How to Plant Hair Grass

Hair grass, also known as Eleocharis parvula, is an aquatic plant that is often grown in freshwater aquariums. It is considered to be a carpet plant, which means that a small section of grass will eventually grow to cover the entire bottom of the aquarium. Once planted, the grass spreads via rhizomes, or runners, that grow from the roots, thus the plant propagates itself. Hair grass is a good habitat for smaller fish that like to hide. The most popular variety of hair grass grown in an aquarium is dwarf hair grass.

Things You'll Need

  • Organic potting soil
  • River sand
  • Bucket
  • Water
  • Hair grass
  • Scissors
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase hair grass at an aquarium supply store. If you want complete coverage of the tank bottom immediately, purchase enough to do so. However, only a small clump is needed, as the plant will spread on its own to eventually cover the entire tank bottom.

    • 2

      Fill the bottom of an aquarium with a 3/10 inch layer of organic soil. Spread it out with your hands so that it is in a thin, even layer.

    • 3

      Place a 1-inch layer of washed river sand on top of the soil and press it down with your fingers into an even layer. To wash the sand, simply place it into a bucket filled with water and stir the sand around. Pour out the water immediately, which will remove any dust and debris.

    • 4

      Use your fingers to gently separate a clump of hair grass that is approximately 1/2-inch thick in diameter.

    • 5

      Dig a 1/2-inch hole into the substrate at the bottom of the aquarium using the fingers of your other hand and insert the clump of hair grass into the hole. Mound the substrate up around the grass roots to hold it in place.

    • 6

      Continue planting clumps of hair grass and space them at 1-inch distances.

    • 7

      Snip off the tops of the hair grass using scissors so that the remaining hair grass is approximately 1 1/2 inches tall. The goal is to remove all of the leaves and foliage from the upper portions of the hair grass.

    • 8

      Make sure the aquarium has bright light that is turned on for the majority of the day.