Pearl Weed

• Scientific Name: Hemianthus micranthemoides
• Native To: North America
• Skill Level: Easy
• Placement: Midground to background
• Recommended Light: Medium Light 20-35 PAR (click to see our PAR chart)
  
• CO₂ Requirement: None
• Preferred Fertilizer: Easy Green liquid fertilizer
• Propagation: Trim stems and replant

***Being a natural product, sizes can vary from what is shown.***

How to Plant Pearl Weed in Aquarium

1. Remove the potted plant from plastic basket, and split the rock wool in half.
2. Carefully remove the plant roots from the rock wool, and make sure to remove all the small, yellow fertilizer balls. Wash off any remaining debris.
3. Because the roots are weak, we recommend planting pearl weed in the pot, such that the pot is entirely buried in the ground. Then it can creep laterally and grow upwards once it is done converting to its underwater growth form.
4. If you choose to individually plant the stems, consider planting them in bunches with some space in between so that the stems can get plenty of light and the roots have some room to grow. If the bunch keeps popping out of the ground, try inserting the bunch at an angle or wrap a plant weight at the bottom of the stem to keep them anchored. 

How to Grow Pearl Weed

— Pearl weed care is very easy, so start by using medium lighting between 20-35 PAR to prevent "leggy" stems (where the bottom portion of the plant starts dropping leaves). 
— Why is my pearl weed turning yellow or brown? If your stem plant is getting enough light, it may be a nutrient deficiency, so measure the nitrate level using a multi-test strip. Dose with Easy Green all-in-one fertilizer until the water has 20-50 ppm nitrate. 
— How to trim pearl weed: If the plant is too tall or the bottom half of the stem has lost its leaves, prune off the top portion and replant it.

How to Propagate Pearl Weed

— Stem plants can be easily propagated by trimming off the top half of the plant and replanting it in another location. The original plant will continue growing upwards from where it was cut and may even create multiple branches.
— To create a pearl weed carpet, plant small bunches of the trimmings with a 1-inch gap between each bunch. Make sure the plants are undisturbed by bottom dwellers until they grow firm roots. Keep the tops of the plants frequently pruned so that the lower leaves get enough light. With enough light and nutrients, you will have enough plant trimmings to cover the whole ground.