The Baby Tears (Micranthemum Umbrosum) are a real eye-catcher in any aquarium and looks fantastically in the front or middle part of the tank. Once planted, it will look similar to a beautiful field of clovers that's underwater. However, this delicate plant shouldn't be underestimated, as they can be quite demanding in terms of lighting and care.
For whom are the Baby Tears suited?
The Baby Tears are perfect for aquarium keepers have already been at it for a while, looking for a slightly more challenging plant. While these aren't the most difficult plants to take care of, they do have rather specific lighting requirements, but they beautiful, vibrant green colours certainly make it worth it.
What are they like?
Micranthemum umbrosum is light-hungry but otherwise undemanding. Aquarists love the Baby Tears, primarily because of its bright green colour, which stands out beautifully from other species. It can be used for a wide range of applications and decoration, making it suitable for all types of aquaria, but it will not survive for long in perch tanks. With increasing light intensity, the growth becomes flatter. The plant reacts relatively quickly to inadequate lighting with holes in the leaves, and the stems become brittle. If the shoots do not receive enough light at the base, they become glabrous and can also break.
The ideal conditions for Baby Tears
Under the right conditions, Baby Tears will grow rapidly. They require lots of light to grow adequately, but other than that, they can be rather forgiving. They thrive at temperatures between 20 °C – 26 °C and can grow in both slightly acidic and alkaline waters. They can also grow just fine in both hard and soft water, as long as the water is clean.
*All Plants may contain snails or snail eggs. We keep them in all of our tanks for the benefits they provide.*