Dwarf baby tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides): Aquarium Foreground Plants

The Dwarf baby tears plant is also referred to as:

• Hemianthus callitrichoides

• Cuba
• simply the initials HC
• Cuba Dwarf Pearl Herb

Hemianthus callitrichoides is an attractive foreground plant that only grows a few centimeters high and can be grown well in smaller, well-lit aquariums.

The Dwarf baby tear is considered to be one of the smallest aquarium plants in the world.

It has millimeter-small, round leaves that grow crawling over the ground. If it is planted in small bunches a few centimeters apart, it will spread quickly and form a cohesive carpet on the bottom of the aquarium. 

Dwarf baby tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides): Quick facts

Scientific name: Hemianthus callitrichoides ‘Cuba’

Popular names: Cuban pearl herb, Cuba dwarf pearl herb, Hemianthus callitrichoides, Cuba, HC, Cuba Dwarf Pearl Herb

Full botanical name: Hemiánthus callitrichoídes Griseb.

Level of difficulty: medium to hard (it can be demanding for beginners)

Color: light green

Texture: small-leaved, short-leaved

Use: Nano aquarium, foreground group, foreground ground cover

Growth: medium

Carbonate hardness: 0 – 18 ° dKH

Total water hardness: 0 – 30 ° dGH

Propagation: Runners, cuttings, side shoots, branches itself

Can grow immersed? Yes
Natural occurrence: South America (in Cuba, west of Havana)

Height: 3-5cm high and 3-10cm wide
Optimal temperature range: 18-28 ° C 

Light requirement: shade to full sun, very adaptable
pH tolerance: 5.5 – 7.5
optimal water hardness: very soft to hard

Other: Hemianthus callitrichoides ‘Cuba’ is a very small, creeping stem plant. It is very decorative as a foreground plant. In good lighting it spreads crawling quickly. Regular fertilization and the addition of CO2 are recommended. Do not place in aquariums with heavy algae infestation.

Dwarf baby tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides): Habitat

It was found in Cuba, west of Havana.

In order for the Dwarf baby tears (Cuban pearl herb) you need to have:

• Clean water (you have to make weekly water changes to maintain a stable environment for the plant)
• Sufficient light
• CO2 fertilization (although it is not a must)

Dwarf baby tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides): Shape and Color

The Dwarf baby tears plant does not grow much in height. It develops  wide in width and thus creates a dense green carpet of plants.

This dense green carpet is made of cubic pearls which are useful in the aquarium for two reasons:

• They form countless small leaflets that assume a round to slightly elongated shape. They result in a dense growth that offers protection to small aquarium inhabitants.
• Their deep green color refreshes the aquarium and offers a contrast to other plants and inhabitants

Dwarf baby tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides): In the Aquarium

• To get a dense carpet Dwarf baby tears make sure you plant in groups so that the individual plants can more or less combine over time.
• Ensure that leave a little space between the individual plants so that they can take up enough space for their growth striving to the side. If it is planted in small bunches a few centimeters apart, it will spread quickly and form a cohesive carpet at the bottom of the aquarium.
• Carefully transfer the small plants to the substrate making sure not to break the roots off.
• To make it easier to get a dense foreground, plant with grids, stones and other fastening material.
• Tie the plant to decorative objects in the aquarium with a thread. The attachment will become invisible over time as the plant grows.

Dwarf baby tears (Hemianthus callitrichoides): Tip

If the Dwarf baby tears have short roots, they tend to be very difficult to attach to the substrate on the bottom. You can:

• Put a layer of fine powder over the soil (if you use soil) in which the fine roots can hold on better
• Bind the plant completely on a flat little stone. From this fixed anchor it can then anchor your aquarium floor