Here’s all about Hydrocotyle vulgaris — commonly known as the European pennywort or Coin Plant, a versatile and eye-catching aquarium plant that can be grown submerged, emersed, or even terrestrially in paludariums.

🌿 Scientific Classification

• Scientific Name: Hydrocotyle vulgaris

• Common Names:

  • Coin Plant

  • European Pennywort

  • Marsh Pennywort

• Family: Araliaceae

• Origin: Europe, North Africa, and parts of Western Asia

🌱 Appearance

• Leaf Shape: Round, flat, and coin-shaped — like miniature lily pads

• Leaf Color: Bright to medium green

• Growth Style: Creeping runner plant (like a vine); can float, crawl, or carpet

• Size:

  • Leaf Diameter: 1–2.5 cm

  • Height: Typically 5–15 cm when submerged

💧 Aquarium Requirements

🌾 Growth & Propagation

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

• Growth Habit:

  • Sends out horizontal runners along substrate

  • Can float or climb hardscape

• Propagation:

  • Naturally propagates via runners

  • You can cut and replant stems or nodes

• Placement: Foreground, midground, or even floating

🌟 Aquascaping Use

• Creates a lush, creeping foreground carpet in shallow tanks

• Great for paludariums and ripariums where it can crawl above water

• Can be used to wrap around rocks, driftwood, or climb vertically

• Adds texture contrast to fine-leaved plants like:

  • Eleocharis (hairgrass)

  • Riccia

  • Marsilea

🧠 Care Tips

• Needs frequent trimming to avoid overgrowth and shading other plants

• Keep leaves unshaded for compact and healthy growth

• CO₂ boosts compactness and speed, but it also thrives without it

• Can handle cooler water, making it suitable for coldwater tanks too

• Adaptable to both wet soil and submerged conditions

⚠️ Common Issues

🐠 Compatibility

• Shrimp-friendly

• Safe for all peaceful community fish

• May be nibbled on by goldfish or herbivorous fish

• Provides hiding space for fry and microfauna

📌 Quick Summary

✅ Why Choose Hydrocotyle vulgaris?

• Unique coin-shaped leaves add texture to scapes

• Grows well submerged or emersed

• Can be carpeted, floated, or trailed

• Low-maintenance and great for both beginners and pros