Hydrocotyle verticillata (ADA Tissue Culture)

Hydrocotyle verticillata, also known as “Whorled Pennywort,” is a fascinating aquatic plant characterized by its unique umbrella-shaped leaves, which add a whimsical and natural appearance to any aquascape. With its low-growing, spreading habit, Hydrocotyle verticillata is often used as a foreground or midground plant. Its unique growth pattern makes it perfect for creating a dynamic, meadow-like effect in aquariums, paludariums, or terrariums.

This Hydrocotyle verticillata is provided in an ADA Tissue Culture format, ensuring a pest-free and healthy start for your aquascape. Tissue culture plants are grown under sterile laboratory conditions, free from pests, algae, and disease, making them ideal for aquascapers seeking to maintain a clean and thriving aquatic environment.

Care Guide

Tank Requirements

• Lighting: Hydrocotyle verticillata prefers moderate to high lighting. Intense lighting will promote compact growth and help maintain its characteristic low-profile, creeping habit. Lower lighting will cause the plant to grow taller and become leggier.
• Substrate: This plant thrives in nutrient-rich substrates like aqua soil, which helps develop a strong root system and supports its growth. However, it can also grow in other substrates such as sand or gravel with proper fertilization.
• CO2 Injection: While not absolutely necessary, CO2 supplementation will significantly improve the plant’s growth rate and help maintain its compact, creeping form. In CO2-injected tanks, Hydrocotyle verticillata will spread more rapidly and stay lower to the substrate.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 68-82°F (20-28°C)
  • pH: 6.0-7.5
  • Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (2-12 dGH)

Planting and Preparation (ADA Tissue Culture)

1. Opening the Tissue Culture Container: Carefully open the ADA Tissue Culture container. The Hydrocotyle verticillata will be contained in a nutrient-rich gel designed to sustain the plant in transit.
2. Rinsing the Plant: Gently remove the plant mass from the container and rinse it thoroughly under lukewarm water. Be sure to remove all of the nutrient gel, as leftover gel can negatively affect the water quality and promote unwanted algae growth in your aquarium.
3. Dividing the Plant: After rinsing, gently divide the plant mass into smaller clumps or individual plantlets. This helps in evenly spreading the plant across the foreground or midground of the aquarium and encourages quicker establishment.
4. Planting: Use aquascaping tweezers to plant the individual plantlets into the substrate, spacing them out about 1 inch apart for an even carpet effect. Ensure that the roots are well-buried in the substrate while the leaves remain above the surface. In a paludarium or terrarium setup, it can also be grown as a terrestrial plant.
5. Initial Care: After planting, start with a shorter photoperiod (6-8 hours) to prevent algae growth as the plants adjust to their new environment. Gradually increase the lighting period as the plants begin to establish themselves.

Maintenance

• Trimming: Regular trimming of Hydrocotyle verticillata will encourage dense, lateral growth. If the plant starts to grow taller than desired, cutting back the runners will promote a more compact growth form and encourage the plant to spread across the substrate.
• Fertilization: A balanced liquid fertilizer regimen, including macronutrients (NPK) and micronutrients (iron, magnesium, etc.), will help sustain the plant’s vibrant green leaves and overall health. Root tabs can also be added to provide extra nutrients to the plant’s roots in inert substrates.
• Water Changes: Regular water changes (25-30% weekly) help maintain optimal water quality and prevent nutrient imbalances in tanks with high light and CO2.

Propagation

Hydrocotyle verticillata propagates easily by sending out runners that grow horizontally across the substrate. New plantlets will form at the nodes, and these can be separated and replanted in other areas of the aquarium if desired.

Summary

Hydrocotyle verticillata is a distinctive and eye-catching aquatic plant that can transform the foreground or midground of any aquarium into a lush, meadow-like scene. Its unique whorled leaves and creeping growth pattern make it ideal for creating natural, immersive aquascapes. Whether you’re using it in an aquascape, paludarium, or terrarium setup, this versatile plant will thrive with the right care.

Hydrocotyle verticillata from ADA Tissue Culture is the perfect way to introduce a pest-free, healthy specimen into your aquascape, offering you a clean start to creating beautiful aquatic or terrestrial landscapes.