Hydrocotyle vulgaris aka Marsh Pennywort

Taxonomy

Hydrocotyle vulgaris, also known as marsh pennywort, common pennywort, water naval, money plant, lucky plant, or copper coin, is a small creeping perennial aquatic herb that is native to North Africa, Europe, the Caucasus, and parts of the Levant. This super rare houseplant is easy to grow and needs lots of water to thrive, and does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. The plant has an umbrella-like leaf and lives commonly in wet places such as wetlands, marshes, and swamps, sometimes even in deeper water. It grows as a perennial herbaceous plant and only reaches stature heights of 5 to 20 centimeters. With a slight smell of carrot, they are edible. Marsh pennywort likes soil that is good at retaining moisture, and your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. Marsh pennywort belongs to the Hydrocotyle genus and is native to Northern Africa and Europe.

Common names

Marsh Pennywort, Common Pennywort, White Rot

How to care for Marsh Pennywort

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Marsh Pennywort is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Soil

Marsh Pennywort is very sensitive to dry soil. To ensure your Common Pennywort is thriving and blooming, choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil should still allow for adequate drainage and contain lots of organic matter. Coco coir or sphagnum moss are great soil additives that will help to retain moisture and provide your White Rot with the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Make sure to mix these soil additives into the potting soil before planting and water the soil thoroughly. By providing your Marsh Pennywort with a well-draining, moisture-retaining soil, you can help to maximize its growth and keep it blooming.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Marsh Pennywort prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Marsh Pennywort to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Marsh Pennywort should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Marsh Pennywort’s native range is Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, Greece and the Caspian Sea.


More info:
Wikipedia