Water Clover (Marsilea) care guide
Marsilea hirsuta (also sold: M. crenata / M. minuta) · Marsileaceae
Water Clover (Marsilea) (Marsilea hirsuta (also sold: M. crenata / M. minuta)) is an aquatic plant. It belongs to the Marsileaceae family. It is native to M. hirsuta: widespread in Australia (marshes and floodplains); the Asian trade species (M. crenata, now sold by Tropica as the smaller M. minuta) come from rice fields and shallow wetlands in South and Southeast Asia. It needs medium light. Water temperature: 18°C – 28°C. pH: 6.0 – 7.5. Care difficulty: Easy (a good low-tech carpet). Growth rate: moderate.
How do you care for Water Clover (Marsilea)?
| Light | Medium (survives low light but grows taller there; bright light and CO₂ keep it low and compact) |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Helpful, not required |
| Temperature | 18°C – 28°C |
| pH | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Placement | Foreground – carpet |
| Growth | Moderate |
| Difficulty | Easy (a good low-tech carpet) |
| Family | Marsileaceae |
How do you trim and propagate Water Clover (Marsilea)?
Thin or lift runners creeping into neighbouring plants; tall leaves grown in low light can be cut back. Propagate from the creeping rhizome: cut off rooted sections with daughter plants and replant them about 2 – 3 cm apart.
What problems affect Water Clover (Marsilea)?
Little growth for the first weeks and the four-leaf clovers replaced by single round leaves — the normal switch from emersed/tissue-culture to submersed form; tall, loose leaves instead of a low mat from too little light.
How do you fix Water Clover (Marsilea) problems?
Wait it out — single or 2 – 4-lobed leaves under water are normal; raise light or add CO₂ for a denser carpet. A dry start lets the rhizomes root before flooding. It is undemanding: a rich substrate or root tabs is enough in a low-tech tank. The temperature and pH ranges rest on a single source.
Where does Water Clover (Marsilea) come from?
M. hirsuta: widespread in Australia (marshes and floodplains); the Asian trade species (M. crenata, now sold by Tropica as the smaller M. minuta) come from rice fields and shallow wetlands in South and Southeast Asia
Sources
- Marsilea hirsuta — Tropica Aquarium Plants
- Marsilea minuta (formerly sold as M. crenata) — Tropica Aquarium Plants
- Marsilea hirsuta — Flowgrow Aquatic Plant Database
- Marsilea Hirsuta Tissue Culture — Buce Plant
- Marsilea hirsuta — Wikipedia
- Marsilea crenata — Wikipedia
- GBIF name match: Marsilea hirsuta — GBIF
- Cỏ đậu nành — Chợ Thủy Sinh (Vietnamese aquarium shop)
Care details checked against these sources on 2026-09-23.
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