The Planted Tank - Brazilian Water Ivy

Pennyworth is a floating stem plant which will thrive innot form as well with low levels of nitrogen, it is
most conditions, able to take a wide range of lighting.relatively undemanding on the keeper. The width of
It is native to Southern Mexico and is sometimes alsoPennywort is between two to six inches and is
called Brazilian Water Ivy.based on leaf growth.
Pennyworth is quite a small plant, but the size that itIf you need an easily kept plant for your aquarium,
will grow to in your aquarium is dependant on theparticularly if you are new to keeping plants, this is a
amount of lighting and nutrients that it receives. Thisnice contender for space. It is possible to plant
floating stem plant has a particular love of nitrogenPennywort in the substrate, where it serves well as
and many people may found that it grows very fasteither a middle or foreground plant. Planting in an
if their water is slightly hard. Low light conditions ofaquarium offers a range of benefits to the fish and
around 1.5 watts per gallon of water are all that areshould take a lot of pressure of you as the keeper,
needed for the plant to grow well, though it canby improving feeding options and aeration among
grow up to a length of twenty four inches underother aspects of the aquarium.
much higher lighting. It is important to keep in mindWith the ability to grow well under a range of lighting
that under the right conditions, growth can threatenconditions and also offering the choice of either a
to take over the aquarium.floating or planted variety to you, Pennywort is
Pennywort is a good choice for beginners because itworth some consideration. With all easily kept
is more difficult than a lot of other plants to getaquarium plants if you are not vigilant you may find it
conditions wrong. Being adaptable to a wide range ofgrows too well: be prepared to do some occasional
lighting is very beneficial as this is regarded by manypruning to keep it in check. Pennywort is likely to be
as being the hardest aspect of keeping plants,particularly valuable to you if you are new to planting
outside of changes to water chemistry. Althoughor are worried about providing the right level of light
growth will be slower on poor lighting and leaves willto your plants.