Clover leaves, in a carpet. Hydrocotyle tripartita — widely sold as Hydrocotyle 'Japan' — spreads fast across the foreground in tight clusters of small three-lobed leaves. It is one of the quickest carpets to establish and one of the easiest to shape with scissors. This is the sterile Vitro Culture® format.
What You’ll Receive
- One 4-inch Vitro Culture® bag of Hydrocotyle Tripartita ready to be rinsed, separated, and planted directly into your substrate.
Plant Profile
- Common name — Clover Plant, Hydrocotyle Japan
- Scientific name — Hydrocotyle tripartita
- Also known as — Hydrocotyle sp. 'Japan', Three-part Pennywort
- Placement — Foreground to midground
- Mature height — 2–4 in
- Growth rate — Fast
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — Medium to high. Light is what keeps it flat instead of climbing
- CO₂ — Recommended
- Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5
- Substrate — Nutrient substrate recommended
- Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
- Propagation — Runners — cut and replant sections
Grower’s Notes
- Light decides carpet or climber. Under strong light it hugs the substrate. Under weak light the runners stretch upward and it stops being a carpet — the single most common complaint about this plant, and it's a lighting problem, not a plant problem.
- It grows fast enough to become a chore. Trim runners every few weeks or it crosses into neighboring plants.
- Pin fresh cuttings down with weights or tweezers until roots grab; loose sections float free.
- Divide the tissue-culture portion into small clumps and plant them an inch apart rather than as one mass.
- Compare with Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides — sturdier, thicker foliage, and quicker again.
Notes
- Minor melting or yellowing may occur after planting while the plant adjusts to your tank conditions. With proper lighting and CO₂, new shoots and runners will appear rapidly.
- Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
At a glance
- Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
- Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
- Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
- USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
- UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
- Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
- We ship within the United States only.
Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.
The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.
How it works
- Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
- Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
- We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.
Good to know
- Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
- Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
- Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.
The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.
Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.
Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.
Customers praised this aquatic plant for arriving healthy with "generous portions" and "vibrant light green color." The delicate clover-like leaves adapt well to various tank conditions. While packaging occasionally allows gel migration, plants consistently "perked up" quickly and flourished without melt, thriving in both low and high light environments.
- Very generous portions. They arrived packaged very well and all looking healthy and green.
- Love this plant with its delicate little leaves. Has adapted well in my aquarium.
- The tissue culture was extremely healthy when it arrived and has flourished with no signs of melt.
M
Love this plant with its delicate little leaves. Has adapted well in my aquarium
N
Tissue culture arrived a bit less dense compared to photo and with a little melt, so I was a bit concerned about how it would do. Once I planned it in two different tanks (one with not so great lighting, it started to grow very well. The leaves are adorable, interesting dainty clover-like shape, and a cute mini size that goes well in my nano tanks. It also has a beautiful vibrant light green color. It seems to be doing equally well in low light with pH of about 6.6, as well as under high light with oH if 7.5. I’m super thrilled with this purchase!
S
Plant came in a timely fashion. Packaging was a bit strange as a majority of the gel had migrated away from the hydrocotyle, but was in good condition and within a day of being installed in my tank perked up and looks great. Would purchase again from this seller.
B
Hydrocotyle Tripartita Vitro Culture
M
Very generous portions. I’m excited about these. They arrived packaged very well and all looking healthy and green.
P
Arrived healthy and as described. Would order again.
G
This gave me exactly enough to fill in two of my nano aqyascapes with the plus that I was able to take the remainder and grow out.
The tissue culture was extremely healthy when it arrived and has flourished with no signs of melt once added to the scape. Highly recommended.
R
Healthy, wonderful plants
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