Scientific Name: Hemianthus callitrichoides
Category: Aquatic Plants (Carpet Plant)

🌱 Tiny Leaves, Big Impact

Few plants can turn a bare aquarium floor into a living, breathing meadow quite like Dwarf Baby Tears. Also known as Hemianthus callitrichoides, this miniature marvel is one of the smallest and most beloved carpeting plants in the hobby. Each cluster forms dense, vibrant mats of micro leaves, creating a soft green carpet that ripples gently with the current—like a miniature underwater lawn.

Originally discovered in Cuba, Dwarf Baby Tears quickly became an aquascaping icon thanks to its lush growth pattern, oxygen-rich output, and irresistibly cute leaf size (only 2–3 mm!). It’s a favorite for both high-tech planted tanks and shrimp enthusiasts looking for a natural nursery for shrimplets.

🔍 What to Expect:

• Leaf Size: 2–3 mm, round and vivid green

• Height: 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) when fully established

• Growth Form: Compact carpeting plant

• Origin: Cuba

• Ideal Placement: Foreground and carpet

💧 Care & Conditions:

• Temp: 68–82°F (20–28°C)

• Light: Medium to high (strong lighting encourages dense carpets)

• CO₂: Highly recommended for lush, fast growth

• Substrate: Fine-grain nutrient-rich soil

• Trimming: Regular trimming encourages horizontal spread

✅ Why You’ll Love It:

• Creates a stunning, oxygen-rich carpet for shrimp and fish

• Shrimplets love grazing among its dense, protective leaves

• Perfect for aquascapes, nature-style, and Iwagumi layouts

• Adds vibrant contrast to driftwood and dark substrates

• Offers incredible realism for nano and show tanks alike

🎁 Bonus Tip:

When planting, divide into small clumps and space evenly across the substrate—once rooted, the patches will connect like puzzle pieces into a lush, continuous carpet. 💚🧩