Eleocharis Vivipara

🌿 Species Profile

• Common Name: Giant Hairgrass / Tall Hairgrass
• Scientific Name: Eleocharis vivipara
• Plant Type: Grass-like stem/rosette grass plant
• Origin: North & South America
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Placement: Background

🌱 Appearance

• Long, thin, ribbon-like green leaves
• Grows in vertical clumps
• Can form dense grassy walls or flowing background curtains
• Size:
  • Height: 40–100+ cm (16–40+ in)
  • Width: spreads in clusters

When it grows fully, it creates a natural river-grass look.

🧪 Tank Requirements

• Temperature: 20–28°C
• pH: 6.0–7.5
• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water
• Lighting: Medium (higher light = denser growth)
• CO₂: Not required but improves density and color

🌿 Substrate & Nutrition

• Grows rooted in substrate
• Prefers nutrient-rich soil or aquasoil
• Benefits from:
  • Root tabs
  • Iron and micronutrients
• Can also absorb nutrients from water column

✂️ Care Tips

• Trim tall leaves to control height
• Plant in clusters for natural “grass wall” effect
• Avoid shading from large sword plants
• Provide space to wave with water flow

🌱 Propagation

• Spreads through runners and side shoots
• New plantlets form from base and nodes
• Can be divided easily into new clumps

🐟 Aquarium Use

Best for:

• Background grassy forests
• River-style aquascapes
• Natural biotope layouts

Compatible with:

• Tetras
• Rasboras
• Corydoras
• Shrimp
• Small peaceful fish