Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba'

Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba' originates from a single spring location in Cuba and bears the smallest leaves of any vascular aquarium plant, each barely one millimetre across. In high-light, CO2-injected tanks it spreads laterally via creeping stems, forming a continuous bright-green mat just 1–3 cm tall that creates stunning depth illusions through perspective planting. It demands bright, even light penetration all the way to the substrate, making it unsuitable for tanks with shading from floating plants or tall foreground objects.

Light: High (>60 PAR at substrate); uneven light causes patchy growth. CO2: Required; 20–30 mg/l ensures compact lateral spread rather than vertical reaching. Planting: Divide tissue-culture cups into tiny 1 cm plugs and plant 1–2 cm apart in fine substrate. Maintenance: Trim with scissors every 2–3 weeks to maintain a flat lawn; remove clippings promptly. Note: A nutrient-rich substrate (e.g., ADA Amazonia) dramatically improves establishment speed.