Pearlweed | Micranthemum Micranthemoides

Meet the real MVP—Pearlweed! Don't be fooled by its Baby Tears lookalike reputation; Pearlweed is the true star with its leaves shaped like celestial wonders rather than your regular oval Baby Tears style.

Aquatic Versatility: Pearlweed is not your average aquatic wallflower; it's the rockstar that seamlessly transitions from a stellar foreground act to midground glory. This green dynamo is a speedster in Med to High Tech tanks, showing off its growth prowess like it's training for a plant marathon.

Green Goodness Carpet: Want a carpet of green goodness in your tank? Easy peasy. Trim Pearlweed often, and it will transform into a lush, low-lying masterpiece. But if you prefer a wilder look, let it grow tall and proud, reaching heights of up to 12 inches—a vertical spectacle!

Underwater Gardening Made Easy: Planting Pearlweed is a breeze, even for underwater gardening newbies. Stick the stems into the substrate for a grounded vibe or tie them to a rock for some aquascaping flair. This versatile plant has a green thumb, growing both horizontally and vertically based on its mood and the lighting conditions—it's basically the plant version of a chameleon.

Celestial Elegance Unleashed: So, if you're ready to add a touch of celestial elegance to your tank, Pearlweed is your go-to green companion. Get ready for an aquarium transformation that's out of this world!

Appearance:

• Micranthemum Micranthemoides has delicate, bright green leaves that are elliptical in shape with pointed tips.
• The leaves are tiny, typically only a few millimeters long, giving the plant a lush and textured appearance.
• It grows in low, creeping stems that can form dense carpets, mounds, or even cascade down from rocks and driftwood.

Adaptability and Care:

• This plant is relatively undemanding and thrives in a range of water conditions.
• It can tolerate moderate to high lighting but prefers moderate to high CO2 levels for optimal growth.
• It's a fast-growing plant and requires regular pruning to maintain its desired shape and prevent it from becoming leggy.
• Micranthemum Micranthemoides is adaptable to various aquarium sizes and can be used in the foreground, midground, or even background, depending on how you trim and train it.

Benefits:

• Pearlweed adds vibrant color and visual interest to aquascapes.
• Its dense growth provides hiding places for fish fry and shrimp.
• It helps improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients and reducing algae growth.
• Its low-maintenance nature makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced aquascapers.

Best Roommates:

• Staurogyne repens (Foreground to midground)
• Rotala Rotundifolia (Background)
• Anubias Nana Petite (Midground)
• Java Moss (Foreground to midground)
• Cryptocoryne Wendtii (Various species for midground to background)

TLDR:

Scientific Name: Micranthemum Micranthemoides

Also Known As: Pearlweed, Pearl Grass, or Baby Tears

Sold As: Bunched or Potted

Care Level: Easy

Lighting Requirement: Med-High

Co2: Preferred

Growth Rate: Medium

Origin: North America

Tank Placement: Foreground as carpet or mid-ground.