Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides

RHS Plant Profile
lawn pennywort

Other common names

water pennywort

Aquatic Herbaceous Perennial

An aquatic or marginal, low-growing, creeping perennial forming a dense mat of small, kidney-shaped to rounded, shallowly-lobed leaves with toothed margins. Small clusters of tiny, greenish flowers may be borne from late spring into summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Araliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming, Submerged, Floating
Genus
A genus of aquatic or semi-aquatic horizontal plants which can be found in ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes and sometimes coastal areas. They form mats of long, creeping stems and clusters of pale green to pink flowers on upright spikes
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun or partial shade in moisture-retentive soils in bog gardens or at pond margins or grow shallowly submerged in water up to 25cm deep. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Cut back regularly to control spread

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to mint rust