Hairgrass Dwarf (Eleocharis Acicularis) - Potted

Haigrass Dwarf (Eleocharis Acicularis) | Potted

Dwarf Hairgrass is one of the classic ways to give a planted tank that clean, nature-style “meadow” look. Eleocharis acicularis grows as a cluster of fine, grass-like blades that sway gently in the current and make hardscape lines feel softer and more organic. One of the coolest things about Hairgrass is how much its height responds to your setup: under brighter, stronger light, it tends to stay shorter and tighter, while lower light usually produces a taller, looser look. Either way, it creates that unmistakable grassy texture that makes aquascapes feel alive.

Dwarf Hairgrass Overview

In the aquarium, Hairgrass works best when you think in small, repeated clumps although a single dense mass accross the foreground of tank looks spectacular too. Plant it across the foreground in little clusters with a bit of space between them, and let the runners do the rest. Over time, it spreads outward through runners and gradually knits together into a natural “lawn.” It’s especially effective for framing a rock layout, creating a clean edge around driftwood, or building open negative space that still feels intentional and planted.

Aquarists love Dwarf Hairgrass because it’s excellent for:

• Creating a natural carpet with movement and texture
• Making hardscape pop by giving rocks and wood a soft, grassy border
• Adding depth and scale—fine blades make tanks feel larger
• Building a clean foreground that looks polished but not “perfectly manicured”

Planted thoughtfully and given time to spread, Hairgrass turns open foreground space into a cohesive, high-end aquascape finish. The real magic happens as individual plugs begin sending runners outward, slowly closing the gaps until the foreground reads as one continuous, living surface. That unified “lawn” effect makes even simple layouts feel more refined, especially when you let the carpet run up to rocks and driftwood so everything looks like it grew in naturally over time rather than being placed.

Caring for Hairgrass Dwarf

Dwarf Hairgrass is considered easy to moderate—it’s not fussy once established, but it does want the basics done right. The biggest drivers of success are light, nutrients, and a substrate that supports rooting. A nutrient-rich planted substrate (or a substrate supplemented with root tabs) helps it anchor quickly and push runners faster, while a consistent fertilizer routine supports healthy, bright growth.

Because it grows as a dense grass bed, it’s also worth keeping the area free of debris so the base doesn’t smother. Light vacuuming during water changes (without uprooting) and gentle flow across the carpet help keep it clean. Bottom-dwelling “scavengers” like corydoras can be helpful in larger tanks, since they naturally stir up and move fine debris as they forage—just be mindful in newly planted carpets, where any heavy digging can loosen fresh plugs.

For planting, remove the plant from the pot and split it into small plugs, then use tweezers to plant each plug a short distance apart. That spacing is what allows runners to bridge the gaps and form a uniform lawn instead of a few thick clumps.

• Light: Moderate to Strong
• Temperature Range: 72–82°F
• Placement: Foreground
• CO₂: Not required, but recommended for faster spreading and a tighter carpet
• Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
• Growth Rate: Moderate (faster with CO₂ and nutrient-rich substrate)

For the most natural look, run Hairgrass up to hardscape edges—plant it around Seiryu Stone or Ohko Dragon Rock, and let it creep toward driftwood like Spider Wood, Blackwood, or Driftwood on Slate so the layout feels mature and “grown in.”

Why Choose the Potted Version

Choosing the potted version is a great option if you want a stronger, more stable start—especially when carpeting. Potted Hairgrass typically arrives with a well established root mass, which helps it settle into the substrate faster and reduces the chance of plugs floating up after planting. You can also plant the pot temporarily in the substrate while the plant adjusts, then remove and divide it into smaller plugs once it’s settled (or divide immediately for faster coverage). Many aquascapers like potted plants because they’re easy to handle, less messy, and easier to position during the initial layout phase.

Dwarf Hairgrass is also available bareroot, and we carry many other carpeting plants if you want different textures, leaf sizes, or growth habits.

Shop with Confidence for Aquarium Plants at Modern Aquarium

At Modern Aquarium, each potted Dwarf Hairgrass is inspected and prepared by hand before shipping so you receive a healthy, ready-to-plant specimen.

• Top Quality Store & real reviews: Modern Aquarium has been designated by Google as a Top Quality Store and has thousands of individual verified reviews from real customers, so you can shop with confidence.
• Live Arrival Guarantee & fast delivery: All live plants are backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee and ship via FedEx 2-Day delivery to help ensure healthy arrival.
• Trusted sourcing: Our plants are sourced from some of the best nurseries in Florida and handled with care from the grower to your aquarium.
• What You See Is What You Get: Images on our site are typical representations—because live plants are natural products, individual specimens will vary in size, fullness, and exact coloration.
• Support when you need it: Use the chat feature on our website or give us a call—we’re happy to help with planting, trimming, and getting your carpet to spread evenly.

With smart planting, consistent nutrients, and stable conditions (and optionally CO₂), Dwarf Hairgrass is one of the most rewarding ways to give your aquarium that crisp, professional aquascape finish—especially when you frame it around great hardscape and maintain it with quality tools like our Modern Aquarium 6-Piece Aquascaping Tool Set.