Eleocharis vivipara umbrella hair grass

Umbrella Hair Grass, Eleocharis vivipara, is a graceful and distinctive aquatic grass native to North America, prized in the aquarium hobby for its unique growth habit — slender, bright green stems that arch outward and produce delicate daughter plants at their tips, creating a cascading, umbrella-like silhouette that adds elegant movement and texture to any planted aquascape. Unlike the more common dwarf hair grass, it grows taller and more loosely, making it ideal as a midground or background accent plant in both low-tech and high-tech setups.

Propagation: Naturally propagates by producing plantlets at the tips of mature stems. Separate and replant daughter plants into the substrate once they have developed roots. Can also be divided at the base.

Care Guide

• Origin: North America
• Light: Medium to High
• Water Parameters: pH 6.0–7.5 | Temp 18–28°C | Soft to moderately hard water
• CO2 Required: No (CO2 improves growth rate and density)
• Fertiliser: Benefits from regular liquid fertiliser and root tabs
• Placement: Midground to Background
• Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
• Max Size: 20–40cm