Plant comparison
Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) vs Rotala Macrandra
How the Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) and Rotala Macrandra compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which plant suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) vs Rotala Macrandra
The Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) and the Rotala Macrandra come up together a lot when people are choosing a plant, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 22 to 26 °C and pH 5.5 to 7, so a single tank can suit either one. The Rotala Macrandra is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) rewards a bit more attention. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
1 note
Temperature
- Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba)20–26 °C
- Rotala Macrandra22–28 °C
pH
- Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba)5.5–7
- Rotala Macrandra5.5–7
Hardness
- Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba)1–10 dGH
- Rotala Macrandra2–10 dGH
What to plan for
- Demanding species presentDwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba), Rotala Macrandra are difficulty 4+. Stable parameters and weekly maintenance are non-negotiable.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  PlantDwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba)Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba' |  PlantRotala MacrandraRotala macrandra |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Plant | Plant |
| Origin | Cuba | India |
| Family | Linderniaceae | Lythraceae |
| Temperature | 20–26 °C | 22–28 °C |
| pH | 5.5–7.0 | 5.5–7.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–10 | 2–10 |
| Flow rate | Low | Low to Medium |
| Max height | 1–3 cm | 20–50 cm |
| Difficulty | 5 / 5 | 4 / 5 |
| Light | High | High |
| CO₂ | Required | Required |
| Growth rate | Medium | Medium |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) and Rotala Macrandra together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 22 to 26 °C and pH 5.5 to 7, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) or the Rotala Macrandra?
The Rotala Macrandra is the easier of the two, closer to demanding, while the Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) leans expert-level.
Do Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) and Rotala Macrandra need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 22 to 26 °C and pH 5.5 to 7 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) and the Rotala Macrandra?
Placement and light. The Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba) works as foreground, the Rotala Macrandra as background, and their light needs differ, which is covered in the table.