Scientific Name: Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
Common Name: Brazilian Micro Sword
Origin: South America (Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay)
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Temperature: 20–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
GH: 2–12 dGH
KH: 1–8 dKH
Moderate to high lighting is recommended.
Strong lighting promotes compact, lawn-like growth.
Under low light, leaves may become taller and less dense.
CO₂ supplementation is recommended for optimal growth.
Encourages faster spreading and denser carpet formation.
Can grow without CO₂, but growth will be slower and less compact.
Benefits from a nutrient-rich substrate.
Requires a steady supply of macro and micronutrients.
Root fertilization supports healthy root development and vigorous growth.
Regular nutrient dosing helps maintain a lush green appearance.
Best suited for the foreground.
Commonly used as a carpeting plant.
Creates a natural grassy meadow effect across the aquarium floor.
Propagated through runners.
Produces daughter plants that spread horizontally across the substrate.
New plantlets can be separated and replanted if desired.
Plant small portions with adequate spacing to encourage even spreading.
Regular trimming helps maintain a neat, carpet-like appearance.
Ensure good lighting reaches the lower portions of the plant.
Stable water parameters and nutrient availability promote healthy growth.
Lilaeopsis brasiliensis is a popular foreground plant known for its fine, grass-like leaves and natural lawn-forming growth habit. It creates a realistic meadow effect that enhances the sense of scale and depth in aquascapes. Widely used in Nature-style, Iwagumi, and biotope aquariums, it provides a soft, natural foreground that complements rocks, driftwood, and larger aquatic plants. With proper care, it gradually develops into a dense green carpet that adds elegance and realism to any planted aquarium.
