Pennywort Vs Moneywort – Your Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Perfect

Written ByHoward Parker

Ever find yourself staring at two gorgeous, green aquatic plants, both with charming roundish leaves, and feeling completely stumped? You’re not alone. The classic pennywort vs moneywort debate is one that trips up new and even experienced aquascapers. They look similar at a glance, but their growth habits and best uses in a tank couldn’t be more different.

Don’t worry, I’m here to clear up all the confusion for you. Think of me as your friendly guide in the world of aquatic plants. We’re going to break down everything you need to know to choose with confidence, ensuring you pick the absolute perfect plant for your aquarium’s vision and your lifestyle.

In this complete guide, we’ll dive deep into their unique looks, how they grow, their specific care needs, and even some common problems you might encounter. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly which of these green beauties belongs in your tank. Let’s get growing!

At a Glance: A Quick Comparison Table

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, let’s start with a simple side-by-side look. Sometimes seeing the key differences laid out like this is all you need to make a quick decision.

  • Common Name: Pennywort (Brazilian Pennywort) vs. Moneywort (Brahmi)
  • Scientific Name: Hydrocotyle leucocephala vs. Bacopa monnieri
  • Leaf Shape: Round, lily-pad-like leaves on individual stalks. vs. Oval or slightly elongated leaves growing in pairs directly on the main stem.
  • Growth Habit: Fast-growing vine or runner. Can be planted, left to float, or even grow out of the tank. vs. Slower-growing, upright stem plant. Forms dense bushes or backgrounds.
  • Lighting Needs: Low to high. Very adaptable. vs. Moderate to high for best results.
  • CO2: Not required, but appreciated. vs. Not required, but highly recommended for dense, compact growth.
  • Difficulty: Very Easy. A true beginner’s plant. vs. Easy to Moderate. Simple to keep alive, but needs more attention to thrive.
  • Best For: Floating cover, filling midground space quickly, adding a wild, natural look. vs. Creating structured backgrounds, neat midground bushes, and Dutch-style aquascapes.

Meet the Contender: What is Pennywort (Hydrocotyle leucocephala)?

Let’s talk about the wild child of the two: Brazilian Pennywort. This plant is the definition of versatile and is one of the most forgiving plants you can add to your aquarium. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone just starting their planted tank journey.

Distinctive Appearance

The first thing you’ll notice about Pennywort is its leaves. Each leaf is a perfect little green circle, resembling a miniature lily pad. What’s truly unique is that each leaf grows on its own thin stalk (called a petiole) that connects to a central, vine-like runner. This gives it a sprawling, almost whimsical appearance that can add a touch of untamed nature to your aquascape.

Unique Growth Habits

This is where Pennywort truly shines. It doesn’t care how you want to grow it! You have a few great options:

  1. Planted in Substrate: You can plant the runners in your sand or gravel. It will send out roots and grow upwards towards the light, creating a jungle-like effect in your midground or background.
  2. Left to Float: Simply toss it in the tank! It will happily float on the surface, creating a beautiful, shaded canopy. This is amazing for shy fish like Bettas or Gouramis who love cover, and it’s a perfect hiding spot for newborn fry.
  3. Emersed Growth: It will even grow right out of the top of your tank, which is a fantastic look for open-top aquariums.

Benefits of Choosing Pennywort

The benefits of pennywort vs moneywort often come down to speed and versatility. Pennywort is a nutrient sponge, growing incredibly fast and soaking up excess nitrates from the water column. This makes it a superstar at helping to control algae and maintain excellent water quality. Its adaptability makes it a stress-free addition to almost any tank.

Meet the Contender: What is Moneywort (Bacopa monnieri)?

Now, let’s look at the more orderly and structured of the pair: Moneywort, also known as Brahmi. While it’s also a fantastic plant for beginners, it has a more traditional “stem plant” look and feel, making it perfect for creating neat, organized aquascapes.

Distinctive Appearance

Unlike Pennywort’s single-leaf-per-stalk structure, Moneywort grows its leaves in pairs. Two bright green, slightly fleshy, oval-shaped leaves sprout directly opposite each other along a thick, sturdy central stem. This creates a much more uniform and predictable pattern of growth, which is highly prized in certain aquascaping styles.

Classic Stem Plant Growth

Moneywort is a classic background or midground plant. You plant the stems directly into your substrate, and they grow straight up towards the light. When planted in a group, Moneywort forms a dense, lush green wall or bush. It’s a slower, more deliberate grower than Pennywort, which means less frequent trimming and more control over its shape.

Benefits of Choosing Moneywort

The main benefit of Moneywort is its structure. It’s perfect for creating clean lines and dense hedges in Dutch-style aquascapes. Because it grows more slowly, it requires less maintenance than the rapidly spreading Pennywort. It’s a reliable, hardy plant that adds a rich sense of depth and texture to the back half of your aquarium.

The Ultimate Pennywort vs Moneywort Care Guide

Okay, you know what they look like and how they grow. But what do they need to thrive? This pennywort vs moneywort care guide breaks down the essentials. The good news? Both are quite hardy!

Lighting Requirements: Low-Tech Friend or High-Tech Lover?

Pennywort: This plant is incredibly adaptable. It will survive in low light, but it will thrive and grow much more compactly in medium to high light. In low light, the distance between leaves will be greater, giving it a more “leggy” look.

Moneywort: It prefers medium to high light. In low-light conditions, it will often shed its lower leaves and grow very tall and thin as it desperately reaches for a light source. To get that beautiful, bushy appearance, you’ll want to provide it with good illumination.

