Micro Sword (Lilaeopsis Brasiliensis)

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis — Micro Sword

A short, grass-like foreground carpet — a manicured green "lawn" for high-light tanks

Micro Sword is a classic foreground carpet plant, prized for the lush, manicured "lawn" effect of its short, grass-like blades. Under bright light, it spreads by sending out runners that root and develop into new plants, gradually knitting together into a dense green meadow across the substrate. It stays naturally short — around 3 inches — and with regular trimming holds a tidy, even carpet that adds wonderful depth and texture to the foreground. Easy to care for and undemanding of CO2, it's a rewarding choice for aquascapers chasing that crisp, grassy lawn look — provided it gets the strong light it loves.

AQUASCAPING TIP: The one thing Micro Sword truly needs is strong light — it's what keeps the plant short, dense, and spreading sideways into a carpet. Separate your portion into small clumps and plant them spaced about an inch apart across the substrate; they'll fill the gaps with runners over time. Trim regularly to keep it low and encourage lateral spread, and be patient early on — it often takes a little while to establish before it takes off.

AT A GLANCE

CARE GUIDE

CUSTOMER QUESTIONS ANSWERED

(Q) Does it really need high light and CO2 to carpet?

= High light is the key — this is the single biggest factor in success with Micro Sword. Under bright, strong lighting, it stays short, grows dense, and spreads sideways into a proper lawn. In low or medium light, it does the opposite: it stretches tall, grows thin and sparse, and won't form a carpet. So if a lawn is your goal, strong light is essential. CO2, on the other hand, is not required — Micro Sword can carpet without it in good light — but adding CO2 noticeably speeds up establishment and gives you a tighter, denser result. Think of it as: high light is a must, CO2 is a helpful bonus.

(Q) How do I plant it, and why is it slow to start spreading?

= Separate your portion into small clumps and plant them spaced about an inch apart, gently pushing the roots into the substrate while leaving the green blades above it. Then comes the patience part: Micro Sword often takes a few weeks to establish its roots before it really starts spreading — so don't be discouraged if it seems to sit still at first. That's completely normal and not a sign of a problem. Once it settles in, it sends out runners that fill the gaps and knit into a carpet. Strong light, a nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs, and (optionally) CO2 all speed this along. Give it time and it will fill in.

(Q) How do I keep it a short, even lawn — and how is it different from Dwarf Hairgrass?

= Regular trimming is what keeps it low and encourages sideways spread rather than height, giving you that even, manicured look — just run scissors across the top whenever it gets a little shaggy, and it grows back denser. As for how it compares to Dwarf Hairgrass, Micro Sword has broader, flatter, shorter blades and forms a tighter, more compact carpet that stays lower, while Dwarf Hairgrass is finer and more needle-like and tends to grow taller. Both make beautiful foreground lawns — Micro Sword is the pick if you want the shortest, most carpet-like result.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 Micro Sword (Lilaeopsis brasiliensis) portion, 2–4 inches, ready to separate into small clumps and plant. It needs strong light to form a carpet and can be slow to establish at first — see the FAQ above. Rinse gently before planting.

Ships within 10–15 business days.