What is the difference between pennywort and coin grass? A quick guide to tell them apart

Pennywort is also called coin grass in some regions, but in other places the two are completely different, which is quite confusing. So is pennywort actually coin grass? If not, what is the difference between the two?

1. Pennywort and coin grass

Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris) is actually a perennial emergent or wetland ornamental plant native to Europe and America, introduced and cultivated in China. Its leaves are round and peltate, grass-green in color. It produces small white flowers in umbel-like inflorescences. Its flowering period is from June to August. Coin grass, on the other hand, is a plant native to China belonging to the family Apiaceae, genus Hydrocotyle. Its leaves are round or kidney-shaped, with hairs on the back. When it blooms, the petals are white and the corolla is yellow, with a flowering period around April.

Although pennywort is also called coin grass, the two are not the same plant. When buying them in the market, coin grass has large leaves and long stems and leaves, while pennywort has very small leaves and shorter stems and leaves. But in daily life, these two plants are very hard to distinguish, and both can be used as materials for water body landscaping. Unless there is a specific need, there is no need to distinguish them so clearly.

2. How to grow pennywort

Pennywort has extremely strong adaptability and reproductive capacity. It can adapt to various living environments from water to dry land, from strong light to shade, and has good tolerance. When growing pennywort, as long as it gets enough sunlight and water, it can grow very quickly. Note that the water used for growing pennywort needs to be tap water that has been left to settle for more than two hours, or used the next day. A little nutrient solution also needs to be added to the water to promote the growth of pennywort. As long as the water does not develop a foul smell, there is no need to change it.

When pennywort is used for wetland landscaping, its invasive capacity is very strong. The part growing above ground can form high-density plant clusters, and eradicating pennywort is also very difficult. So when planting pennywort, it should be planted within a range where its growth can be controlled.

That is all for pennywort and coin grass. Flower-growing friends can make purchases according to their own preferences, but in essence there is not much of a distinction.