Micranthemum Umbrosum

Giant baby tears (Micranthemum umbrosum) carries pairs of small, almost circular, bright green leaves along soft creeping stems. It is a lighter and fresher green than most stem plants, and it can be used either as a low mounded foreground group or allowed to run upward into a loose midground bush.

Aquarium care

• Stem plant. Plant short stems in several small groups rather than one dense bunch.
• Foreground to midground. Frequent trimming keeps it low and pushes out side shoots.
• Moderate to high light holds the growth tight. Under weak light the stems stretch and the leaves space out.
• Grows noticeably better with CO2 and consistent water column fertilising.
• Propagate by cutting and replanting trimmings, which root readily.
• It will also grow floating at the surface, which is a convenient way to hold cuttings until you need them.

A good fit for aquascapers after a bright green mid-height mass to break up darker leaves, and for anyone who enjoys regular trimming rather than a plant-it-and-leave-it tank. Small schooling fish and dwarf shrimp tanks show it off well.

Stock rotates with each shipment, with local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the micranthemum collection.