How to grow pennywort? The latest cultivation methods and precautions

Pennywort, also known as pennywort, South American pennywort, coin grass, round coin grass, shield-leaf pennywort, golden coin lotus, etc., is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family. The plant has a trailing habit and a very strong spreading ability, making it an excellent ground cover plant. Its shape resembles both a copper coin and a small lotus leaf, making it one of the aquatic plants that are both attractive and easy to grow. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods and precautions for pennywort!

Growth habits of pennywort

Pennywort is native to Europe and is now widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In China, it is mainly distributed in the provinces south of the Yangtze River. It prefers warm and humid conditions, and the best cultivation location is partial sun or shade; it dislikes direct sunlight. It is not fussy about soil, but soft, well-drained soil is best, or it can be grown directly in water. The optimum water temperature is 22-28 degrees. It is shade-tolerant, moisture-tolerant, slightly drought-tolerant, highly adaptable, robust by nature, easy to plant, and quick to propagate. It can grow both in water and on land.

Propagation methods of pennywort

Pennywort is mainly propagated by division or cuttings, mostly carried out from March to May each year. It is easy to cultivate; keep the growing soil moist, and roots will develop in about 1-2 weeks. Seed sowing can also be used for raising seedlings. For the growing medium, a mixed substrate made of leaf mold, river mud, and garden soil can be used, in a volume ratio of 0.5:2:2. It is moisture-tolerant and an emergent type, so it is also suitable for cultivation in water basins and ponds. If grown in water, be sure to change the water once a week and add a special nutrient solution for foliage plants.

Cultivation methods for pennywort

1. Soil: Pennywort is not strict about soil. It can grow in yellow loam, red loam, or black loam, and even in poor soil. However, its drought resistance is not strong, and it grows best in fine, slightly acidic, moist loam with low fertility. It is suitable for fertile, loose soil that absorbs a lot of water and has good water retention, and can also be cultivated on moist riverbanks, in swamps, in grassland, or in freshwater with lower hardness. The growing soil can be mixed from leaf mold, river mud, and garden soil in a ratio of 5:2:2.

2. Fertilizing: Pennywort has a relatively high demand for fertilizer. During the vigorous growth stage, fertilize pennywort once every 2-3 weeks. If grown in pots or containers, only a small amount of fertilizer is needed, such as the quick-acting fertilizer Huabao No. 2, which can maintain fertilizer effectiveness in water for a relatively long time and ensure the water quality is slightly acidic or neutral.

3. Watering: Pennywort likes a relatively moist growing environment. Because it has many leaves and a high transpiration rate, in summer spray the plant frequently to maintain relatively high air humidity. The leaves should be kept clean to facilitate photosynthesis. In winter, the pot soil should preferably be on the dry side. Water according to the principle of preferring wet over dry, and avoid waterlogging, otherwise the roots rot easily. Tap water in the north should be left in the sun and allowed to stand for 1-2 days before use. During the growing season, water once every 2-3 days to keep the pot soil moist. For water cultivation, change the water once every 7-10 days in spring and summer, and once every half month in autumn and winter. If grown in water, be sure to change the water once a week and add a special nutrient solution for foliage plants. If using soil cultivation, be sure to retain water for the long term. Water once every morning; do not overwater, just until water flows out of the drainage holes at the bottom, ensuring the pot soil is thoroughly moistened.

4. Temperature: Pennywort likes a warm and humid environment but is not cold-tolerant. It grows well at temperatures of 10-25°C. When the summer temperature rises above 32°C, growth stops. In winter, the temperature must not be lower than 5°C.

5. Light: Pennywort is shade-tolerant, and partial sun or shade is best. It dislikes strong direct sunlight. The shadier the environment, the more easily the plant's leaves rot. Pennywort does not compete for light, but if it receives 4-6 hours of scattered light each day, or is given 8-10 hours of artificial light, it will grow better.

6. Disease prevention: Pennywort has very few pests and diseases. It has strong growth adaptability and needs no deliberate care. After being grown for a period of time, pennywort will fill the entire container. Frequently spray water on the leaf surface to clean the leaves and keep them green and glossy. After the growth becomes dense, attention should be paid to ventilation, otherwise the plant is prone to yellowing.

Precautions for growing pennywort

1. Pennywort likes warmth and high temperatures, and 80% sunlight is appropriate. Insufficient light or excessive shading will cause the stems to become leggy and the leaves to yellow and rot. A medium with good water retention should be used, and it should be kept moist at all times. The amphibious pennywort is commonly seen in aquatic ponds, wetlands, and other spaces, and is also very suitable for water trays and aquariums.

2. Pennywort generally does not need extensive pruning. When the leaves are too dense, promptly remove withered lower leaves and the outer old and diseased leaves to improve light and ventilation conditions. In spring, when the pot is full of roots, repot and divide and reshape the plant. If the plant grows too tall, prune it back to encourage new shoots to sprout from the base of the stems and leaves.

3. Pennywort, which likes sunlight and water, can be grown hydroponically, in soil, or in a half-water half-soil setup. Its leaves are round and very cute, and it is very easy to grow. In short, you can do whatever you like with it. It does not compete for fertilizer, but it likes light and water. As long as there is enough light and water, it will be full of vitality.

4. Pennywort does not need a very large pot; a relatively large bowl can also be used for planting, and a narcissus pot will also do. When planting, it can be planted flat, and the rhizomes should be covered so that they are not visible; be sure not to plant too deep. Then place it in partial shade for a week, and wait until new leaves have grown before exposing it to sunlight.

5. Pennywort sometimes develops yellowing leaves, mainly caused by the following reasons, which should be avoided as much as possible. First, the pot soil has been too wet or too dry for a long time, and watering has not been done as soon as the soil dries. Second, the roots have already been damaged by freezing in winter. Third, it is taken outdoors too early in spring, and pennywort cannot adapt to the sudden climate change for a time. Fourth, it has been placed in an environment with poor ventilation for a long time. Fifth, the leaf surface has not been sprayed and cleaned for a long time, and dust has accumulated, hindering photosynthesis.

6. If new leaves are generally found to be yellowing, a compound fertilizer mainly based on nitrogen fertilizer can be sprayed on the leaf surface. When water moss appears on the roots or in the water, immediately clean it and change the water, otherwise it is unfavorable to plant growth and affects ornamental value. Usually pay more attention to whether the water in the container is sufficient to avoid drying up.