Micranthemum micranthemoides aka Hemianthus, Pearl grass, Miniature baby tears

Other than Glossostigma, this plant must have the smallest leaves, and the most delicate stems. This plant will grow tall and in thick mats. The stems can be cut to keep the plant at whatever height you wish, and replanted to cover a larger area, so if you do not mind frequent pruning, it can be used in the foreground. Requires bright light and CO2. Sensitive to the chemical trypaflavine. Produces numerous side shoots. Will begin to disintegrate quickly if shaded too much by other plants. Light green color provides an interesting contrast.

Cryptocoryne ciliata

As you can see, these plants really fill up a ten gallon aquarium! Ciliata is the most hardy Cryptocoryne. It can prosper in a variety of water conditions, from alkaline to acidic, and even in slightly brackish water as well as a wide pH range. This is a great alternative as a large plant in low light tanks or as an alternative to Sword plants for size and shape. Grows fairly quickly for a cryp once it gets acclimated. I have never heard of anyone experiencing cryp melt with ciliata.

Stem plant with rounded tooth leaves. Moderate to bright light. Takes on a red hue under bright light. The easiest Rotala specie to grow. Native to India. Propagate by cutting.

Grows very easily under moderate to strong light.

The stems can be easily cut and replanted to propagate, however the remaining rooted stem will grow out thinner. If the plant is allowed to grow without being cut, or the cuttings are continually swapped for the rooted portion, the stem will remain thick, sturdy, and branch out. If the light is not bright enough to reach all the way to the bottom of the stem, the lower stem portion will either lose all it's leaves or become sparse and gangly looking. Surrounded by other plants, or with smaller plants in front of it, this may not be objectionable. The pinnate* shaped leaves look almost fern like. In cool water the leaves become smaller and lobate*.

Provide enough light and normal feeding, and this plant is easily grown by anyone and is a perfect plant for a beginner.

* See the Glossary

This is how the plant looks from the nursery. When grown out in the aquarium, the leaves become a little bit more elongated in shape. Leaf growth tends to be more compact at the point closest to the light with log hairy roots coming from the lower stem. This occurs even under bright light. When it reaches the water surface, growth really explodes, and the stems have multiple branches. Becomes dark red under bright light and plenty of iron in the water. This plant is a good indicator if you have sufficient iron supply. Takes 3 to 4 weeks to adapt to a new aquarium before there is much growth. Moderate to bright light.

Green and red varieties. A very prolific grower. Practically from the first day in the aquarium, this plant will grow quickly under bright light, slowly but healthy under moderate light. Propagate by cutting of the stem. Florida cultivated as well as imported.

An extremely useful plant for filling out the middle, back, or corners. At home in hard water and easy to propagate from cuttings. Leaves turn a rich copper red under bright light. The plant has a minty smell. Native to eastern United States. Grows fairly quickly, undemanding.

Adds brilliant red to the aquarium and is very easy to grow under moderate to bright light. From the nursery this plant may have much shorter leaves, and only faint pink on the underside of olive green, however very quickly it will grow out to look like this picture. The leaves grow straight up exposing the underside which turns a bright red.

Smaller bacopa specie, and very easy to grow. Grows quickly under good light.

Grows quickly under bright light, and demands CO2. Will grow into thick mats, sending out runners with new plants. Grows over 20" tall. Brilliant light yellow/green. Wispy stems and thick leaf whorls.