Tropical Marshpennywort: A Tiny Wetland Wonder for Your Water Garden
Looking for a native ground cover that thrives in soggy conditions where other plants fear to tread? Meet tropical marshpennywort (Hydrocotyle pusilla), a charming little perennial that’s perfectly at home with wet feet and might just be the solution to your boggy garden challenges.
What Makes This Plant Special?
Don’t let the tropical in its name fool you into thinking this is some exotic import. Tropical marshpennywort is actually a native gem from Puerto Rico, where it naturally carpets wetland areas with its distinctive coin-shaped leaves. This herbaceous perennial belongs to the forb family, meaning it’s a non-woody plant that dies back to ground level but returns year after year from its roots.
Where Does It Call Home?
This little beauty is native exclusively to Puerto Rico, where it thrives in the island’s tropical wetland environments. As an obligate wetland species, it’s found almost exclusively in consistently moist to wet areas throughout its native range.
Why You Might Want to Grow Tropical Marshpennywort
If you’re dealing with persistently wet areas in your landscape, tropical marshpennywort could be your new best friend. Here’s what makes it worth considering:
- Forms attractive, low-growing mats of round, penny-sized leaves
- Perfect for bog gardens, water features, and wetland restoration projects
- Excellent for erosion control in wet areas
- Spreads naturally via runners, filling in spaces efficiently
- Requires minimal care once established in suitable conditions
The Reality Check: Is This Plant Right for You?
Before you get too excited, let’s talk about the limitations. Tropical marshpennywort is quite particular about its growing conditions and isn’t suitable for most typical garden situations:
- Only hardy in USDA zones 10-11 (think southern Florida and Hawaii)
- Absolutely requires constantly moist to wet soil conditions
- Won’t tolerate drought or standard garden soil
- Limited aesthetic appeal compared to showier water plants
- Small, inconspicuous flowers provide minimal pollinator value
Growing Conditions and Care
If you live in the right climate and have the perfect soggy spot, here’s how to keep tropical marshpennywort happy:
Light: Full sun to partial shade – it’s quite adaptable to different light conditions as long as moisture levels stay high.
Soil: Consistently moist to wet soils are non-negotiable. Think bog-like conditions or areas that stay saturated most of the year.
Water: This is where tropical marshpennywort shines – it loves what most plants hate. Keep it constantly moist or even standing in shallow water.
Maintenance: Once established, this plant is refreshingly low-maintenance. It will spread naturally through runners, so you may need to manage its expansion if space is limited.
The Bottom Line
Tropical marshpennywort is definitely a niche plant for niche situations. If you’re in zones 10-11 and have a wet area that needs covering, or you’re creating a bog garden or wetland restoration area, this native Puerto Rican plant could be exactly what you need. However, if you’re looking for a typical garden perennial or live in a temperate climate, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
For gardeners outside Puerto Rico, consider this plant as inspiration to seek out your own local wetland natives that can provide similar benefits while supporting your regional ecosystem.
