Aquarium plant

Pearlweed

Pearlweed (Hemianthus micranthemoides) aquarium plant care.

Pearlweed TL;DR

Light: medium · CO2: optional · Difficulty: beginner.

Pearlweed (Hemianthus micranthemoides) is a popular aquarium plant.

What lighting does Pearlweed need?

Target medium lighting. PAR: 30-60.

Is CO2 required for Pearlweed?

CO2 optional.

What substrate and nutrients does Pearlweed need?

Tolerates inert substrate with occasional root tabs.

How is Pearlweed propagated?

Cut healthy stems and replant.

Where to buy

Browse Pearlweed from vetted Fast Aquatics plant vendors.

Pearlweed FAQ

How much light does Pearlweed need?

Pearlweed is rated as a medium-light plant, with a target of about PAR 30-60 at the leaves. Medium light is roughly what a mid-range planted-tank LED delivers over a standard-depth tank; going brighter without more CO2 and fertilizer usually shows up as algae rather than faster growth. CO2 is optional for it, and its care difficulty is listed as beginner.

Does Pearlweed need CO2?

No, CO2 is optional for Pearlweed. It grows without injection, and adding CO2 mainly speeds up growth. It is a medium-light plant, with a target of about PAR 30-60 at the leaves. Keep light, CO2 and fertilizer in balance, because raising one without the others is the most common cause of algae in planted tanks.

How do you propagate Pearlweed?

Cut healthy stems and replant. Trim stems just above a leaf node, push the cut tops into the substrate, and the trimmed base will usually branch and regrow. New growth comes in fastest when the tank matches its needs: medium light, with CO2 optional.

Is Pearlweed beginner-friendly?

Yes. Pearlweed is listed at beginner difficulty. It needs medium light, with a target of about PAR 30-60 at the leaves, CO2 is optional. Stable light, nutrients and water changes matter more than any single product. Check these needs against your current setup before buying.

Sources and references

Pearlweed taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.

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