Giant Baby Tears Plant Care

Giant Baby Tears (Micranthemum umbrosum) is a creeping aquatic plant that can be used as a groundcover in aquariums. It should be planted in the foreground of the tank, so the other plants do not hide it. A large tank is better for Giant Baby Tears, because it grows rapidly. Giant Baby Tears is one of the Micranthemum species native to the Southeastern United States. It grows in ditches, small pools and slow-moving streams. The plant stems and leaves grow above water in the summer, but grow under water in the winter.

  1. Description

    • Giant Baby Tears forms a mat of leaves about 1 inch tall. The leaves are bright green, small and tear-shaped. New roots form at the base of the leaves under the growing tip. Pinching the tips will cause the plant to spread quicker. It is a hardy plant that is usually only affected by low light levels, which cause it to grow upright instead of prostrate.

    Buying

    • Giant Baby Tears is available at aquatic plant stores and aquarium supply stores, as well as online. The plants are sold bare root or in mesh pots. Untangling bare root plants may result in broken roots and stems. Bare root plants may be crushed or ruined during transit, while potted plants have protected roots and ship better. Potted plants usually have a more established root system than bare root plants.

    Growing

    • Handle Giant Baby Tears gently to avoid breaking the roots or stems. Separate the roots of bare root plants before planting. Remove pots and wool substrate from potted plants. Plant Giant Baby Tears in the gravel or soil on the bottom of the tank, or in the crevices of rocks or driftwood. Giant Baby Tears need bright light--2 watts per gallon of water is recommended. Plants that do not receive enough light will lose the lower leaves. The stems will become brittle and break off to float to the top nearer the light. Regularly pinch the shoots and elongated growth on Giant Baby Tears to keep the plant compact and tidy. These can be rooted to grow more plants.