Baby Tears Dwarf Portion Cup

🌿 Baby Tears Dwarf Portion Cup (Hemianthus micranthemoides or Hemianthus callitrichoides, depending on variety)

Common Names: Baby Tears, Dwarf Baby Tears, Pearl Grass, Cuba (HC), Baby Tears Portion Cup
Type: Carpet/Stem Plant

🔹 Appearance

• Tiny round leaves that grow in dense clusters.
• Creates a lush carpet effect or trailing vines when rooted.
• Bright green, adds softness and texture to aquascapes.

🔹 Care Requirements

• Light: Medium–high (intense light needed for carpet growth).
• Temp: 70–82 °F
• pH: 5.5–7.5
• Placement: Foreground (carpet) or midground (bushy clumps).
• Growth Rate: Moderate–fast with CO₂, slower in low-tech setups.
• CO₂/Ferts: Strongly recommended for Dwarf Baby Tears (HC); regular Baby Tears (HM) can manage without but looks best with added CO₂ and nutrients.

🔹 Benefits

• Creates natural hiding spots for fry and shrimp.
• Produces oxygen bubbles ("pearling") under strong light.
• Perfect for aquascapers seeking a lush, manicured look.

🔹 Propagation

• Trim and replant cuttings into substrate.
• Spreads across the tank floor when given enough light and CO₂.

✨ Fun fact: Dwarf Baby Tears (HC) is one of the smallest aquarium plants in the world and is highly prized in aquascaping competitions for its compact, vibrant carpet.