Dwarf Hairgrass (acicularis)

Dwarf Hairgrass (acicularis)

Dwarf Hairgrass, botanically Eleocharis acicularis, is one of the most popular and widely used aquascape foreground plants in the world — a cosmopolitan grass-like species producing fine, emerald-green hair-like leaves that form a dense, natural-looking lawn across the aquarium foreground. Its grass-meadow aesthetic evokes the shallow, sunlit streams and ponds of its natural habitat and creates one of the most classically beautiful foreground effects in the planted aquarium.

Care tip: Dwarf Hairgrass (acicularis) grows best in moderate lighting with CO₂ recommended. Maintain temperatures of 68–78°F and pH 6.0–7.5. Regular fertilization supports healthy growth.

Growing to 2 to 6 inches, Dwarf Hairgrass spreads naturally via runners that creep laterally across the substrate, gradually filling the foreground with an increasingly dense grass carpet. Regular trimming of the tops encourages denser, more compact growth and prevents the plant from growing too tall. Good substrate nutrition and CO₂ supplementation support the fastest, most dense runner production and carpet development.

This moderate plant grows in moderate lighting with CO₂ recommended. The broad temperature range of 68 to 78°F reflects genuine cold tolerance typical of its cosmopolitan distribution across temperate and tropical water bodies. A pH of 6.0 to 7.5 provides comfortable conditions. Root feeding through enriched substrate supports vigorous runner production.

In the aquascape, Dwarf Hairgrass creates the classic, naturalistic grass-meadow foreground that has defined aquascape aesthetics for decades. The fine, hair-like leaves create a carpet of remarkable natural beauty — particularly when swaying gently in the current. It pairs most powerfully with natural hardscape in Iwagumi and nature-style compositions where the grass foreground creates the foundation of the entire layout.

Dwarf Hairgrass is a timeless and universally loved aquascape foreground plant whose natural grass-meadow carpet has inspired aquarists around the world. Its relatively accessible care and iconic aesthetic make it the foundational foreground plant of the aquascaping hobby.

Care & Specifications