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Marsilea Hirsuta
Marsilea hirsuta
Also known as Marsilea, Four Leaf Clover, Dwarf Clover, Four-leaf Clover Plant
Plantae›Tracheophyta›Magnoliopsida›Salviniales›Marsileaceae
📍 Australia
Marsilea Hirsuta is a low-maintenance carpet plant that produces small, clover-like leaves on short stems. It spreads via runners to form a lush, medium-height green carpet without requiring CO2 injection — making it one of the easiest carpet plants for low-tech tanks. Leaves grow taller without CO2 but stay compact with it.
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Tanks keeping this 🌿
Growing in 3 tanksCommunity tanks featuring Marsilea Hirsuta.
Compatible Livestock
Algae-eating fish that won't uproot or damage delicate carpet plants
Shrimp graze on algae and detritus without harming plant structure; ideal for planted carpets
Complementary foreground plant that creates a layered carpet effect with similar care requirements
Small, peaceful fish that won't uproot plants and thrive in the same water parameters
Excellent algae control without damaging plant runners; compatible with low-tech setups
Similar foreground carpet plant that pairs well for creating dense, multi-layered substrate coverage
Common Diseases
Algae Overgrowth
Green, brown, or black algae coating plant leaves and runners; reduced light penetration to plant tissue
Increase water changes, reduce light duration to 8-10 hours daily, add algae-eating fish or shrimp (Otocinclus, Amano Shrimp), and manually remove visible algae
Nutrient Deficiency
Yellowing or pale leaves, stunted growth, weak runners, loss of color intensity
Add liquid all-in-one fertilizer (e.g., Thrive, EasyLife) weekly, ensure adequate macronutrients from fish waste, or use nutrient-rich substrate
Melting
Leaves becoming translucent, mushy, or dissolving; runners rotting at base
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, ensure adequate lighting and water circulation, reduce plant density if overcrowded, and remove dead tissue
Slow or No Growth
Minimal new runner development, stalled carpet expansion, leaves remaining small
Increase light to 8-10 hours daily, add CO2 or liquid fertilizers, improve water circulation, and verify temperature is within 18-28°C range
Tips from the community 💡
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Quick Facts
- co2
- Not required (CO2 keeps it compact)
- light
- Medium–High
- placement
- Foreground carpet
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- growth rate
- Moderate
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–8.0
- hardness
- 2–20 dGH
- temperature
- 64–82°F (18–28°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.