Eleocharis vivipara (Umbrella Hair Grass)

Umbrella hair grass (Eleocharis vivipara) is a tall, vibrant green aquatic plant known for its fine, hair-like stems and unique ability to sprout new plantlets from its blade tips. It serves as an ideal background choice for large planted aquariums.

Plant Overview and Care

• Common Name: Umbrella hair grass, sprouting spikerush (Eleocharis vivipara)
• Height: Reaches 12 to 18 inches tall, often folding over at the water's surface to form a soft canopy.
• Placement: Best suited for the background or midground depth in larger freshwater tanks.
• Lighting: Medium to high lighting helps maintain thick, bright growth.
• CO2: Not strictly required, but CO2 injection accelerates growth speed and density.
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast; spreads horizontally via underground runners.

Aquascaping and Propagation

• Propagation: Spreads through sub-surface runners and distinctive plantlets that form directly on the tips of the stems.
• Planting: Divide larger bunches into small portions and space them an inch or two apart in a nutrient-rich substrate.
• Versatility: Can be grown fully submerged underwater or emersed in damp terrariums and Wabi-Kusa setups.