Hemianthus umbrosum

Hemianthus umbrosum is an easy to grow stem plant that will grow well in a wide range of water conditions, tank parameters, and fertilization schemes. You should provide at least moderate lighting so that the leaves can grow into a rich bright green. It can be grown with or without carbon dioxide and only a little fertilization, but growth improves with these supplements.

Occasionally leaves may turn brown which indicates either poor lighting or insufficient nutrients.  With CO2, growth is denser and more rapid. When it starts to grow quickly, it will consume more nutrients so be sure to dose extra nutrients.

The stems will grow to a height of about 5-20 cm with four tiny round leaves per node.

Propogation:

Propagation is like any ordinary stem plant. It can be cut in half with bottoms left in the substrate to sprout side shoots. The tops can be replanted.

Positioning:

This is a multipurpose plant that can fit in any part of the aquarium. In small aquariums, this plant makes a perfect background or mid-ground plant. The small leaf structure will make the aquarium appear larger than it is. However  in large aquariums and in greater densities it does well in the foreground or mid-ground to accent and fill empty spaces.

Lighting:

A relatively strong lighting of at least 0.5 W/L is required for good growth. A lack of light results in the plant throwing off its lower leaves, or in holey leaves

This plant is best planted in small to medium size clusters, stem by stem, into the substrate. It responds very well to trimming and can be shaped to grow in a lush bush or a manicured mound.  Hemianthus umbrosum is particularly suited to a Nature Aquarium or for a Dutch influenced aquascape.

It is even possible to grow it horizontally to form a dense carpet. High light is needed in order to do this, and regular trimming of the emerging horizontal side shoots.