Micro Sword Narrow Leaf is the finest-bladed of the Lilaeopsis carpets. Where the standard micro sword reads as short grass, this one reads as fine turf — thin, upright blades that spread by runner into a low meadow with a much more delicate scale.
What You'll Receive
Choose the format that best suits your planting style:
- Bare-root Plants — Small loose clusters, ideal for direct planting and precise spacing across the foreground.
- Rooted Bunched Plants — Healthy rooted stems tied with weight for fast anchoring and easy placement.
- Rooted Potted Plants — Fully rooted plants grown in rockwool, the easiest to plant and fastest to establish.
Plant Profile
- Common name — Narrow Leaf Micro Sword
- Scientific name — Lilaeopsis mauritiana
- Also known as — Micro Sword Narrow Leaf, Mauritius Micro Sword
- Origin — Mauritius
- Placement — Foreground
- Mature height — 1-3 inches
- Growth rate — Medium
Care
- Difficulty — Intermediate
- Light — Medium to high
- CO₂ — Recommended
- Water — 68-82°F, pH 6.0-7.5
- Substrate — Nutrient-rich soil or root tabs; this is a root feeder
- Growth habit — Amphibious rosette
- Propagation — Runners
Grower's Notes
- Split it into small plugs and space them out. Separate the portion into clusters of a few blades with roots attached and plant them an inch apart. Lilaeopsis fills the gaps by runner far faster than one clump grows outward.
- It is slow to start and then steady. Expect very little visible progress for the first three or four weeks while the roots establish, then runners in every direction. Do not disturb it during the quiet phase.
- Feed the roots. This carpet takes almost everything from the substrate. On inert sand without root tabs it survives but barely spreads; over aquasoil it closes properly.
- Light reaches the base or the base dies. Once the carpet thickens, trim it back. Shaded lower blades brown off, lose grip and the mat lifts in patches.
- Finer than standard micro sword. If you have used Lilaeopsis brasiliensis and found it coarse for a nano tank, this is the version to use — same habit, noticeably thinner blades.
Notes
- Photos are for reference only. Actual plant size and density may vary. Some initial transition melting may occur as the plant adapts to submerged 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 in "pristine condition" with healthy roots and leaves. Shoppers noted quick delivery and good packaging that protected plants even in heat. Some initial leaf melting occurred, but plants recovered and grew well. Customers appreciated the quality and value, with plants thriving even in hard water conditions.
- Plants arrived early and in pristine condition despite the heat
- Excellent quality, healthy plants
- Nice roots. Growing already.
T
These ones came pretty melted not sure they will recover only one is surviving
J
This isn’t the first time ordering from Aquariumplantsfactory so that should say it all. Plants always come as described. First time planting Vallisneria so hoping for the best!
M
3 pictures are the day after I planted the new Val’s in a brand new tank. The 2 close ups are after 10 days being planted, already happy and growing runners. (Please ignore the ghost feeding on the sand, cycling a new tank.) I bought all my plants from this website. It was my first purchase from them and I put a lot of trust in my purchase since I was fully stocking a new tank. Every single plant arrived alive and happy. 10 days in, I’m thoroughly impressed and can’t wait to see how everything grows. I will definitely buy from here again in the future.
M
Healthy plants. Nice color. Generous amount.
H
I have bought various plants several times from these guys. Never disappointed.
R
Haven’t had Val in a long time. The Val I bought look very healthy & beautiful!
s
My order arrived absolutely flawlessly. This plant is my favorite! It’s so spirally! :)
K
Shipped fast, arrived in their own padded box and sealed from pests, healthy and happy! Had 1 twisted leaf that broke off but tbh it looks like it may have happened in shipping process. Very satisfied!
E
They came in cute little bunches (I did a buy two get one free). They came looking a little bit messy (like messy hair), but healthy. I tried to separate the bunches into smaller bunches, but the roots were very confusing. So far they are doing well, even in my hard water 👍
T
All the plants arrived nice and green. They’ve been in the tank for about a week and haven’t died back or anything.
J
The VALLISNERIA SPIRALISCAMEA arrived last week looking very good. It was added to a 5Gal start-up tank that was awaiting its arrival. We trimmed down the plant just a bit to ensure only the newest and greenest blades were planted. I’m confident, they will flourish in the environment we created
B
Very healthy plants , good size. Quick delivery and the company keeps you updated and are very personable
C
Great plants. Recieved more than expected. Will be a repeat customer!
L
They look great and were pretty clean. Would buy again.
A
Didn't expect these vallisneria plants to be so small, was expecting 8 to 9" plants. All plants arrived in very good shape and are doing well so far will wait a few weeks to if there is any plant meltdown.
R
Arrived after five days. Still in perfect condition. Nice roots. Still in quarantine. Growing already.
C
I ordered a bunch of plants from the website. They shipped fast and arrived alive! I planted them and it has been a great success!
C
Good condition looks healthy
M
Came quickly and in perfect condition!
G
Just received my Italian Val plants. They came in extremely healthy with a nice green color to them. They were also pest free. I’m very happy with my purchase.
R
I bought several portions of the bare root val. Arrived very healthy, took well in my tank with minimal die off, and are already sending out many runners
J
After about 10 days in a fairly new tank the Vallisneria Spiralis seems to be perking up a bit. At first it appeared to be melting a bit as I lost about 3" off each blade, but now it's firming up. I presume that it will start rooting and growing well very soon.
B
Fantastic
Excellent packaging, excellent delivery time, all plants still alive and well a month on now.
W
Plants look nice. Roots not very well developed.
P
Love the Val plant came in on time great service thank you very much will do business with you again
Recommended for You
Frequently Asked Questions
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
!
