Plant size: Bushy plant | 2.5" Pot Included
Pennywort is a common name for several plants, including:
Centella asiatica: Also known as Indian pennywort, Asiatic pennywort, gotu kola, coinwort, or spadeleaf, this perennial herb is native to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and the western Pacific Ocean. It's used in traditional medicine and as a culinary vegetable. It contains vitamins A and C, as well as flavonoids and terpenoids.
Lawn pennywort: A perennial broadleaf plant with creeping underground stems, found in the South Coast of California. It has round or kidney-shaped leaves with five to seven shallow lobes on the edge.
Navelwort: A succulent, perennial flowering plant in the stonecrop family Crassulaceae. It's also known as penny-pies, wall pennywort, or kidneywort.
Water pennywort: An aquatic or semi-aquatic plant in the genus Hydrocotyle. It's also known as floating pennywort, Indian pennywort, marsh penny, thick-leaved pennywort, or white rot.
Liver leaf: Also known as liverwort, its scientific name is Anemone hepatica.
Virginian pennywort: Its scientific name is Obolaria virginica.
Pennywort - Description
Shield-shaped leaf
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, it is edible.[citation needed]
This marsh plant forms numerous, up to 1 meter long, creeping offshoots. The serrated, rounded, shield-shaped leaves can have a diameter of up to 4 centimeters, but are often smaller. The approach of the long, hairy petioles is located in the middle of the leaf underside. The leaves are fresh green, shiny waxy and shows a clear, radially extending vein.[citation needed]
The tiny, inconspicuous, hermaphrodite flowers are in low-flowered doldigen? inflorescences or whorls, with the stems of the inflorescence about half as long as those of the leaves. The petals are greenish, white or reddish. The flowering period is from July to August. The fruits are flat, warty and winged.[3]
Cultivation
A low maintenance plant, it prefers to grow in reliably moist humus under a full sun or in part shade, indoors or outdoors, though it can tolerate full shade as well. It may also be grown as an aquatic plant in mud at the side of a pond or water garden in up to 2 inches of stagnant water. Despite its habitat in water, over-watering may still cause root rot.[4]
Population
The plant is distributed and plentiful throughout much of its range in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. Nonetheless, it is classed as critically endangered in Croatia, vulnerable in Switzerland and near threatened in Norway. Furthermore, the plant is protected under regional legislation in France.[1]
Ecology
In Britain it is the only native Hydrocotyle, growing in wet places such as fens, swamps, bogs and marshes. For example, it is a component of purple moor grass and rush pastures – a type of Biodiversity Action Plan habitat. The flowers rarely bloom; mostly self-pollination takes place. Vegetative propagation occurs through foothills. In wild plant gardens, the marsh pennywort is used for the planting of garden ponds, and also as aquarium plant.
Pennywort, also known as coin plant or marsh pennywort, is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant. Here's a guide to its care:
Light:
Thrives in partial sun or bright indirect light.
Avoid direct sunlight, especially during hot summer days, as it can scorch the leaves.
Water:
Prefers consistently moist soil.
Water regularly to keep the soil damp but not waterlogged.
You can also grow it in water, making it a great choice for aquariums or terrariums.
Soil:
Use well-draining potting mix.
Adding a bit of peat moss or sphagnum moss can help retain moisture.
Temperature:
Prefers warm temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
Can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures but avoid cold drafts.
Humidity:
Thrives in high humidity environments.
Mist the leaves regularly or use a humidifier to maintain humidity levels.
Fertilizer:
Feed with a diluted liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring and summer).
Avoid over-fertilizing as it can damage the roots.
Propagation:
Easily propagated by stem cuttings or division.
Simply cut a stem with a few leaves and roots and plant it in moist soil or water.
Common Problems:
Yellowing leaves: Can be caused by overwatering or underwatering. Adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
Brown leaf tips: Indicates low humidity. Mist the leaves more frequently or use a humidifier.
Leggy growth: Lack of light can cause the plant to become leggy. Move it to a brighter location.
Additional Tips:
Pennywort can be invasive, so keep it in a container to control its growth.
It is edible and has medicinal properties.
The leaves can be used in salads or as a garnish.
By following these simple care tips, you can enjoy the beauty of your pennywort plant for years to come!
