Monte Carlo (Micranthemum tweediei) is a low carpet plant from Argentina with compact, round, light green leaves on creeping stalks. Tropica rates it medium difficulty, with a medium demand for light and CO₂, which puts it between easy dwarf hairgrass and advanced HC Cuba.
What it needs
- Latin name: Micranthemum tweediei
- Type: carpet / foreground
- Light demand: medium
- CO₂ demand: medium
- Difficulty: medium
- Growth rate: medium
Growing Monte Carlo
Plant small portions spaced out across the substrate rather than one clump. Tropica describes it as a fast-growing carpet for the front of the aquarium. Tropica also suggests it as the less demanding alternative to HC Cuba, although it is rated harder than dwarf hairgrass. For the full comparison, see our carpet plants guide.
Getting it to carpet
The two levers are light and CO₂. Tropica says the plant can grow in light shadow, but that it requires good light and added CO₂ to develop optimally and become really compact. Without them, expect a looser carpet.
Monte Carlo questions
Is Monte Carlo good for beginners?
It is a middle step. Tropica rates it medium difficulty, while dwarf hairgrass is rated easy, so hairgrass is the gentler first carpet. Monte Carlo is the less demanding choice if you are weighing it against HC Cuba.
Does Monte Carlo need CO₂?
For a compact carpet, yes. Tropica rates its demand as medium and says it needs added CO₂, along with good light, to become really compact.
Monte Carlo or dwarf baby tears?
Monte Carlo is less demanding. Dwarf baby tears (HC Cuba) gives a finer carpet but Tropica rates it advanced. Between the two, Monte Carlo is the safer choice, and dwarf hairgrass is easier still.
Sources: Tropica, Micranthemum tweediei 'Monte Carlo'; Tropica, Micranthemum callitrichoides 'Cuba'; Tropica, Eleocharis acicularis.