Hemianthus Callitrichoides 'Cuba' (Dwarf Baby Tears)

Plant Profile

Common Names: Dwarf Baby Tears, Micranthemum Callitrichoides, Hemianthus Callitrichoides

Formally known as Hemianthus Callitrichoides (or simply HC), Dwarf Baby Tears is pretty much the poster child of aquarium carpet plants. Holding the title as one of the smallest aquatic plants available in the hobby, this iconic species is the perfect flora for creating that ultra-fine, lush, meadow-like foreground seen in many stunning aquascapes. When grown in classic Iwagumi layouts, the vast, velvety fields of vibrant green have a truly captivating effect on any audience. Its tiny leaves create an incredible sense of scale, making even small nano tanks feel massive and majestic.

Key Features & Benefits

• Form the tightest, most compact green carpet possible, thanks to having some of the smallest leaves of any aquatic plant.
• Achieve the iconic, professional Iwagumi aesthetic with vast fields of green that instantly captivate anyone looking at your tank.

Care & Planting Instructions

• Inject pressurized CO2 and stick to a reliable fertilization schedule, as it can be quite difficult to grow a lush, thick carpet for sustained periods without them.
• While some hobbyists have found success using liquid carbon like Excel in small tanks, real CO2 is highly recommended to maintain a nice foreground.
• Use a dry start method or Wabi Kusa setup to give its microscopic, delicate root system plenty of time to firmly anchor into the substrate before you flood the tank.
• Take extra care when planting small clumps into the substrate with pinsettes, as its tiny size makes it highly prone to floating until the roots establish.
• Master the basics by learning how to properly grow aquarium carpet plants to ensure your new layout fills in quickly, evenly, and stays free of algae.

Quick Facts

Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. We encourage you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!

• Family Name: Scrophulariaceae
• Origin: North America, Cuba
• Height: 1–2 inches
• Placement: Foreground
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Temperature: 68–82°F
• Care Level: Medium to Difficult
• Light Requirements: Medium to High
• CO2: Required
• Propagation: Cut new growth along with roots
• Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast