{"product_id":"lilaepsis","title":"Lilaeopsis","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAbout Lilaeopsis\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLilaeopsis is a popular grass-like aquarium plant that produces narrow, bright green leaves and spreads through runners to form an attractive foreground carpet. It creates a natural meadow effect and is particularly well suited to Nature Aquariums, Iwagumi layouts, shrimp tanks, and community aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOften sold as \u003cstrong\u003eBrazilian Micro Sword\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem\u003eLilaeopsis brasiliensis\u003c\/em\u003e is a hardy and adaptable foreground plant. Its fine, grass-like leaves create excellent contrast against rocks, driftwood, and broader-leaved plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLilaeopsis spreads gradually through underground runners, producing new plantlets that slowly fill open areas of substrate. Good lighting, a nutrient-rich substrate, and consistent water conditions encourage faster and denser growth. CO₂ is not strictly required, but supplementation can significantly improve its ability to form a compact carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the best results, divide the plant into small plugs and plant them a few centimetres apart. As the runners develop, the individual plugs will gradually connect and form a continuous grassy foreground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts dense growth also provides excellent cover for shrimp and shrimplets while creating valuable grazing surfaces for biofilm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardy, natural-looking, and versatile, Lilaeopsis is an excellent choice for aquarists wanting a traditional grass-style foreground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eLilaeopsis brasiliensis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lilaeopsis \/ Brazilian Micro Sword\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e South America\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carpeting \/ Grass Plant\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow to Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Intermediate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to High\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO₂ Required:\u003c\/strong\u003e No (Recommended)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–28°C\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–15 dGH\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foreground\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nature aquariums, Iwagumi layouts, shrimp tanks, nano aquariums, and planted freshwater aquariums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes Lilaeopsis require CO₂?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It can grow without CO₂, but supplementation will generally encourage faster runner production and a denser carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I plant Lilaeopsis?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeparate it into small plugs and plant each section into the substrate, leaving some space between portions. The plant will spread naturally through runners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long does Lilaeopsis take to carpet?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is generally slower to carpet than Monte Carlo or some varieties of Hair Grass. Under good conditions, expect several weeks to months for a dense foreground to develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes Lilaeopsis need strong lighting?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate to high lighting is recommended for compact growth. Insufficient light can cause the leaves to grow taller and more sparsely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Lilaeopsis suitable for shrimp tanks?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Its dense grass-like growth provides shelter for shrimp and shrimplets and creates excellent surfaces for biofilm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting large clumps\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeparate the plant into smaller portions to encourage faster and more even spreading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInsufficient lighting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLow light can cause the leaves to become tall and sparse instead of forming a compact carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting too deeply\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnly the roots should be buried. Keep the crown of the plant above the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoor substrate nutrition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA nutrient-rich substrate encourages stronger roots and runner development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExpecting rapid carpeting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLilaeopsis is a relatively slow-growing foreground plant and requires patience while establishing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48856340856971,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/images_d8007f3e-3515-4789-85fb-7014e1cc97f1.jpg?v=1786334269","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/lilaepsis","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}