Hydrocotyle tripartita Tissue Culture (T/C) Cups

Hydrocotyle tripartita Tissue Culture (T/C) Cups provide a sterile, pest-free, and algae-free start for aquascaping. Commonly known as Hydrocotyle "Japan", this fast-growing, creeping aquatic plant is highly praised for its bright green, clover-like leaves. It is incredibly versatile and can be grown as a dense foreground carpet, a midground bush, or trained to climb rocks and driftwood.

📋 Plant Specifications & Requirements

Attribute	Specification	Detail
Growth Rate	Fast	Spreads quickly via horizontal runners.
Placement	Foreground to Midground	Can be used as a carpet or a trailing accent.
Lighting	Medium to High	Higher light yields a lower, tighter, and more compact growth pattern.
CO₂ Demand	Recommended	Highly recommended for carpeting; grows vertically and thinner without it.
Temperature	68°F – 82°F (20°C – 28°C)	Tolerates a wide range but thrives in stable tropical climates.
Water pH	6.0 – 7.5	Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water.
Care Level	Easy to Medium	Simple to grow, but requires regular maintenance to control its spread.

🌱 Preparation & Planting Instructions

Remove and Clean: Open the sterile cup and gently remove the entire plant mass. Place it into a small bowl of water and thoroughly wash away the clear nutrient agar gel from the roots with your fingers.
Divide into Portions: Using sharp scissors or your fingers, separate the dense mat into several smaller, manageable clumps or individual stems.
Planting into Substrate: Use fine-tipped aquascaping tweezers to grab the roots or lower stems. Push the clumps gently into a nutrient-rich substrate, spacing them evenly across your desired area. Press the stems down but ensure you do not bury the leaves.
Attaching to Hardscape (Optional): You can wedge smaller pieces into cracks or glue them directly onto rocks and driftwood. Over time, its enthusiastic roots will wrap tightly around the hardscape.

✂️ Care & Pruning Tips

Aggressive Trimming: Because it grows so rapidly, it requires regular pruning. If left unchecked, it can grow tall, block light from its own lower layers (causing die-off), or overgrow neighboring plants.
Training the Carpet: Continually cut the vertical runners and push horizontal runners down to force the plant to maintain a flat, manicured carpet.
Easy Propagation: You can easily expand your growth by snipping any runner along the shoot and replanting the cutting directly into the substrate.
Nutrient Monitoring: Due to its fast metabolism, it demands all-around liquid or root fertilization. If it runs low on nutrients, the leaves will quickly turn pale or yellowish.