Dwarf water clover (Marsilea crenata) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Dwarf water clover, Semanggi
Family
Marsileaceae (water clover family)
Origin
South-East Asia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
10 cm
Temperature
18–28°C
pH
6–7.5
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low to medium light; CO2 not needed

Care

Marsilea crenata grows in muddy, wet places such as rice fields, puddles and ditches in South-East Asia, where its leaves are eaten as a vegetable in East Java and north-east Thailand. Genetic studies suggest it may be the same species as, or a form of, Marsilea minuta, the dwarf water clover sold by Tropica. Water clovers are aquatic ferns, not true clovers. They creep by rhizomes and carry long-stalked leaves with four clover-like leaflets, which float in deep water, stand upright in shallow water or grow on land. They reproduce by tough, bean-like spore capsules (sporocarps) that can survive drying for decades. Wikipedia lists it among the water clovers grown in aquariums. Water clovers in general make slow, undemanding foreground carpets: plant small portions of rhizome in the foreground and let them creep. Underwater, leaves often stay single-lobed and small; in more light they split into the familiar four leaflets. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsileacrenata); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsilea); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Divide the creeping rhizome into pieces with a few leaves and roots and replant them. Spores can be raised from sporocarps, which must be nicked or cracked and soaked to open.

Compatibility and tank mates

Low carpeting plant: shrimp and small fish are ideal companions. Digging fish (many cichlids, large loaches, goldfish) uproot it before it roots in, and bottom-sifters such as corydoras can disturb young clumps.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.