How much light does Monte Carlo need?

High light, around 60–100 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of PAR. Watts are not comparable between fixtures; PAR is. If the manufacturer does not publish PAR, pick one band lower than the tank depth suggests.

Does Monte Carlo need CO₂?

It is recommended. Marked "recommended": it survives without, but visibly stalls, lengthens between nodes and loses colour.

What water does Monte Carlo want?

20–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, 2–12 dGH. At 10 dGH wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

How fast does Monte Carlo grow, and where does it go?

Growth rate: medium. Placement: foreground / carpet. Substrate: substrate required, reaching about 2–5 cm. Difficulty: moderate.

G-02 / 17Freshwater

Monte Carlo迷你矮珍珠

Micranthemum tweediei 'Monte Carlo' · Linderniaceae

A round-leaved carpet, easier than glossostigma, that lifts off the substrate when carbon runs short.

Illustration to come

G-02 / 17 · Monte Carlo Micranthemum tweediei 'Monte Carlo'

SpecificationsPlant atlas

Name: 迷你矮珍珠
Scientific name: Micranthemum tweediei 'Monte Carlo'
Family: Linderniaceae
Origin: Wetlands around Buenos Aires, Argentina; a selected horticultural form
Light: High light
PAR: 60–100
CO₂: Recommended
Hardness: 2–12 dGH
Growth: Medium
Placement: Foreground / Carpet
Substrate: Substrate required
Height: 2–5 cm
Level: Moderate

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.20–28 °C

pH5.5–7.5

Hardness2–12 dGH

Alkalinity1–8 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Growing notes

1Plant at an angle with tweezers, one to two centimetres apart, leaving a centimetre above the substrate; bury it deeper and the growth tip suffocates.
2With enough light and CO2 it hugs the substrate and without them it stands up and stretches, which is the classic carbon-shortage signal.
3Once carpeted, mow it every three or four weeks to one or two centimetres and net the trimmings, or they float up and stick to other plants.
4New leaves whiten without iron and old leaves hole without potassium; carpet plants are especially sensitive to substrate fertility.
5It stays tidiest below 26 °C and tends to yellow and lift in patches during a hot summer.

Frequently asked questions

How much light does Monte Carlo need?: High light, around 60–100 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of PAR. Watts are not comparable between fixtures; PAR is. If the manufacturer does not publish PAR, pick one band lower than the tank depth suggests.
Does Monte Carlo need CO₂?: It is recommended. Marked "recommended": it survives without, but visibly stalls, lengthens between nodes and loses colour.
What water does Monte Carlo want?: 20–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, 2–12 dGH. At 10 dGH wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
How fast does Monte Carlo grow, and where does it go?: Growth rate: medium. Placement: foreground / carpet. Substrate: substrate required, reaching about 2–5 cm. Difficulty: moderate.