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Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides) | Aquatic Plant – Superior Shrimp & Aquatics

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Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides)

Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides)

$7.00
$7.00
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Dwarf Baby Tears – Superior Shrimp & Aquatics
Aquatic Plants

Dwarf Baby Tears

The smallest aquatic carpet plant — impossibly fine, brilliantly green, and deeply rewarding to grow well.

Challenging Difficulty High Light Required CO₂ Strongly Recommended Foreground Carpet Plant Shrimp & Fry Friendly Nano & Nature Aquascape

Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides), commonly known as HC or HC Cuba, is widely regarded as the smallest aquatic plant in the hobby — and one of the most visually striking when grown well. Its tiny, round leaves spread in dense, bright green mats across the substrate, creating the immaculate foreground carpets that define high-end nature aquascapes and Iwagumi layouts. It is not a beginner plant. HC demands high light, consistent CO₂, and stable nutrients to establish and spread properly. But for aquascapers willing to meet those requirements, it produces a carpet that no other plant quite replicates — fine, lush, and with a tendency to pearl prolifically under good conditions. It also makes exceptional cover for shrimp and fry, who actively forage through the dense mat throughout the day.

Strongly Rec. CO₂
68–82°F Temperature
High Lighting
What to Expect

Growth & Behavior Over Time

Slow establishment, then rapid spread — HC takes several weeks to root and begin horizontal spreading after planting. Once established under good conditions, growth accelerates and the carpet fills in steadily from the planting points outward. Prolific pearling under high light and CO₂ — when conditions are dialed in, tiny oxygen bubbles form densely across the leaf surfaces during peak photosynthesis, creating one of the most visually impressive pearling displays of any aquatic plant. Grows upward without enough light — insufficient light causes HC to grow vertically rather than spreading flat along the substrate. High-intensity lighting is the single most important factor in achieving a true low carpet. CO₂ is the difference between struggling and thriving — without CO₂ supplementation, HC grows very slowly, is prone to melting, and rarely achieves the dense carpet effect it is known for. CO₂ injection is strongly recommended for reliable results. Exceptional shrimp and fry habitat — the dense, fine mat accumulates biofilm throughout and provides secure cover for Neocaridina, Caridina shrimp, and newly born fry that forage actively within it. Regular trimming maintains carpet density — left untrimmed, HC grows into thick, layered mats that can trap detritus and develop dead patches underneath. Periodic trimming with scissors keeps the carpet flat, dense, and healthy.
How to Set It Up

Getting Started

1 Use a fine, nutrient-rich substrate — plant HC into a fine-grained active or enriched substrate. Roots are delicate and shallow; a soft, fertile substrate gives the plant the best chance of rooting quickly and spreading evenly.
2 Separate and plant in small portions — divide the tissue culture or portion into small clusters of a few stems each and press them gently into the substrate across the foreground. Spreading the planting points out encourages faster, more even carpet coverage.
3 Run high light and CO₂ from the start — HC needs both from day one. Set lighting to high intensity with a consistent photoperiod and ensure CO₂ is injecting before the lights come on each day. This combination is what drives horizontal spreading rather than vertical growth.
4 Dose nutrients consistently and trim regularly — maintain a balanced fertilizer routine covering macros and micros. Once the carpet is established, trim with fine scissors every few weeks to prevent layering and keep the mat tight and even across the substrate.
💡 Bonus Tip

Running a dry start — planting HC in moist substrate before flooding the tank — dramatically improves establishment success. The emersed growth phase lets roots anchor deeply before submersion, resulting in a faster, more even carpet once the tank is filled and CO₂ is introduced.

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Browse more aquatic plants

Pair Dwarf Baby Tears with midground stem plants or hardscape for a complete nature aquascape. Browse our Aquatic Plants collection.

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    Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides)
    $7.00
    $7.00
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