Umbrella Hair Grass Aquarium Plant for Flowing Background Cover, Surface Shade and Natural Movement in Planted Tanks

Give a planted aquarium a tall, flowing background using Umbrella Hair Grass (Eleocharis vivipara). Its slender blades rise toward the surface and arch across the water, creating graceful movement while providing shade that fish and shrimp can use.

This freshwater plant suits medium and larger aquariums as a background centerpiece. It can also grow in a nano tank when the tallest blades are trimmed regularly to manage its height and prevent excessive shading.

Key Features

• Tall, slender blades arch near the surface, creating a flowing canopy that adds height and movement to the back of an aquascape.
• The surface canopy provides shade for fish and shrimp, adding useful cover within their planted environment.
• Lateral runners spread into nearby gaps, allowing separate clumps to develop into a more continuous grassy display.
• Tolerance for a wide range of aquarium conditions makes this species approachable for newer keepers while remaining useful in experienced aquascapes.
• Daughter plantlets form at the tips of mature blades and can be separated and planted, offering another practical way to propagate the plant.

Specifications

• Scientific name: Eleocharis vivipara
• Common names: Umbrella Hair Grass, Tall Hairgrass
• Family: Cyperaceae
• Plant type: Tall grass
• Care difficulty: Medium
• Light requirement: Medium to high
• CO2 requirement: Recommended
• Placement: Background
• Height: 10–16+ inches
• Growth rate: Moderate to fast
• pH range: 6.0–7.5
• Temperature range: 68–80°F (20–27°C)
• Origin: Southeastern USA
• Planting spacing: About 1 inch apart
• Propagation: Separate runners or plant daughter plantlets from blade tips long enough to root into substrate safely and establish as new plants in suitable aquarium soil conditions over time with stable water quality parameters maintained consistently daily in

Separate the plant into small clumps, secure the roots in quality aquarium soil, and leave roughly one inch between portions. Maintain stable water parameters and avoid drastic changes that can cause melting. Medium-to-high lighting supports growth, while pressurized CO2 promotes thicker, faster development. Choose a Lead Bunch or 4 Bunches to suit your planting plan.