Hemianthus micranthemoides

History and origins 

Hemianthus micranthemoides is a beautiful and delicate bright green stem plant with small and compact leaf growth. It grows in the wild in the USA and is endemic to Florida, where it can be found growing in large numbers today. It is often found in small wet pools and stagnant waters, growing in dense carpets of small creeping shoots. It is also known as Hemianthus glomeratus and used to be known as Micranthemum micranthemoides.

Plant Overview 

Hemianthus micranthemoides is an advanced category plant available as a pot and 1-2-Grow cup. To grow well it does require moderate to strong lighting in combination with CO2 injection and good nutrients through its leaves and substrate. In good conditions it forms dense bushes and will produce side shoots that grow slanted or even horizontally. Under lower lighting it grows vertically with longer gaps, known as internodes, between the leaves. Without CO2 injection sometimes the leaves will form greyish white lime deposits through a process known as biogenous decalcification.

Preparing the plant - 1-2-GROW 

1. Peel off the lid from the 1-2-Grow cup.
2. Carefully remove the entire plant from the cup.
3. Place the plant into a bowl of water and wash off the liquid media.
4. Divide the pot into as many plants as you can.
5. Plant into your substrate with aquascaping tweezers.

Preparing the plant - Potted 

1. Remove the plant from the pot then split apart the two halves of rock wool
2. Remove as much of the rock wool as possible.
3. Split the plant into several portions
4. Plant into your substrate with aquascaping tweezers.

Where to use the plant 

Hemianthus micranthemoides is a versatile plant that can be used in the foreground or background depending on the aquarium size and conditions. With stronger lighting its compact growth suits it being planted in dense midground bushes. Over time it can also be grown into a stunning background plant. In smaller aquariums it can also look great as a foreground feature, especially if trimmed appropriately. Its bring green and small leaves provide a great contrast agains darker green or red plants with larger textures. 

Maintaining the plant 

Hemianthus micranthemoides can be a fast grower, especially once established with frequent trimming being required in order to maintain an attractive appearance and to prevent overcrowding. Trim the stem as far down as necessary and new shoots branch out readily. Repeating this process will soon result in a dense mass of stems that will need thinning out regularly. To propagate the plant simply re-plant the stems that have been trimmed with aquascaping tweezers. The plant also spreads by growing roots on its creeping stems. Feed the plant regularly with liquid fertilisers such as Tropica Premium or Specialised Nutrition and ensure you provide it with sufficient light and CO2 to get the best results.

Summary 

Hemianthus micranthemoides is beautiful and versatile stem plant with its compact leaves, bright and lush green appearance suitable for all aquarium sizes. Provide it with appropriate light, CO2 and other nutrients to get the best results and we are sure you will find this plant particularly rewarding.

More details about the plant

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