Here’s the complete care profile for Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini Variegated’, which is basically a smaller, more delicate version of the standard Hydrocotyle tripartita variegated.

🌿 Plant Overview

• Scientific Name: Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini Variegated’

• Common Names: Mini Variegated Hydrocotyle Tripartita, Mini Clover Variegated

• Family: Araliaceae

• Origin: Cultivated aquarium variety (original species native to Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia)

• Type: Foreground/creeping aquarium plant

• Growth Rate: Medium (faster in high light + CO₂)

• Height: 1–5 cm (smaller than normal tripartita variegated)

• Spread: Dense, low carpet

🌱 Identification

• Leaves: Tiny clover-like leaves (about 0.5–1 cm in diameter) divided into three rounded lobes.

• Variegation: Distinct creamy-white to light-yellow patches on green leaves, giving a decorative contrast.

• Growth Habit: Compact creeping runners, forming a tighter carpet compared to the normal variety.

• Special Feature: Keeps a miniature size even in strong lighting, perfect for nano aquascapes.

💧 Water Parameters

Low light will make leaves larger, more spaced out, and reduce variegation.

🏠 Tank Placement

• Foreground: Best used as a low carpet plant.

• Nano Tanks: Ideal for small aquariums due to tiny leaf size.

• Aquascaping Uses: Works well for creating contrast in Iwagumi, Dutch, and Nature-style layouts.

🌟 Care & Maintenance

• Substrate: Nutrient-rich (e.g., ADA Amazonia, Tropica Aquarium Soil) encourages healthy rooting.

• Fertilization: Needs a steady supply of macros (NPK) and micros (iron especially for color).

• CO₂ Injection: Strongly advised for lush growth and bright white variegation.

• Trimming: Frequent trimming promotes denser carpets; cut above nodes to encourage side shoots.

• Planting: Split into small clumps and space 2–3 cm apart for faster coverage.

🍃 Propagation

• Produces creeping runners with plantlets at each node.

• Cut runners and replant to expand carpet.

✅ Tips for Success

• Give consistent high light and CO₂ for best color and smallest leaves.

• Avoid shading from tall plants—it will grow upward instead of spreading.

• Combine with darker green or red plants for a striking color pop.

• Ideal for aquascapes where precision and detail matter.

🌿 Suitable Tankmates

• Peaceful nano fish (rasboras, small tetras, micro danios)

• Freshwater shrimp (Amano, cherry)

• Snails for algae control (Nerite, horned nerite)