Description
Plant Profile
If you want a reliable, foolproof way to get that classic backyard-lawn aesthetic inside your aquarium, Eleocharis Pusillis is your go-to choice. Highly popular throughout the hobby, this iconic aquatic grass features ultra-thin, bright green stalks that spread out horizontally by sending out eager runners. It behaves just like a terrestrial lawn, making it incredibly easy to work with, whether you are planting a traditional submerged scape or working on an emersed dry start or Wabi Kusa. It is a fantastic, straightforward option for giving your tank a clean, uniform, and natural look.
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
Beginner-friendly option that behaves predictably and adapts easily to various tank setups.
Forms a classic, vibrant green lawn across your foreground through horizontal underground runners.
Care & Planting Instructions
Thoroughly wash away the nutrient gel from the roots with your fingers before parting it out into manageable portions and planting.
Separate into small clumps and press them compactly into a quality aquarium soil to give the roots the perfect head start.
Use a dry start method or Wabi Kusa setup to give its root system plenty of time to firmly anchor into the substrate before you flood the tank.
Maintain stable aquarium parameters and avoid drastic shifts in water quality to prevent your new grass from melting.
Provide medium to high lighting and inject pressurized CO2 to supercharge its density and growth rate, keeping it low and compact.
Master the basics by learning how to properly grow aquarium carpet plants to ensure your new layout fills in quickly.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
Attribute
Specification
Scientific Name
Eleocharis pusilla
Common Name(s)
Dwarf Hairgrass, Eleocharis Parvula, Eleocharis Acicularis Mini
Family
Cyperaceae
Plant Type / Taxonomy
Carpeting Foreground / Grass
Care Difficulty
Easy
Light Requirement
Medium to High
CO2 Requirement
Recommended (Speeds up carpet density)
Placement / Usage
Foreground Carpet
Height / Size
2+ inches
Growth Rate
Moderate to Fast
Water Parameters
pH 6.0 – 7.5 | Temperature 68°F – 82°F (20°C – 28°C)
Propagation Method
Separate runners and replant
Origin
Cosmopolitan (Australia / Asia)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I plant Dwarf Hairgrass tissue culture?
Use fine-tip pinsettes to push each portion deep into fine aquasoil. Spacing them 1 inch apart gives the underground runners plenty of room to spread and fill in gaps.
2. Can I grow Dwarf Hairgrass in a low-tech tank without CO2?
Yes. Dwarf Hairgrass is one of the easiest carpeting plants in the hobby and will spread in low-tech setups without pressurized CO2. However, injecting CO2 and providing medium-to-high lighting will force the runners to spread much faster and form a noticeably denser lawn.
3. How do I trim Dwarf Hairgrass to keep it looking neat?
Once established, use sharp curved aquascaping scissors to mow the grass straight across, about 1 inch above the substrate. Regular trimming encourages the plant to direct its energy into sending out new horizontal runners rather than growing taller blades.
