• Eleocharis acicularis
  • Eleocharis acicularis
  • Potted Dwarf Hairgrass with plant care information on a white background
  • Aquarium setup with grassy foreground and text about Eleocharis acicularis
  • Aquarium with dwarf hairgrass and text about CO2 and low-tech aquariums.
  • Instructions on planting dwarf hairgrass in small groups with a close-up of grass being planted.
  • Scissors trimming grass with text on plant care instructions.
  • Eleocharis acicularis
1 8

Eleocharis acicularis

Fine needle-like hairgrass forming a natural green foreground carpet

£7.99
£7.99
    Quick Facts

    Common name: Hair grass

    Origin: South America

    Position in Aquarium: Foreground

    Grows up to (cm): 15 cm

    Pot Size: 5 cm

    Growth rate: Medium pace
    Description

    Eleocharis acicularis, commonly known as dwarf hairgrass, is one of the most popular foreground carpeting plants in the aquarium hobby. Its fine, needle-like leaves grow in dense tufts that spread via runners to gradually form a natural, grass-like carpet across the aquarium floor.

    It is a practical choice for low-tech aquariums, growing under medium light without CO2 supplementation. Carpeting is slower without CO2 but still achievable with a nutrient-rich substrate and patience. Adding CO2 injection significantly accelerates both growth and lateral spread for those wanting a faster result.

    Supplied as an established potted plant, Eleocharis acicularis suits aquariums from 30 litres upward. It is best planted in small tufts spaced a few centimetres apart across the foreground, allowing the runners to connect and fill in the gaps over time into a seamless grassy carpet.
    Plant Sizes

    You’ll receive a healthy, rooted plant in a pot, similar to those shown. Each one is hand-checked before dispatch.
    Shipping

    Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tracked 24 Service from £4.99, DPD Express from £6.99.
    Eleocharis acicularis
    Potted Dwarf Hairgrass with plant care information on a white background
    Aquarium setup with grassy foreground and text about Eleocharis acicularis
    Aquarium with dwarf hairgrass and text about CO2 and low-tech aquariums.
    Instructions on planting dwarf hairgrass in small groups with a close-up of grass being planted.
    Scissors trimming grass with text on plant care instructions.
    Eleocharis acicularis

    Customers praised this carpeting plant as "healthy" and "beautiful," arriving in "perfect condition" with "excellent packaging." Many noted it's "easy to care for" and "grows well" with proper conditions. Shoppers appreciated generous portions that split into multiple plants. Some mentioned slow growth and algae issues without adequate lighting/CO2. A few reported duck weed contamination.

    • Extremely happy with the healthy, clean and beautifully potted plant
    • Great plants arrived in immaculate condition and look amazing in the tank!
    • Great plants great delivery, superb aquatic plants as always
    • 5 stars: 149 (88%)
    • 4 stars: 17 (10%)
    • 3 stars: 1 (1%)
    • 2 stars: 2 (1%)
    • 1 star: 0 (0%)
    N
    Neil M. (Durham, GB)
    Fit:
    Very bad
    Very good
    Top Quality

    Extremely happy with my plants. Very well packaged and very healthy. Very easy to plant, look brilliant and are growing nicely.

    M
    MISS M. (Bristol, GB)
    Fit:
    Very bad
    Very good
    Extremely happy with the healthy

    Extremely happy with the healthy, clean and beautifully potted plant, thank you

    J
    Joey

    Amazing plant, quite slow growing even with root tabs and plant fertiliser so algae can take over but that’s probably a fault of my own, creates a beautiful scene and adds plenty of hiding for my shrimps and smaller fish.

    J
    J.B.

    Growing nicely

    J
    Jack

    Lots to work with

    Z
    Zoe

    Great plant, delivery arrived as planned, and all contents were in fantastic condition

    P
    Pierre A.
    Amazing company

    Best quality plants to buy online!

