Lilaeopsis Brasiliensis - Tropical Aquarium Plant - CloudAqua

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis, commonly called the Brazilian Micro Sword, originates from South America and is prized for its ability to form lush green carpets. Its slender, blade-like leaves mimic a miniature underwater grass meadow, making it highly popular in aquascaping. While growth is relatively slow, with proper light and CO₂, it spreads through runners and eventually forms a dense mat. Its hardiness and aesthetic appeal make it a classic foreground plant for both small and large aquariums.

It is best suited for foreground lawns and carpets, providing a natural, grassy texture. It works beautifully in Iwagumi and Nature-style aquascapes, where it contrasts with rock layouts and fine-leaved background stems.

Separate the micro sword into small clumps and plant them 2 to 3 cm apart to encourage better spreading. It will spread via runners across the substrate. Usage of CO₂ and higher lighting will encourage faster growth. There are 2 ways to trim this plant. The easier but messy way - trim the blades of plant using a wavy scissors to the desired height. This method is easier, but the leaf blades will float around in the water (difficult to remove) and the trimmed leaves might attract algae growth. The harder way - insert the scissors into the substrate to cut and pull away the runners. This method leave less waste organics in the water and is easier to remove and replant trimmed shoots.