Monte Carlo is the carpet to start with and HC Cuba is the one to work up to. Tropica rates Monte Carlo medium for light, CO2 and difficulty, and HC Cuba high, high and advanced. Tropica’s HC Cuba page even recommends Monte Carlo as the less demanding alternative. Both grow to about 3 to 5 cm.
Side by side
| Monte Carlo | HC Cuba | |
|---|---|---|
| Sold as | Micranthemum tweediei ‘Monte Carlo’ | Micranthemum callitrichoides ‘Cuba’, also sold as Hemianthus callitrichoides or dwarf baby tears |
| Leaves | Compact, round, light green | Millimetre-sized and round |
| Light demand | Medium | High |
| CO2 demand | Medium | High |
| Difficulty | Medium | Advanced |
| Height | 3 to 5+ cm | 3 to 5+ cm |
| Origin | Argentina | Cuba, west of Havana |
Tropica’s own advice
The clearest line comes from Tropica’s HC Cuba page. It lists what HC needs to thrive, which is enough light, added CO2, water circulation and fertiliser, then says that if these conditions are hard to create, you may use Monte Carlo as an alternative, because it is less demanding.
The same page also calls HC Cuba “not a difficult plant” while its difficulty icon reads Advanced. Go by the ratings and the list of conditions. Those are what decide whether it carpets or fails.
What HC Cuba needs
Tropica calls it one of the smallest aquarium plants in the world. Plant it in small clumps a few centimetres apart and, given those conditions, it spreads quickly and covers the bottom. Trim it regularly: Tropica warns that otherwise the lower parts do not get enough light, which causes root death. Our dwarf baby tears page goes into more detail.
What Monte Carlo needs
Monte Carlo can grow in light shadow, Tropica says, but it still needs good light and added CO2 to develop optimally and become really compact. It is the easier plant, not an effortless one. For a carpet without CO2, dwarf hairgrass is the option.
Monte Carlo vs HC Cuba questions
Can you grow HC Cuba without CO2?
Not reliably. Tropica rates its CO2 demand as high and lists added CO2 among the conditions it needs to thrive. If you cannot add CO2, Tropica points you to Monte Carlo instead.
Is Monte Carlo easier than HC Cuba?
Yes. Tropica rates Monte Carlo medium for difficulty and HC Cuba advanced, and describes Monte Carlo as less demanding.
How do you plant HC Cuba?
In small clumps a few centimetres apart, which Tropica says lets it spread and cover the bottom like a carpet. Trim it regularly so light keeps reaching the lower parts.
Sources: Tropica, Micranthemum tweediei ‘Monte Carlo’; Tropica, Micranthemum callitrichoides ‘Cuba’.