Substrate and Nutrients

Both plants are primarily water-column feeders, meaning they absorb most of their nutrients directly from the water through their leaves and stems. While a nutrient-rich substrate is helpful, it’s not a deal-breaker.

What’s more important is a good liquid fertilizer. I recommend a comprehensive fertilizer dosed once or twice a week to ensure they get all the macro and micronutrients they need to stay green and healthy.

CO2 Injection: Necessary or Optional?

Here’s a big question for many hobbyists. The simple answer is no, you do not need CO2 for either of these plants to survive. They are both excellent choices for low-tech tanks.

However, adding CO2 will supercharge their growth. For Pennywort, it means faster, more robust growth. For Moneywort, CO2 is the secret to getting that super dense, compact, vibrant green look you see in professional aquascapes. It’s a “nice to have” for Pennywort and a “highly recommended” for ideal Moneywort.

Water Parameters

Don’t stress too much here! Both plants are tolerant of a wide range of conditions, which is why they’re so popular.

  • Temperature: A comfortable range of 72-82°F (22-28°C) is perfect for both.
  • pH: They will do well in a pH range from 6.0 to 7.5.
  • Hardness: They are not fussy about water hardness and can adapt to both soft and hard water.

Aquascaping with Pennywort and Moneywort: Best Practices

Knowing how to use these plants is key. This is where you can really let your creativity shine! Following these pennywort vs moneywort best practices will help you create a stunning underwater garden.

Creating a Lush Background with Moneywort

Moneywort is a dream for backgrounds. Plant 5-10 stems together in a group, leaving about an inch between each stem. As they grow, they will fill in the space, creating a dense green curtain. Let them grow a few inches above the desired height, then trim them and replant the tops right next to the parent plants. This is the technique for creating a thick, bushy wall of green.

The Versatile Charm of Pennywort

Pennywort offers more creative freedom. You can plant it in the midground and let it weave between rocks and driftwood for a wild, natural look. Or, let it float on the surface to dim the light and provide a safe haven for your fish. Some aquascapers even meticulously pin the runners to the substrate to create a unique, large-leafed carpet, though this takes some effort.

Pro-Tip: Trimming and Propagation for a Denser Look

Both plants are incredibly easy to propagate. This is a core part of any how to pennywort vs moneywort guide. For Moneywort, simply cut the top 3-4 inches of a healthy stem and replant it. The bottom part will sprout new side shoots, making the plant bushier.

For Pennywort, just snip a section of the runner that has a few leaves and roots on it. You can then plant this section or let it float, and it will quickly become a new, independent plant.

Common Problems with Pennywort vs Moneywort (And How to Fix Them)

Even the easiest plants can run into trouble. Here are some common problems with pennywort vs moneywort and the simple solutions.

Battling “Leggy” Growth

This is when the plant has long, bare stems between the leaves. It’s almost always a sign of insufficient light. The plant is stretching to find more. To fix it, try increasing your light intensity or the duration your lights are on (don’t exceed 8-10 hours to avoid algae).

Dealing with Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves usually point to a nutrient deficiency. If new leaves are yellow, it could be a lack of iron. If older leaves are yellowing, it’s often a nitrate deficiency. The easiest fix is to start using a comprehensive liquid fertilizer regularly.

Algae Management on Slow Growers

Because Moneywort is a slower grower, it can sometimes become a target for algae, especially in high-light tanks. Ensure you have good water flow and consider adding some algae-eating crew like Amano shrimp or Otocinclus catfish to help keep the leaves clean.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Aquascaping Choices

Choosing plants like Pennywort and Moneywort is an excellent step towards a more sustainable hobby. These plants are often commercially grown, reducing the impact on wild habitats. Furthermore, because they propagate so easily, you can create a truly eco-friendly pennywort vs moneywort system.

Once your plants are thriving, you can trim them and share the cuttings with fellow hobbyists in your local aquarium club or online. This prevents waste and reduces the demand for shipping plants across the country, making your beautiful aquarium a little bit greener for the planet, too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pennywort vs Moneywort

Can pennywort and moneywort be grown together?

Absolutely! They look fantastic together. The structured, upright growth of Moneywort in the background can be beautifully contrasted with the wild, sprawling nature of Pennywort in the midground or floating on top.

Which plant is better for beginners?

While both are easy, Pennywort is arguably the easier of the two. Its tolerance for very low light and its ability to thrive even when just floating make it almost foolproof. Moneywort is also great for beginners, but it requires a bit more light to look its best.

Do I need CO2 for either pennywort or moneywort?

Nope! Neither plant requires CO2 injection to grow and be healthy. They are perfect for low-tech setups. However, adding CO2 will significantly improve the health, color, and growth density of both, especially Moneywort.

How fast do pennywort and moneywort grow?

Pennywort is a very fast grower. In a tank with good light and nutrients, you may need to trim it weekly. Moneywort is a moderate grower. You’ll likely only need to trim it every 2-4 weeks to keep it in shape.

So, Which One is for You?

At the end of the day, the pennywort vs moneywort decision comes down to your personal vision for your tank. Both are wonderful, hardy, and beautiful plants that can bring life to any aquarium.

If you want a versatile, fast-growing plant that can provide cover and a wild, natural aesthetic, go with Pennywort. If you’re looking for a structured, classic stem plant to create dense backgrounds and neat bushes with a bit less maintenance, Moneywort is your winner.

There’s no wrong answer here. The best part of this hobby is experimenting and finding what you love. So pick one (or both!), plant it with confidence, and enjoy the satisfaction of watching your underwater world flourish. Go forth and grow!

Howard Parker
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