Hemianthus callitrichoides (5cm Pot) Care Guide

Hemianthus callitrichoides, also known as Dwarf Baby Tears, is a popular aquatic plant widely appreciated for its delicate, tiny leaves that form a lush, green carpet in aquariums. It’s commonly used in aquascaping, especially for creating a vibrant, low-growing foreground. Here’s a concise care guide for this plant:

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: Best for tanks of 10 gallons or larger, but can also thrive in smaller tanks if maintained well.
• Lighting: High; this plant requires bright lighting to thrive and maintain its compact, carpet-like growth. Low light will cause it to stretch and lose its dense appearance.
• Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F); thrives in tropical conditions.
• pH Range: 6.0–7.5; slightly acidic to neutral water is ideal.
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (4–12 dGH).
• Substrate: Prefers a nutrient-rich substrate with good water circulation for healthy root development. Using a fine-gravel substrate or aqua soil is ideal.
• Growth Rate: Fast-growing under the right conditions; will spread quickly, so it may require trimming to prevent it from overtaking the tank.
• CO2 Requirement: Yes; CO2 supplementation is highly recommended for optimal growth, as it promotes lush, healthy, and dense growth. Without CO2, it may not grow as vigorously.

Key Tips

• Pruning: Regular trimming is necessary to keep the plant dense and prevent it from spreading too far. Trim any excess growth and replant the cuttings if desired.
• Fertilization: Regular dosing with liquid fertilizers containing micronutrients (such as iron and potassium) will keep the plant healthy and encourage vibrant green growth. Consider adding root tabs for extra nutrients.
• Water Flow: Prefers moderate water flow; avoid strong currents that may disturb the delicate leaves or uproot the plant.
• Placement: Best placed in the foreground of the aquarium as a carpeting plant. It works well in tanks where you want to create a lush, green base for other plants or aquascaping features.
• Propagation: Easily propagated by cutting the plant into small sections and replanting them. The cuttings will root quickly, allowing you to spread the carpet as desired.

Hemianthus callitrichoides is a beautiful and rewarding plant to care for in a well-maintained aquarium. With its dense growth and vibrant appearance, it adds a stunning carpet-like effect to aquascapes. While it requires high light and CO2 supplementation to thrive, it rewards hobbyists with one of the most visually appealing foreground plants available.