Species guide
Dwarf Hairgrass Care Guide (Eleocharis Carpet)
Aquatic plant
Dwarf hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis or the shorter parvula / mini) is the grass-texture foreground. It is more forgiving than HC Cuba and looks nothing like Monte Carlo. Medium–high light and optional CO₂; without light it grows tall and sparse instead of a turf.
- Grass carpet
- Medium–high light
- Plugs + runners
- Easier than HC
Quick facts
| Light | Medium–high; low = tall sparse blades |
|---|---|
| CO₂ | Helps density; not always required for survival |
| Temp | 18–26 °C |
| Species | Parvula/mini stays shorter than acicularis |
| Planting | Pea-size plugs 2–3 cm apart; crowns visible |
| Trim | Scissor like a lawn; never rip the mat |
| Substrate | Aquasoil or fine sand + tabs |
| Height | 3–10 cm depending on species / light |
Overview
Hairgrass is not HC and not Monte Carlo. You want a meadow, not a baby-tear sheet. Easier first carpet than HC Cuba; different look from Monte Carlo and glosso. Mini/parvula for nanos; acicularis for deeper tanks that can take taller grass.
Melt/stunt: carpet melt · stunted growth. Triangle: light/CO₂/fert. Budget: 20-gal carpet. Easy neighbors: Anubias · Java moss.
How to get a meadow
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Step 1
Split the pot into many tiny plugs
A whole puck in one hole rots. Pea-size, 2–3 cm grid, crowns at surface.
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Step 2
Pick mini vs regular on purpose
Parvula/mini for 20–30 cm tanks. Acicularis gets long in low light.
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Step 3
Medium–high light, 6–8 h
Stretchy hair = not enough intensity. Do not fix it with a 14-hour day.
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Step 4
CO₂ if you want a tight putting-green
Survival without CO₂ is possible. Density usually needs gas + soil.
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Step 5
Mow, don’t tear
Scissors parallel to the substrate. Ripping pulls runners and resets the lawn.
Common problems
Tall and see-through, not a turf
Why: Low light or acicularis in a nano.
Fix: More PAR or switch to mini. See PAR tool.
Brown tips after planting
Why: Shipping + buried crowns.
Fix: Leave it. New green from the base in 2–3 weeks.
Diatoms coating every blade
Why: New tank.
Fix: Wait the cycle. Gentle flow. Do not overdose algaecide on a new lawn.
Corys bulldoze the plugs
Why: Sand sifters on fresh plantings.
Fix: Hardscape barrier or delay corys until it knits. <a href="{EN['cory']}">Cory guide</a>.
Tank mates
Gear for this species
API Root Tabs Freshwater Aquarium Plant Fertilizer 10-Count Box
Viên phân gốc API — cây ăn rễ, bổ sung macro cho nền.
20 gallon carpet budget — Hairgrass is the easy meadow look — still needs light, not a miracle puck
FAQ
Eleocharis acicularis vs parvula?
Parvula/mini stays shorter. Acicularis is the taller ‘hair.’ One care page covers both — pick height for the tank.
Do I need CO₂?
Not always to live. Yes if you want a dense short turf.
Can I plant it in sand only?
Yes with root tabs. Soil knits faster.
Will it take over like val?
It runs, but slowly compared with Vallisneria. Easy to scissor the edge.
Good with Monte Carlo?
Yes — MC as a patch, hairgrass as another texture. Don’t plant them as one mixed wad.
Why is my ‘dwarf’ hairgrass 15 cm tall?
Low light or you got regular acicularis. Raise PAR or recut and replant tops aren’t a thing — mow shorter species next time.
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