Aquascaping has gained immense popularity among aquarium enthusiasts, and one of the most important elements that define a beautiful aquascape is the choice of plants. Carpet plants are a popular choice in aquascaping, covering the substrate in lush, vibrant greens, and creating a visually stunning underwater landscape. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the various types of carpet plants used in aquascaping, their origins, care tips, and how suitable they are for both beginner and experienced aquascapers.
What Are Carpet Plants?
Carpet plants are small, fast-growing plants that spread across the substrate, forming a dense, lush carpet-like effect in your aquarium. They’re often used in aquascapes to cover the ground and create a natural, aesthetically pleasing landscape. These plants thrive in submerged conditions, enhancing the overall health of the aquarium ecosystem by absorbing nutrients and providing shelter for fish and invertebrates.
The Best Carpet Plants for Aquascaping
1. Glossostigma elatinoides (Glosso)
- Origin: Australia
- Care Level: Intermediate
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Light Requirements: High
- CO2 Requirements: Moderate to High
Care Tips:
Glossostigma elatinoides, commonly known as Glosso, is one of the most popular carpet plants in aquascaping. It thrives in nutrient-rich soil and requires a lot of light to spread quickly across the aquarium floor. Glosso forms a dense, low carpet and is perfect for aquascapes with high lighting and CO2 injection. It’s a bit more demanding than other carpet plants, making it ideal for aquascapers who have some experience.
Fun Fact:
In its natural habitat, Glosso forms mats in shallow waters and can spread rapidly when given the proper care.
2. Hemianthus callitrichoides (HC Cuba)
- Origin: Cuba
- Care Level: Intermediate
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Light Requirements: High
- CO2 Requirements: Moderate to High
Care Tips:
HC Cuba is one of the most sought-after carpet plants due to its small, round leaves and dense growth habit. It prefers high light conditions and CO2 supplementation to thrive, so it’s best suited for more experienced aquascapers. With the right care, HC Cuba creates a beautiful carpet that stays relatively low, making it perfect for nano tanks or as a foreground plant in larger aquariums.
Fun Fact:
HC Cuba is often called the “Brazilian Baby Tears” due to its resemblance to the popular Hemianthus callitrichoides species found in South America.
3. Eleocharis acicularis (Dwarf Hairgrass)
- Origin: North America
- Care Level: Easy
- Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
- Light Requirements: Moderate to High
- CO2 Requirements: Low to Moderate
Care Tips:
Dwarf Hairgrass is one of the most beginner-friendly carpet plants. It grows in fine, grassy tufts and can be a great addition to aquascapes that don’t have CO2 injection. While it does benefit from added CO2 and higher lighting, it can still thrive with lower maintenance conditions, making it ideal for beginners who are just starting their aquascaping journey.
Fun Fact:
Dwarf Hairgrass often resembles real grass, adding a natural, meadow-like feel to aquascapes. It’s a great option for mimicking a natural landscape in your aquarium.
4. Utricularia graminifolia (UG)
- Origin: Asia (Japan, Southeast Asia)
- Care Level: Intermediate
- Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
- Light Requirements: High
- CO2 Requirements: Moderate to High
Care Tips:
Utricularia graminifolia (UG) is one of the most sought-after carpet plants due to its fine, grass-like appearance and unique growing pattern. It requires high light and CO2 supplementation to thrive, and will not grow properly without these conditions. UG forms a dense carpet that closely resembles natural grasslands. It’s best suited for more experienced aquascapers, as it needs precise care to establish itself.
Fun Fact:
UG is actually a carnivorous plant, using small underwater bladders to trap and digest tiny organisms like plankton and small invertebrates. This makes it quite fascinating and unique in the world of aquascaping!
5. Micranthemum ‘Monte Carlo’
- Origin: South America
- Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Light Requirements: Moderate to High
- CO2 Requirements: Low to Moderate
Care Tips:
Micranthemum ‘Monte Carlo’ is another excellent carpet plant for beginners who want something that grows a bit faster than other low-maintenance species. With small, round leaves and a beautiful dense green carpet, Monte Carlo is perfect for creating a lush foreground in your aquascape. It thrives under moderate lighting and can do well with or without CO2, although CO2 will encourage faster growth and more vibrant foliage.
Fun Fact:
Monte Carlo is often compared to HC Cuba due to its similar look, but it’s generally easier to grow, making it a fantastic alternative for those new to aquascaping or those with lower-tech setups.
6. Lilaeopsis brasiliensis (Brazilian Micro Sword)
- Origin: Brazil
- Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Light Requirements: Moderate
- CO2 Requirements: Low to Moderate
Care Tips:
Lilaeopsis brasiliensis is a versatile carpet plant with fine, sword-shaped leaves. It’s adaptable to a variety of aquarium setups and can grow well with moderate lighting and without the need for CO2 supplementation. It’s a great choice for beginners who want to achieve a beautiful carpet effect without the complexity of more demanding species.
Fun Fact:
Lilaeopsis brasiliensis is sometimes called “Micro Sword” because its thin, sword-like leaves resemble the blades of a sword.
7. Riccia fluitans (Crystalwort)
- Origin: Worldwide (Native to Europe and Asia)
- Care Level: Easy
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Light Requirements: Moderate to High
- CO2 Requirements: Low to Moderate
Care Tips:
Riccia fluitans is a unique floating carpet plant that can also be anchored to the substrate, rocks, or driftwood using fishing line. It’s easy to care for and grows quickly, making it a great option for beginners. Riccia can spread rapidly across your aquarium floor, creating a bright green, lush carpet.
Fun Fact:
Riccia fluitans is often used in aquascaping competitions for its ability to create a fluffy, three-dimensional carpet that adds texture and depth to the aquascape.
8. Marsilea hirsuta
- Origin: Australia
- Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Light Requirements: Moderate
- CO2 Requirements: Low to Moderate
Care Tips:
Marsilea hirsuta, known for its unique four-leaf clover appearance, is a perfect choice for aquascapers who want to create a dense carpet with a bit of a twist. It’s relatively easy to care for and can thrive in moderate lighting and without CO2 supplementation, making it a solid choice for beginners.
Fun Fact:
Marsilea hirsuta’s clover-like leaves make it stand out from other carpet plants. It’s often chosen for aquascapes with a more natural or wild aesthetic.
Carpet Plants for Beginners vs. Advanced Aquascapers
Best Carpet Plants for Beginners
- Eleocharis acicularis (Dwarf Hairgrass)
- Lilaeopsis brasiliensis (Brazilian Micro Sword)
- Riccia fluitans (Crystalwort)
These plants are easy to care for and don’t require complex setups like CO2 injection or high lighting. They are perfect for aquascapers who are just starting out.
Best Carpet Plants for Intermediate/Advanced Aquascapers
- Glossostigma elatinoides (Glosso)
- Hemianthus callitrichoides (HC Cuba)
- Staurogyne repens
These species require a bit more maintenance, high light, and CO2 supplementation to thrive. They are perfect for those who have gained some experience and want to challenge themselves.
Conclusion
Carpet plants are essential elements in creating beautiful aquascapes, and with so many fantastic species available, you have endless possibilities to explore. Whether you opt for the beginner-friendly Dwarf Hairgrass or the challenging Utricularia graminifolia, each carpet plant offers something unique to your underwater world.
Whether you’re new to aquascaping or a seasoned pro, choosing the right carpet plant depends on your setup, experience, and desired aesthetic. Keep this guide handy as you plan your next aquascaping project, and don’t forget to enjoy the journey of cultivating your perfect underwater paradise.