    C
    Chris T.
    Great

    Can't really wax lyrical about a plant, but it's great. Turned up on time, well packed, good condition and is thriving in the tank. Thanks

    R
    RICHARD

    Delivered on time and a very healthy carpeting plant.

    C
    Ciaran

    Love it

    A
    Ade T. (Manchester, GB)
    Dwarf Hairgrass

    Great plants arrived in immaculate condition and look amazing in the tank!

    M
    Mark W.
    Review

    Plants arrived in perfect condition, and looking very healthy, they’ve been in my tank just over 1 week and are now starting to throw out small runners.

    M
    Martin L.
    Review

    Quality service

    T
    TERRY S.
    Review

    great plants great delivery whats not to like, superb aquatic plants as always

    M
    Mari L.J.
    Review

    A lovely attractive plant in the aquarium, has a beautiful strong green colour, I would recommend it!

    L
    Lee G.
    Review

    My plants were delivered in a fantastic condition , well packed and no damage , and very healthy , thoroughly recommended this company

    J
    James S.
    Review

    Excellent grass
    I split it up into two and it’s doing very well
    Thanks Jim

    C
    Cassandra P.
    Review

    Arrived in great condition, exactly as shown. Has adapted to my tank quickly. Would purchase again.

    C
    Courtny-Marie H.
    Review

    Amazing little carpeting plant, very easy to care for and is spreading nicely in my low tec tank.

    K
    Karen H.
    Review

    A lovely plant. Growing nicely. Defo recommend for any tank.

    N
    Natalee C.
    Review

    Looks fab in the tank

    T
    Tracey G.
    Review

    Perfect. Packed well. Good instructions. Looking amazing in the aquarium. Would buy from here again

    J
    Jerome D.
    Review

    I broke the grass into several little clumps and it has grown in height and started putting out new shoots as it spreads into a carpet.

    D
    Diogo F.
    Review

    Plants arrived in perfect condition and the leaves were shiny green. Typical top quality from Aquaessentials.

    j
    john s.
    Review

    very please good healthy plants growing well

    C
    Customer
    Review

    As usual all plants I buy from here arrive well packed and in good health. The above plant as taken well in my substrate and is looking good

    k
    kevin B.
    Review

    Lovely little bunches of grass, high quality and are growing really well, they look superb in any aquarium, recommended.

    B
    Brenda N.
    Review

    Very healthy plants - great website & quick delivery!

    J
    James B.
    Review

    We didn't have enough light for these to survive.

    K
    Kevin B.
    Review

    Really pleased with this plant, after 3 days this plant has settled in and growing nicely , fast delivery on an excellent product thank you AQAESSENTIALS

    M
    Mark C.
    Review

    Good strong healthy plant as always.

    K
    Kim H.
    Review

    Great product, apparently very tasty as my goldfish had ripped it all up and eaten it within 3 days.

    k
    karin G.
    Review

    very dissapointed with the size of the plant

    Product FAQs

    Helpful details before you buy.

    Is dwarf hairgrass a good aquarium plant for beginners?

    Yes, dwarf hairgrass aquarium plant is suitable for beginners. It is easy to grow, especially in stable conditions, and is commonly used for carpeting aquariums.

    Does dwarf hairgrass need CO2 to grow?

    Dwarf hairgrass can grow without CO2, but it spreads faster and forms a dense carpet when CO2 is added.

    How do you plant dwarf hairgrass in an aquarium?

    To plant dwarf hairgrass, divide it into small portions and plant them into the substrate with space between each clump. This helps it spread evenly.

    How long does dwarf hairgrass take to carpet?

    Dwarf hairgrass can take a few weeks to several months to form a full carpet, depending on lighting, CO2, and nutrient levels.

    Why is my dwarf hairgrass not spreading?

    Slow growth may be due to low light, lack of nutrients, or no CO2. Improving these conditions will help the plant spread and form a carpet faster.