Araliaceae
Largeleaf Pennywort (Hydrocotyle bonariensis)
Hydrocotyle bonariensis
A tough, fast-spreading herb for moist, sandy soil in full sun or part shade. Keep the soil constantly moist; it tolerates short flooding. It spreads by rhizomes and can invade lawns and nearby beds, so use edging or pots to contain it. Good for pond margins, rain gardens and soggy spots.
Every 3 days
Bright indirect
° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Largeleaf pennywort?
Largeleaf pennywort (Hydrocotyle bonariensis) is a easy-care plant from the Araliaceae family. Hydrocotyle bonariensis is a creeping perennial herb in the family Araliaceae, native to the Americas from the southeastern United States to Argentina, and now naturalised in parts of Africa, Europe and Australia. Its hairless stems run along the ground, root at the nodes and spread by rhizomes into...
Largeleaf pennywort grows up to 30cm, watering every 3 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Largeleaf pennywort tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Largeleaf pennywort is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Largeleaf pennywort?
TLDR: Largeleaf pennywort needs Bright indirect, watering every 3 days, and temperatures between 15-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Largeleaf pennywort?
Keep the soil constantly moist; in pots, water every 2-3 days in hot weather or keep a saucer of water underneath. It can sit at a pond edge with roots in shallow water. Letting it dry out completely makes it wilt.
How Much Light Does Largeleaf pennywort Need?
Grows well in full sun and part shade. In very hot, dry climates, shade during the strongest hours keeps the leaves from scorching.
What Is the Best Soil for Largeleaf pennywort?
Prefers moist, sandy soil; ordinary garden soil works too as long as it does not dry out. In pots, use soil mixed with sand and a little compost.
What Pot Should You Use for Largeleaf pennywort?
A wide, shallow pot without drainage or standing in a saucer of water, or an aquatic planting basket at the pond edge.
What Is Largeleaf pennywort and Where Does It Come From?
Hydrocotyle bonariensis is a creeping perennial herb in the family Araliaceae, native to the Americas from the southeastern United States to Argentina, and now naturalised in parts of Africa, Europe and Australia. Its hairless stems run along the ground, root at the nodes and spread by rhizomes into mats. The leaves are round, with the stalk attached at the centre like an umbrella, 5 cm or more across with scalloped edges. From spring to fall, small creamy-white flowers appear in tiered umbels on stalks up to 30 cm tall. It grows in damp, sandy places: ditches, marshes, pond edges and coastal dunes where the water table is close to the surface. The leaves are edible and used in folk medicine.
How to Propagate Largeleaf pennywort?
Division
It takes very easily. Do not dump leftovers in rivers or ponds, where it can spread.
- 1 Cut a piece of the mat with roots and a few nodes
- 2 Plant it in moist, sandy soil at the same depth
- 3 Water well and keep the soil moist until it establishes
Materials needed:
Rooted runners
Every rooted node becomes a new plant.
- 1 Cut a creeping stem that already has roots at the nodes
- 2 Bury the nodes lightly in moist mix or set them in shallow water
- 3 Keep moist until new leaves appear
Materials needed:
How Big Does Largeleaf pennywort Grow?
TLDR: Largeleaf pennywort can reach up to 30cm tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
30cm
Growth rate
Fast
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Ground Cover
Soil coverage
Edible
Can be consumed
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Medicinal Uses
- Used in folk medicine in several countries; leaf extract showed no toxicity in animal studies, but human studies are still lacking
Culinary Uses
- Young leaves eaten raw in salads, as in parts of West Africa and Asia
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
Fun Facts
The leaf stalk joins the middle of the leaf, so each leaf looks like a small umbrella
Bonariensis means from Buenos Aires
On dunes it grows where the water table lies close to the surface
Frequently asked questions
How do I care for largeleaf pennywort?
Can Hydrocotyle bonariensis grow in water?
Is largeleaf pennywort edible?
Is largeleaf pennywort invasive?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
Choose & Compare
Sources & References
- Wikipedia - Hydrocotyle bonariensis (largeleaf pennywort)
- POWO - Hydrocotyle bonariensis Comm. ex Lam.
- USGS Wetland Plant ID - Hydrocotyle bonariensis
- Vascular Plants of North Carolina - Hydrocotyle bonariensis
- Toxicological evaluation of Hydrocotyle bonariensis leaves extract (Beni-Suef Univ. J. Basic Appl. Sci., 2021)
- Review: Hydrocotyle bonariensis as edible/medicinal herb (J. Food Sci. Technol., 2022)
