Eleocharis Plant Guide for Aquascaping – Care & Layout Tips

Eleocharis, is a beloved species in the aquascaping world. Its fine, grassy texture brings a sense of lush, natural realism to planted tanks. But not all Eleocharis species are exactly the same, each has its own look, growth habit, and care requirements.

In this post, we’ll cover the five popular Eleocharis species, pusilla mini, parvula, acicularis, montevidensis, and vivipara—and explore which aquascape styles they suit best, their care needs, whether they require trimming, and how to keep them clean and healthy.

1. Eleocharis pusilla 'Mini'

Best for: Iwagumi and minimalist layouts 
Aquascape role: Foreground carpeting plant
CO₂ requirement: Medium to high
Difficulty: Moderate
Trimming: Possible but be careful not to over-trim, sometimes removing small clumps is best
Flourish Excel safe? Yes, in moderation

This ultra-short variety maxes out around 1–5 cm in height, making it ideal for nano tanks or for creating scale in larger layouts. ‘Mini’ forms dense, green mats when provided with strong lighting and CO₂. Keep algae at bay with a diligent clean-up crew and ensure water flow doesn’t allow debris to collect in the carpet.

2. Eleocharis parvula

Best for: Nature and Iwagumi layouts
Aquascape role: Foreground to midground, depending on tank size
CO₂ requirement: Medium
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Trimming: Occasional, to prevent tangling and yellowing tips, can also benefit from removing small clumps to avoid overcrowding 
Flourish Excel safe? Yes, go easy though!

Parvula grows slightly taller than pusilla (3-10cm) but is still manageable for carpets. It has a slightly arching growth pattern that gives a soft, flowing appearance. Without regular trimming, it can overshadow neighboring plants, so some upkeep is needed.

3. Eleocharis acicularis

Best for: Jungle or nature-style aquascapes
Aquascape role: Foreground or sloping midground carpets
CO₂ requirement: Beneficial but not essential
Difficulty: Easy
Trimming: Light trims
Flourish Excel safe? Yes, though test sensitivity before high doses

Acicularis is a forgiving entry-level species. It grows slightly taller (15–25 cm), making it perfect for gently sloped scapes where a natural, wild look is desired. It spreads via runners and does well in low-tech tanks, although CO₂ will speed up carpet formation.

4. Eleocharis montevidensis

Best for: Island-style layouts or background blending
Aquascape role: Midground to background accent
CO₂ requirement: Optional but recommended
Difficulty: Moderate
Trimming: Do not trim 
Flourish Excel safe? No, we find this more sensitive and can cause melt

Montevidensis can grow quite tall (30-40cm), offering a striking, spiky contrast in backgrounds. It’s not for small tanks, but its visual impact is incredible when planted in groups. Unlike other Eleocharis types, it’s used more for vertical interest than carpet coverage.

5. Eleocharis vivipara

Best for: Biotope or wild-style jungle scapes
Aquascape role: Background grass or dramatic focal point
CO₂ requirement: Recommended for lush growth
Difficulty: Moderate
Trimming: Optional, can be combed to remove small new plantlets 
Flourish Excel safe? Caution: may be sensitive to overdosing

Vivipara is the tall, graceful cousin of the Eleocharis family, reaching up to 30-70cm. It grows curly aerial shoots and propagates through runners and plantlets, giving it a wild and untamed look. It works beautifully in larger tanks with open tops or background plantings.

Eleocharis Size Guide 

General Eleocharis Care Tips

• Substrate: Nutrient-rich substrate (e.g., ADA Amazonia) helps establish root systems.

• Lighting: Medium to high intensity is preferred for carpeting varieties.

• CO₂ Injection: Strongly recommended for ‘mini,’ parvula, and vivipara to thrive.

• Water Flow: Gentle, consistent flow prevents detritus buildup in dense carpets.

• Trimming: Use aquascaping scissors to shape and prevent yellowing or patchiness.

• Clean-up Crew: Shrimp and algae eaters help remove biofilm and excess algae, but avoid heavy digging species that uproot the grass.

⚠️ Using Flourish Excel with Eleocharis

Flourish Excel is generally safe for some Eleocharis species when used as directed. However, be cautious with high doses, especially in low-tech tanks or with sensitive species like vivipara. Always test in small amounts first and monitor plant response.

Clean-Up Crew for Eleocharis: Keep Your Carpet Spotless

A dense carpet of Eleocharis can quickly trap debris, uneaten food, and algae if left unchecked. The right clean-up crew is essential to maintain plant health, water clarity, and visual appeal. Here’s a breakdown of the most effective and compatible species:

Best Clean-Up Crew Options:

• Amano Shrimp – One of the best algae eaters for planted tanks. They actively graze on biofilm and debris without damaging or uprooting Eleocharis. They are small and can balance on thin blades of grass whilst grazing 

• Nerite/clithon Snails – Hardy and peaceful, they clean glass, hardscape, and plant leaves without breeding in freshwater—perfect for algae control.

• Otocinclus Catfish (Otos) – Small, gentle algae grazers that love biofilm and soft algae. Great for mid-sized aquariums with stable parameters.

• Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE) – Useful in larger tanks with fast growth. They help prevent black beard algae and clean among taller grasses like vivipara.

• Cherry Shrimp – While smaller and more delicate than Amanos, they pick through the carpet and add pops of colour. Best in peaceful, shrimp-safe tanks.

💡 Pro Tip:

Combine shrimp with a few Otocinclus or Nerites for a balanced team that handles multiple areas of the tank without conflict or overcrowding.

Final Thoughts

Eleocharis species offer incredible flexibility in aquascaping, from tight carpets to flowing background curtains. Whether you're building a simplistic Iwagumi scape or a chaotic nature-style jungle, there's a variety of Eleocharis that can fit your vision. With the right care, trimming, and support crew, these grassy gems can become the foundation of a stunning planted tank.

ADA Gallery photo taken by Horizon aquatics 

Eleocharis Q&A

Q: Which Eleocharis is best for carpeting in a small tank?
A: Eleocharis pusilla 'Mini' is ideal—it stays very short and forms a tight, low carpet perfect for nano aquascapes.

Q: Do I need CO₂ to grow Eleocharis?
A: Most Eleocharis species benefit greatly from CO₂, especially for dense carpets. Some like acicularis can grow without it but more slowly.

Q: Is Flourish Excel safe for Eleocharis?
A: Yes, but use it cautiously—start with lower doses and monitor, especially with vivipara, which can be more sensitive.

Q: What's the difference between Eleocharis parvula and acicularis?
A: Parvula stays shorter and has a slight arch in its growth, while acicularis grows taller and straighter—better for natural, grassy effects.

Q: Can Eleocharis be grown emersed for dry starts?
A: Yes! All listed Eleocharis species can grow emersed and are great for dry start methods. This helps establish dense carpets before flooding.

Q: How fast does Eleocharis carpet?
A: With CO₂ and good light, carpeting can begin in 3–6 weeks. Without CO₂, growth will be slower—sometimes taking 2–3 months to spread.

Q: What causes Eleocharis to turn yellow or melt?
A: Common causes include poor water flow, lack of nutrients, too much shade, or no CO₂. Make sure lighting is strong and carpets aren’t trapping debris.