Eriocaulon cinereum (Eriocaulon cinereum) care guide

Group

Plants

Other names

Pipewort

Family

Eriocaulaceae (pipewort family)

Origin

Widespread (Tropica lists it as cosmopolitan)

Water

freshwater

Maximum size

10 cm

Temperature

20–28°C

pH

5.5–7.5

Hardness

1–12 dGH

Care level

expert

Lighting

High light; CO2 injection recommended (about 15–25 mg/L)

Care

A small pipewort that forms a low, almost cushion-like tuft of very narrow leaves about 3–10 cm tall. Tropica lists its origin as cosmopolitan. Use it in the foreground. It flowers readily after planting, and its many thin flower stems give it a distinctive look; flowering uses up much of its strength, but in good conditions it recovers and regrows from the base after a while. Tropica rates it as advanced. It grows slowly and needs strong light and added CO2. It is adapted to soft water, though it tolerates medium-hard water better than most pipeworts. Soft water keeps it healthiest. Temperature and pH are our estimate, not from the sources; the hardness range reflects Tropica's note on soft to medium-hard water. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Tropica sells it as tissue-cultured plants. At home, separate side rosettes when the clump grows; plants may also regrow from the base after flowering.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not eaten by fish or shrimp. Digging fish can uproot it. Best in a well-kept, CO2-injected planted or shrimp tank.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.