- Sku: 8805530
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis)
Your order is reserved — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.
Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis) is the classic carpeting plant for a lush, grassy foreground. Its thin, bright-green blades spread by runners to form a dense lawn, giving any aquascape that natural "meadow" look. It is a beginner-friendly to intermediate plant — easy to keep alive, while a thick, even carpet rewards stronger light and CO2.
Pair it with the rest of our live freshwater plants to design a complete planted tank.
Care Guide
Lighting: Medium to high light keeps the carpet low and compact. In low light it tends to grow tall and leggy instead of carpeting.
CO2 & nutrients: CO2 is optional but strongly recommended for a fast, dense carpet — without it the lawn still fills in, just more slowly. Dwarf Hairgrass is primarily a root feeder, so plant it in a nutrient-rich substrate such as CaribSea PyroFlora volcanic plant soil or Aquaforest Lava Soil for the best growth.
Planting: Separate the pot into small clusters (a few blades each) and plant them 2–4 cm apart across the foreground. Smaller plugs spread faster and more evenly than large clumps. Trim the tops regularly to keep it short and encourage thick new growth.
Water: Tolerant of a wide temperature range (it even does well in coldwater tanks). Keep parameters stable and match the plant's pH to your tank to avoid melt during transition.
Specifications
| Common Name | Dwarf Hairgrass |
| Scientific Name | Eleocharis acicularis |
| Plant Type | Carpeting / foreground |
| Care Level | Beginner–Intermediate |
| Lighting | Medium–High |
| CO2 | Optional (recommended for dense carpet) |
| Substrate | Nutrient-rich / root feeder |
| Temperature | 50–83°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Placement | Foreground / carpet |
| Growth Rate | Medium |
| Propagation | Spreads by runners |
Aquascaping & Companions
Dwarf Hairgrass is a foreground staple in nature-style and iwagumi aquascapes. Pair it with midground plants like Hygrophila Pinnatifida or a specimen plant such as Eriocaulon sp. Vietnam for depth. The carpet is a favorite grazing ground for dwarf Neocaridina shrimp and is safe with peaceful community fish, nerite snails, and other invertebrates.
Recommended Supplies
- CaribSea PyroFlora Volcanic Substrate — mineral-rich planted-tank soil for strong root growth
- Aquaforest Lava Soil — lightweight planted base layer
- Dwarf Neocaridina Shrimp — natural cleanup crew that loves a carpet
- Browse all freshwater invertebrates and freshwater livestock & supplies
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need CO2 to grow Dwarf Hairgrass?
No — it will grow without CO2, but a carpet fills in much faster and stays denser with CO2 and strong light.
Why is my hairgrass growing tall instead of carpeting?
That usually means the light is too low. Increase lighting and trim the tops to encourage horizontal, compact growth.
How do I plant it for the best carpet?
Split into small clusters and plant them a couple centimeters apart. They'll spread by runners and knit together into a lawn.
Is it safe with shrimp and snails?
Yes — it's completely safe for shrimp, nerite snails, and peaceful community fish, and shrimp love grazing on it.
Have a question?
Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis)
