{"product_id":"h-c-cuba","title":"H.C Cuba","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAbout H.C. Cuba\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH.C. Cuba (\u003cem\u003eHemianthus callitrichoides\u003c\/em\u003e 'Cuba') is one of the most iconic and sought-after carpeting plants in the aquascaping hobby. Famous for its tiny, vibrant green leaves and dense, lush carpet, it is widely regarded as one of the finest foreground plants for Nature Aquariums, Iwagumi layouts, and competition-style aquascapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally discovered growing on limestone rocks near Las Pozas, Cuba, this delicate plant forms a tight, low-growing carpet that creates the illusion of a miniature underwater lawn. Under strong lighting and stable CO₂ injection, H.C. Cuba spreads rapidly by producing horizontal runners, eventually covering the foreground with a thick, vibrant green mat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts compact growth provides excellent shelter for shrimp, shrimplets, and microfauna while creating a stunning contrast with rocks, driftwood, and taller background plants. Due to its small leaf size and exceptional visual impact, H.C. Cuba remains a favourite among professional aquascapers worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH.C. Cuba performs best in nutrient-rich aquasoils with high lighting, stable CO₂ injection, and regular fertilisation. While it can be grown without CO₂, growth will be significantly slower and maintaining a dense carpet becomes much more challenging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElegant, vibrant, and highly rewarding, H.C. Cuba is the ultimate carpeting plant for premium planted aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHemianthus callitrichoides\u003c\/em\u003e 'Cuba'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH.C. Cuba\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOrigin\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCuba\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Type\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarpeting Plant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate to Fast (with CO₂)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntermediate to Advanced\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLighting\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCO₂ Required\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes (Highly Recommended)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTemperature\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e20–28°C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003epH\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5.5–7.5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWater Hardness\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1–10 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePlacement\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForeground\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNature aquariums, Iwagumi layouts, Dutch aquascapes, shrimp tanks, nano aquariums, and high-tech planted aquariums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes H.C. Cuba require CO₂?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the best results, yes. H.C. Cuba performs significantly better with stable CO₂ injection, producing a dense, healthy carpet with rapid horizontal growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs H.C. Cuba difficult to grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is considered an intermediate to advanced plant. While not impossible for beginners, it requires strong lighting, nutrient-rich substrate, and stable CO₂ to achieve its signature carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I plant H.C. Cuba?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeparate the plant into small plugs and plant each section a few centimetres apart using aquascaping tweezers. The plant will spread naturally by producing runners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long does it take to form a carpet?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder ideal conditions, H.C. Cuba typically begins spreading within a few weeks and can form a dense carpet in approximately \u003cstrong\u003e6–12 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e, depending on lighting, CO₂, and fertilisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs H.C. Cuba suitable for shrimp tanks?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely. Its dense carpet provides excellent grazing surfaces for biofilm and offers ideal shelter for shrimplets and other small aquarium inhabitants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eInsufficient CO₂\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLow or unstable CO₂ is one of the most common reasons for poor growth, melting, and algae development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWeak lighting\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH.C. Cuba requires high lighting to remain compact. Low light often results in sparse, upward growth instead of a dense carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePlanting large clumps\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlways divide tissue culture or potted plants into small portions before planting. This encourages faster spreading and more even carpet formation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePoor nutrient availability\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse a quality nutrient-rich aquasoil and maintain a regular fertilisation schedule to support healthy growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNeglecting trimming\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce established, occasional trimming keeps the carpet dense, healthy, and prevents lower layers from deteriorating.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48856341053579,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/99Rewj8ugVJlYlF9-x2eYZhbMXLDNaFkYwmEte2XPpASsQQF1D84B6O_T3VJePvZ7UEVCjh_w3MBcm7wM4eSlQOlF641MIL3k4CYIywY9pixI1E5BLzC93aKG6UwJnYFimaBjN190nzxH96IICj-385e6vPc7zDaiaCLnpVF5oiRimVogmIqREw.jpg?v=1786100142","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/h-c-cuba","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}