Monte Carlo

Care at a glance

Overview

The go-to beginner carpeting plant, planted by separating the mat into small portions and pinning the creeping stems flat against the substrate so they root in and run sideways. It carpets reliably under medium light without CO2 but grows denser, more compact, and noticeably faster with CO2 and a nutrient-rich substrate. The main pitfall is the lower layers detaching and floating up as the carpet thickens, so trim it regularly to keep it thin and well anchored, and remove trimmings promptly since loose pieces will re-root anywhere. Good flow and clean water help it stay green rather than collecting algae or debris.

In the wild

Originates from Argentina in South America, where it grows along the wet margins of streams and seasonally flooded ground. It naturally lives a semi-aquatic life, creeping over damp soil emersed and switching to a submersed habit when water levels rise. This is why it transitions smoothly from emersed-grown nursery stock to a submerged carpet in the aquarium.

Good to know

A small creeping member of the family Linderniaceae with compact round leaves on prostrate stems that root down at the nodes as they spread. It was introduced to the hobby as an unidentified Micranthemum before being matched to the described species Micranthemum tweediei, which is why it still circulates under various provisional names. It is larger-leaved and easier to keep than its close relative Micranthemum sp. 'Cuba' (Hemianthus callitrichoides).

Did you know

It spent years in the trade as a mystery plant simply labeled Micranthemum sp. 'Monte Carlo' after the importer, and only later was it identified as the long-described species Micranthemum tweediei.

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