Plant guide
Aquarium carpet plants
Carpet plants form a dense ground cover across the substrate. Most require high light, pressurised CO2, and a nutrient-rich substrate to spread laterally — without these, they grow slowly upward instead of outward and look sparse. Dwarf Hairgrass is the more forgiving option; Monte Carlo is more compact and lower-growing but demands brighter conditions.
2 carpet species in the library. Most still want richer light and substrate than a basic hood.
How to read this list
Carpets fail more from substrate and CO2 than from species choice. Without a nutrient base and enough light they grow upward as lonely stems. Read each profile before you buy a “carpet kit” for a low-tech tank.
Dwarf Hairgrass
Eleocharis parvula
mediummedium lightNo CO2
Plant individual plugs in fine substrate; it will take several weeks to spread. Without CO2, lower expectations on coverage speed. Trim to a few centimetres to encourage lateral growth. Compatible with shrimp, which help clean detritus from the carpet.
Monte Carlo
Micranthemum tweediei
mediummedium lightNo CO2
Plant small portions flat against the substrate, pinned if necessary, in fine nutrient-rich substrate. Trim occasionally to keep the carpet dense rather than tall. Compatible with most shrimp species.
Plan the hardscape next
Shortlist plants here, then set litres and livestock in the builder before you buy.
Need filtration context for a planted tank? See the filter size guide.
Other plant guides
Easy beginner aquarium plantsLow-light aquarium plantsPlants for shrimp tanksPlants that grow without CO2Fast-growing aquarium plants
Aquarium carpet plants — quick answers
- What does the “Aquarium carpet plants” list include?
- 2 carpet species in the library. Most still want richer light and substrate than a basic hood.
- How should I use this plant list before buying?
- Treat it as a shortlist from structured library fields, not a buy list. Open each profile for light, CO2, and placement, then plan hardscape and filtration before you add livestock.
- Which plants appear on this guide right now?
- Examples currently matching include Dwarf Hairgrass, Monte Carlo. Counts change as the library grows.