‘Japan’ easy to grow?
Yes, it is easy to medium. It grows in medium light without CO₂ at 20–28°C and forgives most beginner mistakes. The real work is keeping up with it: it grows fast, so dose liquid fertiliser weekly and trim every 2–3 weeks. Left untrimmed, it climbs over slower plants such as Anubias and Bucephalandra. It is safe with shrimp and small fish.
What is the difference between Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Japan’ and ‘Mini’?
The main difference is leaf size and height. ‘Mini’ has noticeably smaller leaves and a lower, more compact habit, so it forms a finer, flatter carpet. ‘Japan’, the form we sell, has leaves of about 1 cm and grows taller and looser, so it also works as a bushy midground or a cloud over rocks. Both need the same care.
What are the common problems with Hydrocotyle?
The most common problems are leggy stems with gaps (too little light), yellowing or holes in leaves (not enough nutrients) and some melting after planting, as leaves grown out of water adjust to being submerged; new leaves appear in 1–2 weeks. Old, dense carpets can also lift, so trim hard and replant the tops. Our Hydrocotyle Tripartita care guide covers each fix.
How do I propagate Hydrocotyle tripartita?
It spreads on its own by runners, so propagation is mostly replanting trimmings. Cut a runner or stem piece with 3–4 nodes, push the lower end into the substrate with tweezers, or tuck it between rocks. New roots grow from the nodes and it starts spreading again. You can also pull an established clump apart into small portions and replant them.
When will my pre-order ship?
About 15 days after you order. It is then hand-packed and sent by courier anywhere in India for a flat ₹99, free on orders of ₹999 or more. If it arrives dead, send one continuous unboxing video within 4 hours of delivery on WhatsApp or email and we refund or replace it.
Learn more in our Hydrocotyle Tripartita care guide.
Compare light, CO2, growth rate and difficulty for every plant we stock in the aquarium plant care chart.
Why buy from Anubias.in: imported to order (about 15 days on pre-order); ₹99 shipping anywhere in India, free on orders of ₹999 or more; prepaid via UPI, cards or netbanking. Any claim (dead, damaged, wrong plant) needs one continuous unboxing video sent within 4 hours of delivery on WhatsApp (+91 81416 96983) or email (buyanubias@gmail.com); photos alone are not accepted. More about buying from Anubias.in.
