Hydrocotyle vulgaris

Hydrocotyle vulgaris, also known as Water Pennywort or Marsh Pennywort, is a semi-aquatic perennial ground-cover plant with small round and vibrant green leaves that float on the water's surface. It can be used submerged in a pond or as a trailing plant in a waterfall. Its summer flowering is small and insignificant. It is useful for oxygenating the water and providing refuge for fry. It also acts as a purifier, absorbing suspended nutrients.

Hydrocotyle vulgaris belongs to the Araliaceae family. It is native to Europe and North Africa where it can be found in moist meadows and peat bogs. It is a slender and creeping perennial herb that forms a dense clump of scalloped, rounded, glossy, bright green leaves measuring 2 to 3 cm in diameter. With petioles whhich are smooth at the base and covered with fine bristles at the top. They have a slight carrot-like odour and are edible. The flowers are whitish, greenish, or pinkish and appear discreetly in July-August. The foliage is semi-evergreen, visible down to -5°C and therefore evergreen in mild climates. The plant is hardy.

Plant Water Pennywort between 5 cm and 30 cm deep in water. The plant prefers neutral pH water. It appreciates moderately rich, rather heavy, and peaty soils. Weigh down the plant with a stone, place it in a basket, or make a hole at the bottom of the pond. As a nutrient-hungry plant, it also helps purify the water by assimilating some of the excess nutrients. It is a good oxygenating plant. In the submerged part, fry and tadpoles can find a safe haven. To prevent attacks from carp or herbivorous fish, a 10 cm protection can be installed around the basket. Hydrocotyle is also highly decorative when placed in a waterfall, with its stems trailing beautifully, as long as it remains submerged.