{"product_id":"dwarf-baby-tears-hemianthus-callitrichoides-cuba-freshwater-carpet-plant","title":"Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba')","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E8F5E9;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDwarf Baby Tears (\u003cem\u003eHemianthus callitrichoides\u003c\/em\u003e 'Cuba'), often called HC or HC Cuba, is the smallest aquarium carpet plant in the hobby. Each tiny round leaf is barely 2 to 3 mm across, and a happy mat hugs the substrate like a green lawn. This is an advanced plant: high light, pressurized CO2, and a nutrient-rich substrate are what separate a thriving HC carpet from a melted mess. Pair it with our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003efreshwater aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e to complete an aquascape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSold as a potted clump in a rock-wool sponge. Pop the plug out of the pot, peel away the rock wool, separate the mat into small pinches with tweezers, and plant each pinch about half an inch apart into your aquasoil. Within a few weeks the pinches send out runners and knit together into a single carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e High. Without strong PAR at the substrate, HC stretches vertically instead of carpeting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCO2:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pressurized CO2 is strongly recommended. Liquid carbon and root tabs alone rarely produce a true carpet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nutrient-rich planted-tank soil such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-pyroflora-volcanic-substrate-6-lbs\"\u003eCaribSea PyroFlora\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquaforest-lava-soil-black-5l\"\u003eAquaforest Lava Soil\u003c\/a\u003e. Inert sand and gravel make HC much harder to grow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilization:\u003c\/strong\u003e Regular liquid macro and micro fertilizers, plus \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-tabs\"\u003eSeachem Flourish Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e tucked under the carpet area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle, even flow across the foreground. Stagnant zones invite algae on slow-growing leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trim the top of the carpet once it reaches about three quarters of an inch. Trimming forces denser, shorter growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;width:38%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHemianthus callitrichoides\u003c\/em\u003e 'Cuba'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eDwarf Baby Tears, HC, HC Cuba\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eForeground \/ Carpet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 1 to 1.5 in (3 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHigh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eStrongly recommended\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSoft to moderately hard (0 to 10 dKH)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSlow without CO2, medium with\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCuba\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSold as\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePotted clump in rock-wool plug, grown emersed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #C8E6C9;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eTank Mates \u0026amp; Placement\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse HC in the foreground of a high-tech planted tank with peaceful community fish that leave the carpet alone. Small schooling species (neon tetras, ember tetras, chili rasboras, CPDs), pencilfish, otocinclus catfish, and most freshwater shrimp are all good company. Skip diggers and uprooters, goldfish, large cichlids, plecos, and crayfish, since they will tear a young carpet apart before it can establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-pyroflora-volcanic-substrate-6-lbs\"\u003eCaribSea PyroFlora Volcanic Substrate\u003c\/a\u003e — mineral-rich planted-tank soil that HC roots into easily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquaforest-lava-soil-black-5l\"\u003eAquaforest Lava Soil\u003c\/a\u003e — alternative dark planted soil with strong CEC for nutrient delivery.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-flourish-tabs\"\u003eSeachem Flourish Tabs\u003c\/a\u003e — slow-release root tabs to feed the carpet from below.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/icecap-14in-carbon-fiber-aquarium-tweezers\"\u003eIceCap 14-Inch Carbon Fiber Tweezers\u003c\/a\u003e — long aquascaping tweezers make planting tiny HC pinches far easier than fingers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dwarf-hairgrass-eleocharis-parvula-freshwater-carpet-plant\"\u003eDwarf Hairgrass\u003c\/a\u003e — pairs beautifully behind HC for a layered foreground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #2E7D32;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I really need CO2?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFor a true tight carpet, yes. Pressurized CO2 plus high light is the proven combination. Low-tech tanks can keep HC alive but will rarely produce the dense lawn most aquascapers are after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I plant the potted clump?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nRemove the plant from the pot, peel away the rock-wool sponge, rinse the roots, and divide the clump into small pinches with tweezers. Plant each pinch about half an inch deep and half an inch apart across your foreground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are some leaves whiter or floppier when I get it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nHC is grown emersed (above water) at the farm. The emersed leaves often melt back after submersion, and the plant then re-grows submersed-form leaves that are smaller and tighter. A short melt is normal, not a problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long until it carpets?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nWith strong light, CO2, and good nutrients, expect a closed carpet in roughly six to ten weeks from planting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48221680304347,"sku":"FW5-PBATED","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_729fc95e-5b8d-45da-9bee-824fdc38fbf5.png?v=1770237341","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dwarf-baby-tears-hemianthus-callitrichoides-cuba-freshwater-carpet-plant","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}