Source: Wikimedia Commons
Hairgrass
IntermediateEleocharis acicularis
A foreground plant with thin thread-like leaves spreading like a meadow. Spreads by runners creating natural aquascapes.
About
Eleocharis acicularis — commonly called dwarf hairgrass — is a sedge in the family Cyperaceae, distributed widely across temperate to tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its needle-fine, upright leaves spread horizontally via runners to form a close-cropped, lawn-like carpet across the foreground substrate. Adequate light is essential: insufficient illumination causes upward elongation rather than dense lateral spreading. CO2 injection dramatically accelerates both horizontal spread and overall vigor. Fine-grained sandy substrates allow runners to penetrate and spread with particular ease. Broad water-parameter tolerance makes it relatively resilient. Regular 'mowing' — trimming the mat to a uniform height — stimulates the production of new lateral growth and increases carpet density over time, ultimately yielding the flawlessly groomed foreground for which it is celebrated.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Size of the Hairgrass
The Hairgrass grows to 3-15cm.
Basic Info
Origin
Northern Hemisphere, temperate to tropical regions (widely distributed)
Lifespan
Perennial
Size
3-15cm
Temperature
15〜28℃
Watering & Fertilizer
Root tabs, CO2
Growing Tips
Lighting
Needs bright lighting. With enough light and CO2 it forms a lawn-like carpet, while under low light it grows too tall.
CO2 & Fertilizer
CO2 injection greatly speeds up growth. Substrate fertiliser improves rooting and spread.
Substrate & Attachment
Easy to grow in soil, but it also does well in sandy substrates. Runners spread more readily in fine-grained sand.
Grooming
Trimming regularly increases density
Cautions
Adapts well to different water and is fairly hardy. It spreads sideways by runners, so partition off areas where you do not want it.
Hairgrass FAQ
QWhat is the growing difficulty level for Hairgrass?
Intermediate. A variety suitable for intermediate growers. Requires some cultivation experience and knowledge of environment management. Pay careful attention to temperature and humidity control.
QHow large does Hairgrass get?
The mature size of Hairgrass is 3-15cm. This may vary slightly depending on cultivation environment and individual differences.
QHow should I water and fertilize Hairgrass?
Hairgrass: watering & fertilizer — Root tabs, CO2. Aim for appropriate frequency and amount.
QWhat is the typical price for Hairgrass?
The price of Hairgrass varies significantly by variety, characteristics, size, and lineage. Please check GrowerDirect's price guide for the latest market information.
Last updated: August 31, 2026
References & Sources
Taxonomy & Authority
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