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Eleocharis montevidensis, commonly known as Giant Hairgrass, is an elegant grass-like aquarium plant valued for its tall, fine green blades and open growth habit. Unlike shorter hairgrass species used for carpeting, this variety produces long, upright stems that add height, movement, and a natural meadow-like texture to planted aquariums.
Its slender foliage allows light and visibility to pass between the blades, helping to create depth without forming a heavy or solid background. This makes it particularly effective when planted in loose groups around rocks, driftwood, or taller stem plants. It can be used as a background feature or positioned in transparent midground clusters to create a stronger sense of perspective within the aquascape.
Eleocharis montevidensis gradually spreads through underground runners, producing new shoots around the original planting area. It is relatively undemanding once established and can be grown without injected CO₂, although consistent nutrients, moderate lighting, and CO₂ supplementation will support faster establishment and denser, healthier growth.
Plant Type: Grass-like Running Plant
Growth Rate: Moderate
Difficulty: Easy
Placement: Midground to Background
Height: Approximately 20–40+ cm
Lighting Requirements: Low to Medium
CO₂ Requirements: Not required, but beneficial
Propagation: Underground runners and plant division
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eleocharis montevidensis |
| Common Name | Giant Hairgrass |
| Family | Cyperaceae |
| Origin | Americas |
| Plant Type | Grass-like Running Plant |
| Placement | Midground to Background |
| Height | Approximately 20–40+ cm |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Lighting | Low to Medium |
| CO₂ | Not required, but beneficial |
| Temperature | 18–28°C |
| pH | 6.0–8.0 |
| Water Hardness | Soft to Hard |
| Propagation | Underground runners and plant division |
| Product Form | Tissue Culture Cup |
This Horizon plant is supplied as an in-vitro tissue culture plant produced under sterile laboratory conditions. Tissue culture plants are supplied free from algae, snails, parasites, and pesticides, making them an excellent choice for planted aquariums and sensitive shrimp setups.
Before planting, carefully remove the plant from the tissue culture cup and thoroughly rinse away all nutrient gel using clean aquarium water. Divide the plant into several small plugs rather than planting the entire portion as one large clump.
Using planting tweezers, insert each portion into the aquarium substrate while keeping the base of the green shoots close to the substrate surface. Space the portions a few centimetres apart to provide room for new runners and shoots to develop. Planting smaller, separated portions will generally produce a more natural and evenly distributed group.
Eleocharis montevidensis develops its strongest growth in aquasoil or another nutrient-rich substrate. When planted in inert gravel or sand, root tabs can provide additional nutrition. CO₂ injection is not essential, but it can improve establishment, runner production, and overall plant density.
Control unwanted spreading by removing or redirecting underground runners. Older, damaged, or excessively long blades can be removed close to the base to maintain a clean appearance. Avoid repeatedly cutting across the upper ends of the blades, as trimmed tips may become yellow or visually uneven.
Some tissue culture portions may experience temporary yellowing or die-back while adapting to submerged aquarium conditions. This is a normal acclimation response. Leave healthy roots and growing points in place, as new submerged growth should emerge once the plant becomes established.
Please note: As this is a living plant, its height, number of shoots, density, colour, and overall appearance may vary slightly from the photographs depending on its stage of development and growing conditions.
