Dwarf Sagittaria (Sagittaria subulata) - Potted

Dwarf Sagittaria (Sagittaria subulata) is the classic grass carpet of the planted-tank world, and still the most forgiving one. Short, strappy green blades spread by underground runners into a genuine lawn, no CO2, no high-tech lighting, no fuss. Plant a dozen plugs, wait a couple of months, and the foreground fills itself in. It is the carpet we recommend to anyone who has watched a demanding carpet plant fail. Browse the rest of our live freshwater plants to finish the aquascape.

Care Guide

• Planting: remove the pot and rock wool, separate into individual plants, and set them an inch or two apart with the crown just above the substrate. Runners handle the rest.
• Feed the roots: a heavy root feeder like most carpet grasses. Root tabs under the patch make the difference between a thin fringe and a thick lawn.
• Light: moderate. Good light keeps blades short and dense; in dim tanks it stretches taller, which some aquascapers actually prefer for a meadow look.
• Water parameters: 68 to 82°F, pH 6.0 to 8.0. It handles hard water and even brackish conditions better than nearly any other carpet.
• Spreading: runners pop up new plants continuously. Trim stray runners to define edges, or let it roam and fill the whole floor.
• Height control: blades usually settle at 3 to 6 inches; you can trim them with scissors like a lawn, though it regrows to its preferred height.

Specifications

Placement & Companions

Run it across the open foreground and let it meet taller plants at the back. For a texture contrast, pair the grassy blades with the round leaves of Monte Carlo or the compact rosettes of Cryptocoryne Lucens. It is safe with shrimp and every community fish, and its tough roots hold up better than most carpets in tanks with digging fish. We also stock other grassy carpets like Micro Sword and Italian Val in store.

Recommended Supplies

• Aquarium Co-Op Easy Root Tabs the carpet essential
• Seachem Flourish comprehensive supplement

FAQ

How long until it carpets?
With root tabs and moderate light, expect noticeable runners in a few weeks and a filled-in foreground in two to three months. Planting more plugs closer together speeds it up considerably.

Do I need CO2?
No. Dwarf Sag is one of the few true carpet plants that spreads reliably in low-tech tanks. CO2 simply makes it faster and denser.

Why are my blades so tall?
Reaching for light. More light shortens them; less light grows a taller meadow. Both look good, so pick the one you want and set the lighting accordingly.

Is it the same as Vallisneria?
No, though they look similar. Val grows much longer, ribbon-like leaves for the background, while Dwarf Sag stays short and carpets the foreground.