Want a grass carpet rather than a leafy one? Micro Sword spreads by runner into a fine, low meadow of narrow blades — the closest thing in the hobby to a lawn. It is slower and more demanding than it looks, and it rewards a nutrient substrate more than almost any other carpet.
What You’ll Receive
Choose from our selection of nursery-grown Lilaeopsis brasiliensis:
- Loose Bare Root Plants: Approximately a small clump bare root portion
- Bunched Plants: Small clump bundled with foam and a plant weight
- Potted Plants: Potted in a net pot with rock wool
Plant Profile
- Common name — Micro Sword, Brazilian Micro Sword
- Scientific name — Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
- Origin — South America
- Placement — Foreground
- Shipped size — Small bare-root clump portion
- Mature height — 1–3 in
- Suits — 10 gallons and up
- Growth rate — Medium
Care
- Difficulty — Intermediate
- Light — Medium to high. Light reaching the substrate is what makes it carpet rather than stretch
- CO₂ — Recommended, not required. It carpets faster and denser with it
- Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5
- Substrate — Required. Root feeder — nutrient substrate or root tabs
- Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed in paludariums
- Propagation — Substrate runners
Grower’s Notes
- Separate the portion into small clumps and plant them an inch apart. Planted as one mass it takes far longer to spread, because runners only travel into open substrate.
- Root tabs decide the outcome. In inert gravel Micro Sword survives but never thickens — this is the most common reason a carpet stalls.
- It is slow to start. Expect little visible progress for the first month while it roots, then steady spread. Do not replant it because nothing is happening.
- Some melt after planting is normal; new submersed blades come from the runners rather than the original leaves.
Despite the name, this is not a sword plant. Lilaeopsis is unrelated to Echinodorus (Amazon Swords) or Helanthium (chain swords) — it stays small and carpets, where true swords grow large or spread as rosettes.
Finer blades for a nano tank? See Micro Sword Narrow Leaf.
Want to go deeper? Read our guide to the Best Carpet Plants for Aquariums.
Notes
- Photos are for reference; blade length and density vary considerably with lighting and nutrients. Some initial leaf melt is normal as the plant converts to submersed growth.
- Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
At a glance
- Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
- Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
- Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
- USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
- UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
- Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
- We ship within the United States only.
Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.
The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.
How it works
- Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
- Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
- We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.
Good to know
- Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
- Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
- Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.
The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.
Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.
Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.
Customers praised these aquatic plants for arriving "healthy and beautiful" with excellent coverage. Most reported successful carpeting and quick growth, even in low-tech setups. However, some experienced melting issues initially or upon arrival. Shoppers appreciated generous portions and fast shipping despite occasional delays.
- Spreading quickly and becoming a thick carpet
- Arrived healthy and looks great lots of coverage per pack
- All plants were very healthy and plump
R
I know this plant to strongly prefer intense lighting and CO2, but I wanted to give it a try in my tank with moderate lighting and just soil, no CO2. It arrived green and robust, and most of the plugs are doing well. I had a few parts melt, but they have already grown new leaves. This micro sword was my first choice for a foreground plant in my low-tech set up, and I am happy with what I received from Aquarium Plant Factory.
T
I ordered two potted and was greatly deceive by the pictures. Mine arrived with one pot completely melted. As one of the plants I was highly looking forward to in this order, I'm certainly disappointed.
J
Ordered (40) so with buy 2 get 1 offer, received (60).
Each portion came in an approximately 2x3 plastic bag. All plants were very healthy and plump. Split each portion in 1/2 to fit in my temporary holding device (see pic).
So far after several days, plants still look extremely healthy with zero die-back or melt.
K
Arrived healthy with good roots. Spreading quickly and becoming a thick carpet. Pictures attached of when it was initially planted vs 3 weeks of growth. All plants pictures are from aquarium plants factory. I haven’t received a bad plant from them yet after two large orders.
Z
Plant showed up in perfect condition. Ordered not today!
S
These are healthy and dense. I was surprised at the amount I was sent!
C
I received my order of plants fast, and they arrived very quickly. I am very happy with you product and service.
Thank you
Craig in Houston
D
With all the negative publicity about the USPS, I thought my order would take over a week. Within 4 days I had my order from California to Wisconsin. My plants looked very healthy and were planted immediately. I had watched some YouTube videos on how to separate and plant as you can see in the picture.
This is my fourth time ordering and I continue to be impressed with the quality and speed of service.
L
I ordered this plant and it came to me in NC in about 5 days. It came is great shape. Was able to separate the plant into 3 pieces. Really enjoy this plant.
J
I ordered 1 bunch and got a pretty big piece. Was able to separate into 2 pieces. Great value. 10 stars. Would order again. Watch out for hitchhiking trumpet snails.
E
Arrived green and happy.
e
Good looking healthy plants.
A
Planys arrived well even though package got delayef in shipping
S
They arrived healthy and very quickly. They took a moment to get established in the substrate but they're doing very well and are sending out new shoots already.
J
Arrived healthy and looks great lots of coverage per pack
J
Arrived fine but all withered and melted now. Hopefully they recover and don’t need to be replaced.
J
I ordered this fairly recently and bought the rooted bunch.I was amazed by the quality.I will definitely be buying more in the near future.
E
The plants arrived in great condition and were easy to separate and plant. I have also learned never to use USPS for anything that's alive, because they are always late. I will buy more plants from APF in the future
B
Order came in a very timely manner - all 3 bunches are healthy and have been awesome additions to my carpeting areas. Definitely recommend!
c
Arrived on time and healthy. Will be ordering more in the future.
T
Came faster than expected.
L
Came all healthy and happy, the micro swords are growing good and look great still.
D
Plants came in quick, healthy and very well packed. Will definately purchase more plants from this site. Fairly priced items
P
These plants are adorably packed and super healthy. My fish love it
W
Everything well packed, Clean, healthy looking plants, looking forward to ordering again. Re: Micro sword specifics:Nice portion of well rooted plants. Not so much individual plants as a mat of them, which I like. Very simple to plant a small, full "bunch" or divide out for a large number of starts.
C
not bad
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