A Detailed Guide to the Latest Hydroponic Growing Methods for Asian Pennywort

Asian pennywort, also known as Jiangxi coin grass, coin grass, white-haired marsh pennywort and so on, is a perennial creeping herbaceous plant of the genus Hydrocotyle in the family Apiaceae. Many friends are not particularly familiar with hydroponic methods for Asian pennywort, and problems always arise during the hydroponic process. So, how should Asian pennywort be grown hydroponically? Let us take a look together below.

Growth Habits of Asian Pennywort

Asian pennywort likes warm and humid conditions. A spot with partial sun or shade is best for cultivation, and direct sunlight should be avoided. It is not fussy about growing medium, but loose, 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, vigorous by nature, easy to plant, fast to propagate, and can grow both in water and on land.

Hydroponic Cultivation of Asian Pennywort

1. Propagation: Asian pennywort is generally propagated by division. In summer, use scissors to cut at the point where the creeping stem has taken root, and transplant the front plant into another water basin to propagate it. In addition, in summer Asian pennywort produces small flowers, and the seeds it then sets can also be used to propagate new plants.

2. Water quality: For hydroponic culture of Asian pennywort, ordinary tap water is fine. Change the water frequently. In summer, change the water every 3-4 days, with the water level at half the container. In winter, change the water once a week; because the leaves transpire less in winter, change only 1/3 of the water each time.

3. Light: Asian pennywort quite likes light. Generally, placing it somewhere the sun can reach, such as a windowsill, is fine. In summer the light period can be longer, and 4-5 hours is a must. In winter, if there is little light, you can use a UV lamp or a fluorescent lamp instead of sunlight.

4. Temperature: Growing Asian pennywort hydroponically in the south is effortless, because the southern climate is very suitable for growing Asian pennywort. Keeping the temperature normally at 10-26 degrees is very suitable. Too hot or too cold is not suitable for the growth of Asian pennywort.

5. Pests: The natural enemy of Asian pennywort is the water snail. Water snails will eat the roots and tender shoots of Asian pennywort. If you see this kind of small pest in the water, you must not show any mercy, because a large outbreak can put your Asian pennywort to death.

6. Fertilizing: It is not really recommended to fertilize Asian pennywort, because the nutrients produced by its own photosynthesis are enough. Of course, if you want it to grow more luxuriantly, you can apply a moderate amount of fertilizer. You can dissolve ordinary fertilizer in the water basin and let it absorb it on its own, but be careful not to make the concentration too strong; a small amount is enough.

Notes on Growing Asian Pennywort

1. Asian pennywort is a plant that likes warm and humid environments, so when growing it, a spot with partial sun or shade is best, and direct sunlight should be avoided. It is not fussy about growing medium, but loose, well-drained soil is best. If it is grown in a water basin, then give it a water change every week and add a special nutrient solution for foliage plants.

2. When planting Asian pennywort, you do not need a very large pot; an ordinary-sized bowl or basin is enough for container growing. If growing it in soil, use ordinary garden soil mixed with some river sand as the substrate, and add a small amount of organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer.

3. Asian pennywort is a plant that is quite afraid of the cold. In winter, if it is grown outdoors, pour out all the water it is growing in and place it in a south-facing, sunny, wind-sheltered spot.