Eleocharis parvula

Eleocharis parvula (common name hairgrass or dwarf hairgrass) is a well-liked carpeting plant. It allows for the easiest way to imitate a lawn-like effect in the aquarium. The leaf size is normally around 4-6 cm but can reach up to 10 cm. The leaf is very thin hair-like. It belongs to the rosette aquarium plants. A great foreground plant that can be also suited as the background plant in Iwagumi and nano aquascapes.

Eleocharis parvula is the most demanding among other carpeting plants like Glossostigma, Hemianthus callitrichoides, Lilaeopsis or Marsilea. Especially in freshly started aquariums, which are usually suffering from algae problems due to the lack of balance. Eleocharis parvula doesn't like being fouled by algae due to the size of its leaves. Even small amount of algae established on the thin leaves of Eleocharis can be enough to prevent it from getting the nutrients and wither away. The problem becomes even more complex because of the fact that Eleocharis needs approximately 1-2 weeks to establish itself in the aquarium after planting. Only after that it starts to grow very fast without any problems. Therefore, it's better to avoid using Eleocharis during the start-up of the aquarium. But once the balance is established, it acts as a very undemanding plant. Sustainable growth is achieved by maintaining CO2 concentration of 10-15 mg per liter and by proper fertilization.

Special care should be taken during the trimming of Eleocharis parvula. Roots should be trimmed along with its leaves. Trimming of the roots is necessary in order to avoid excessive thickening of the root system. Otherwise, with time the roots can get too thick, adding 2-3 cm to the total height of the plant while visually increasing the substrate layer at the front of the aquarium glass. That is not acceptable in any aquascape. Trimming of Eleocharis parvula can be done in two ways and each of them has its purpose. To promote the growth of the whole lawn, the leaves should be cut near the roots, leaving only 2 cm of its length. After such trimming Eleocharis produces a lot of runners making the lawn more dense. But you should never do this right after planting since it only deepens the stress of Eleocharis parvula and doesn't promote the growth of new runners.

More delicate trimming – thinning, is required to maintain the height of the lawn between 4-6 cm. Thinning should be done while holding the scissors almost vertically. Thus the cutting lines will not be noticeable and the lawn will keep its aesthetic look. Without such trimming, Eleocharis can reach a height of 10 cm.