Description
Eleocharis vivipara ‘Umbrella Hairgrass’ – Live Aquarium Plant in Pot
Add graceful height and natural movement to your aquascape with Eleocharis vivipara ‘Umbrella Hairgrass’ — a unique live aquarium plant featuring long, flowing grass-like leaves that sway beautifully with water movement. Its elegant, upright silhouette creates depth, texture, and a striking natural background in freshwater planted aquariums.
Unlike traditional hairgrass species, Umbrella Hairgrass grows tall and produces distinctive plantlets along its leaves — creating a lush, layered underwater display that fills out naturally over time. The fine foliage provides excellent shelter and cover for shrimp, fry, and small fish, adding both aesthetic and practical value to any planted setup.
Fast-growing under suitable conditions, Umbrella Hairgrass is a rewarding background plant for aquascapers of all experience levels — from beginners creating their first planted layout to experienced aquarists building detailed nature-style aquascapes.
Key Features
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Tall, flowing grass-like foliage: Long, upright leaves sway with water movement — adds natural texture, height, and depth to aquascapes
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Produces plantlets naturally: Distinctive plantlets form along the leaves — self-propagating plant that fills in and spreads over time
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Background placement: Ideal for the rear of the aquarium where its height can be appreciated without blocking other plants
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Provides shelter and cover: Fine foliage creates natural hiding spots for shrimp, fry, and small fish
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Fast growing under suitable conditions: Moderate to fast growth rate with adequate lighting
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CO₂ optional: Grows without CO₂ injection, though supplementation supports faster, lusher growth
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Easy to moderate care level: Manageable for beginners and rewarding for experienced aquarists
Plant Care Guide
| Parameter |
Details |
| Scientific Name |
Eleocharis vivipara |
| Common Name |
Umbrella Hairgrass |
| Plant Type |
Live freshwater aquarium plant |
| Placement |
Background |
| Growth Rate |
Moderate to Fast |
| Difficulty |
Easy to Moderate |
| Lighting |
Moderate to High |
| CO₂ |
Optional but beneficial |
| Growth Habit |
Tall grass-like plant |
How to Plant
- Remove the plant from the pot and gently separate into smaller sections
- Space sections apart in the substrate to allow for natural spreading and growth
- Plant into the rear of the aquarium for best effect
- Trim regularly to maintain desired height and a tidy appearance
Suitable For: Planted aquariums, aquascapes, shrimp tanks, community aquariums, nature-style layouts, and larger freshwater tanks.
