Hemianthus Callitrichoides (Dwarf Baby Tears) Aquatic Farmer Tissue Culture

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. As one of the tiniest aquatic plants in the hobby, it’s the go‑to for creating those jaw‑dropping, bright green fields you see in Iwagumi layouts. Its tiny leaves create an incredible sense of scale, making your tank look like a massive, captivating rolling landscape. It may take a little practice to grow, but the results are seriously satisfying for bobbyists.

Tissue Culture cups ensure your aquascape gets a super clean starting point. Lab‑grown and fully sterile, it arrives without pests, snails, duckweed, or any unwanted algae. It’s the go‑to option for anyone who wants peace of mind when adding fresh greenery to a carefully maintained setup.

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

• Ensure you thoroughly wash away or soak off the nutrient gel from the roots with your fingers before dividing and planting.
• 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 prep and planting process by checking out a beginner's guide to tissue culture plants to prevent your delicate new plantlets from melting or floating away.

Quick Facts

• 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