Hemianthus Micranthemoides Platinum, AKA Platinum Pearlweed and other platinum plants

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I've really been digging pearlweed in my low tech tank, and thinking of growing a shaped pearlweed bush in my high tech experiment tank.

But I came across this listing for a white/platinum variety of pearlweed. Can't find any info on it anywhere. So I ordered 5 stems, the most expensive pearlweed stems on earth!

Think it'll actually survive/be platinum or light colored?

We really need some lighter colored plants in this hobby. Myrio 'Golden' is one I've successfully used, but it grows too crazy and the trimmings drove me nuts so I ditched it. What other white/platinum plants are there?

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I mean, if it actually looks this good...

 

[Koan]

Well it looks like @Dennis Wong had it growing in October

Journal Post in thread '20 gallon Rotala florida tank'

Oct 3, 2025

I was given this "Eriocaulon Sao Benedito" and it seems to be a smaller version of Eriocaulon setaceum.Wondering whether it will be a good compliment to Rotala florida. Its a tad messier than Syngonanthus. I think the larger pipeworts are more impressive as a whole.
Green vs red Rotala macrandra mini type 4:


Spare plants corner of the tank. Have to decide whether to use them in the next re-arrangement or the tank or shift them elsewhere. One orange version of Elatine triandra, white/variegated pearlweed, and Eriocaulon Sao Benedito

• Dennis Wong

• 
• 

I'd sure be interested to find some of this variegated Hygro locally as well!

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I'd sure be interested to find some of this variegated Hygro locally as well!

I learned that Hygro Polysperma is on the federal list of no-sell plants in the US we'll never get this plant unfortunately.

Well it looks like @Dennis Wong had it growing in October

Love this tank, but I don't see any pearlweed here!

 

[Koan]

don't see any pearlweed

From the text, I'm pretty sure it's this?

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Spot on, I wonder what your experience with this plant was like @Dennis Wong ?

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

I learned that Hygro Polysperma is on the federal list of no-sell plants in the US we'll never get this plant unfortunately.


Love this tank, but I don't see any pearlweed here!

While you are correct that doesnt stop people from obtaining and selling it...
Ive seen the Hygro 'Sunset' often available and that is a variant of polysperma. Ive grown tired of trying audit these people because they simply do not care.

 

[BenB]

Hygro polysperma is like that Myrophyllium everyone talks about. It grows so fast, it's a pain. The white one probably doesn't grow as fast, but the regular was never a great plant. Too much distance between the internodes. Just years ago, it was one of the few we could get to grow when we were still being challenged by Eustralis stellata.

Interestingly, on a plant collecting trip with Tom Barr years ago, we found it in multiple creeks and streams in Florida. Unbelievable that even though it is invasive, you aren't allowed to remove it.

 

[Dennis Wong]

The white pearlweed is quite resilient for a "white plant". Not too picky, but slow growing and not as robust as normal pearlweed.
White microsorum umbrosum is another alternative that grows well. Both will grow and remain very white. Easier than glosso platinum comparatively.

However, I find that white plants need the correct layout to be show cased well. I've seen folks painstakingly grow entire carpets of glosso platinum and yet no one paid any attention as the plant does not stand out alone. White stuff needs to be contrasted with deep greens and other colors to stand out.

In my next layout I'm using the white Hygrophila polysperma. Seems to be able to form nice bushes as it branches quite a bit and the internodal distance isn't too bad. Seems much more usable than regular polysperma which has very messy growth form.