Tici In Vitro Aquatic Plant - Hemianthus Micranthemoides

Hemianthus micranthemoides is a fine-leaf freshwater stem plant widely used in planted aquariums. It is commonly called Pearl Weed and is valued for its bright green color, tiny leaves, and ability to form dense bushes or carpets when trimmed.

It is popular in Dutch-style and nature aquascapes because it can be shaped into hedges, bushes, or low carpets.

Basic Information

• Scientific name: Hemianthus micranthemoides

• Common names: Pearl Weed, Micranthemum Pearl Weed

• Plant type: Stem plant

• Family: Linderniaceae

• Origin: North America (USA)

• Placement: Foreground, midground, or background depending on trimming

Appearance

• Leaf size: Very small (1–3 mm)

• Leaf shape: Narrow oval leaves growing in pairs

• Color: Bright light green

• Stem: Thin and delicate

• Height: 5–30 cm depending on trimming

Under strong light it grows compact and bushy, while under weaker light it becomes taller and more vertical.

Growth Requirements

Lighting

• Low–Medium light: plant survives but grows upward

• Medium–High light: compact bushy growth

Higher light allows the plant to be used as a foreground carpet plant.

CO₂

• Optional but beneficial

With CO₂ injection:

• faster growth

• denser leaves

• better carpeting ability

Without CO₂ it still grows well in many low-tech aquariums.

Nutrients

This plant absorbs nutrients mainly from the water column.

Important nutrients:

• Nitrate (NO₃)

• Phosphate (PO₄)

• Potassium (K)

• Iron and trace elements

Regular liquid fertilization keeps the plant healthy.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 20–28 °C

• pH: 5.5–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

It is considered very adaptable to different aquarium conditions.

Growth Rate

• Fast-growing

It can grow 4–6 cm per week in good conditions.
Frequent trimming is needed to prevent overgrowth.

Propagation

Propagation is very easy.

Steps:

1. Trim the stems with aquascaping scissors.

2. Cut the stem into small sections if needed.

3. Replant the cuttings into the substrate.

Each cutting will grow into a new plant.

Aquascaping Uses

Aquascapers use this plant in several ways:

1. Foreground carpet (with strong light)
2. Midground bush
3. Background hedge in Dutch aquariums

It pairs well with carpet plants like:

• Hemianthus callitrichoides

• Micranthemum tweediei

and red plants such as:

• Rotala rotundifolia

• Alternanthera reineckii

Common Problems

Leggy growth

• Cause: insufficient light.

Yellow leaves

• Cause: nutrient deficiency (often nitrogen).

Algae on leaves

• Cause: poor water circulation or unstable CO₂.

Why Aquascapers Like It

• Beginner-friendly plant

• Fast growth helps control algae

• Easy to trim and shape

• Can form beautiful green hedges

✅ Aquascaping tip:
Trim the plant very short (3–5 cm) and replant the tops. After several trims it forms a dense, bright-green cushion that looks like a mini hedge in the aquarium.