Micro sword

Quick facts

Max height

7 cm

Growth rate

slow

Difficulty

intermediate

Placement

foreground

Propagation

runners

Water parameters

Temperature

18–26°C

pH

6.0 to 7.5

Hardness

2 to 18 dGH

Cold water

tolerated (unheated setups)

Light and nutrients

Lighting

high

CO2

not required, but boosts growth and color

Substrate

nutrient preferred

Feeding

feeds from both water column and roots (liquid ferts plus root tabs)

Substrate

What this plant roots into (or attaches to). The substrate affects both plant nutrition and water chemistry; see each linked page for full effects.

This plant feeds primarily from the water column, so substrate choice matters more for its fish-tank compatibility than for plant nutrition.

With fish

Plant-eating fish

safe with plant-eating fish (tough leaves or unpalatable)

Diggers (corydoras, loaches)

may get uprooted by active diggers

Root-disturbing fish

tolerates fish that disturb roots

Habitat

Native to South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay), growing in marshes, river margins, and shallow water. The species (Lilaeopsis brasiliensis) produces grass-like rosettes of narrow, flat leaves from a creeping stolon. Individual leaves are 3–8 cm tall and 2–3 mm wide, with a bright green color. The plant spreads by runners that creep along the substrate surface, producing new rosettes at intervals, eventually forming a grass-like carpet. In the trade, Lilaeopsis is sold as a foreground carpeting plant, though it's less popular than dwarf hairgrass or HC Cuba because it carpets more slowly and less densely. The visual effect is more like a natural meadow than a manicured lawn. The genus Lilaeopsis includes several species; L. brasiliensis is the most commonly sold. L. mauritiana and L. novae-zelandiae are also occasionally available and have similar appearance and requirements. All produce the same grass-like growth pattern from creeping stolons.

Care notes

Moderate care. Benefits from CO2 and moderate to high light for the best carpeting speed and density, but grows (slowly) in low-tech setups. Without CO2, expect a sparse, open carpet that takes many months to fill in. With CO2 and high light, the carpet fills in over 6-10 weeks. Plant small portions from tissue culture cups 2–3 cm apart across the foreground. Rich substrate and root tabs support the root-feeding habit. The plant stays relatively short (3–5 cm) under high light and slightly taller (5–8 cm) under moderate light. Trim the top of the carpet to control height and promote horizontal spreading. Temperature: 18–26°C (tolerates cooler water than most tropical carpeting plants, which makes it useful for unheated tanks in temperate climates). pH 6.0-7.5, soft to moderately hard water. Propagation is automatic via runners. The carpet can be slow to establish but is low-maintenance once filled in. Compared to other carpet plants, Lilaeopsis has a more natural, less manicured look that suits biotope-style aquascapes. Available from aquatic plant retailers as tissue culture cups. Compatible with all community fish, though digging species can uproot the shallow stolon network. Avoid housing with cichlids or large earth-eating geophagus.

Further reading

• How to cycle a fish tank
• Water chemistry for fishkeepers: pH, GH, KH, and what they mean