Hydrocotyle vulgaris
Marsh pennywort
- Height × spread
- 0.1m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Widespread across much of the Mediterranean in marshes and boggy places and at the edge of streams. This is an appealing little plant with round green leaves having rounded lobes. It is coloured bright green with lighter veins and a tiny pale spot at the centre that marks the point at which the leafstalk is attached to its underside. It is a trailing plant that roots as it goes. It does flower, producing tiny pink-green blooms that generally remain unseen as the leaves hide them. This is used as a marginal plant for ponds.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.1m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Water garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Water depth
- Up to 1.5cm
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Feed with aquatic plant food
As the plant is grown in water, feed with an aquatic feed as directed on the packet. Do not exceed the amounts given as this can affect the water.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water frequently to keep the soil moist
The plant thrives in moist or boggy soil, doesn't tolerate dryness and should be watered frequently, not only after a period of drought, but if the soil begins to dry out spring to autumn. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.