Araliaceae (ivy family; formerly placed in Apiaceae)
Origin
Europe (including Britain), North Africa, the Caucasus and western Asia
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
20 cm
Temperature
5–22°C
Care level
intermediate
Care
Marsh pennywort is a small creeping perennial of wetlands, marshes, fens, swamps and bogs across Europe (including Britain), North Africa and western Asia, sometimes in deeper water. It is 5–20 cm tall, with round, shield-shaped, toothed leaves up to about 4 cm across, and sends out creeping runners up to 1 m long. It seldom flowers. Our sources do not cover aquarium use. It is a native plant for pond edges, bog gardens and cool paludariums, and it suits warm tropical tanks poorly. Temperature is our estimate, not from the sources. It is declining or protected in some European countries, so buy nursery-grown plants rather than collecting it. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocotylevulgaris); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Spreads mainly by creeping runners; cut off rooted sections and replant them.
Compatibility and tank mates
A good native plant for wildlife ponds and coldwater set-ups.
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.