Aquatic Plants

In freshwater aquariums, live plants play a crucial role beyond their visual appeal. Aquarium plants play an essential role by absorbing excess nutrients, reducing harmful waste, and oxygenating the water. They also provide essential shelter and hiding spots for fish and invertebrates, promoting natural behavior and reducing stress.

When selecting plants for your aquarium, it's important to consider factors such as lighting, substrate, CO₂ requirements, and the size of the tank. Below is a breakdown of some of the most common aquatic plants available.

1. Java Fern (Leptochilus pteropus)

Java Fern is a popular, hardy and low maintenance plant with long, narrow green leaves.

Care Instructions:

Light: Low to moderate
CO₂: Not necessary
Substrate: Can be buried or attached to decor
Growth Rate: Slow
Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
pH Range: 6.0–7.5

Benefits:

Low maintenance, beginner-friendly
Provides shelter for fish
Tolerant of various water conditions

2. El Niño Fern (Bolbitis heteroclita)

It has dense, crinkled, light-green leaves and also has a more compact growth pattern.

Care Instructions:

Light: Low to moderate
CO₂: Optional
Substrate: Can be buried or attached to decor
Growth Rate: Moderate
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH Range: 6.0-7.5

Benefits:

Adds unique texture and contrast
Excellent for nano or mid-sized tanks
Creates shelter

3. African Water Fern (Bolbitis heudelotii)

Long, deeply lobed dark green leaves.

Care Instructions:

Light: Moderate
CO₂: Beneficial but optional
Substrate: Can be buried or attached to decor
Growth Rate: Slow
Temperature: 68–80°F (20–27°C)
pH Range: 6.0–7.5

Benefits:

Ideal for natural-looking setups
Excellent mid- to background plant
Provides cover

4. Anubias Barteri

An extremely durable plant with wide, waxy, dark green leaves.

Care Instructions:

Light: Low to moderate
CO₂: Not required
Substrate: Can be buried or attached to decor
Growth Rate: Slow
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH Range: 6.5–7.8

Benefits:

Very resilient

5. Anubias Congensis

A tall, narrow-leaf variant of Anubias, this with elongated dark green leaves.

Care Instructions:

Light: Low to moderate
CO₂: Not necessary
Substrate: Can be buried or attached to decor
Growth Rate: Slow
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH Range: 6.0–7.8

Benefits:

Adds height and dimension
Withstands low light and tough conditions

6. Amazon Sword (Echinodorus grisebachii)

This is classic aquarium plant with large, sword-shaped leaves and can grow quite tall.

Care Instructions:

Light: Moderate to high
CO₂: Optional
Substrate: Nutrient-rich or use root tabs
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH Range: 6.5–7.5

Benefits:

Provides cover
Excellent oxygenator and nitrate absorber

7. Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis)

A fine, grass-like plant.

Care Instructions:

Light: High
CO₂: Recommended
Substrate: Fine grain, nutrient-rich
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
Temperature: 70–83°F (21–28°C)
pH Range: 6.5–7.5

Benefits:

Creates a natural, grassy look
Ideal for nano tanks
It’s roots can stabilize the substrate

8. Red Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea zenkeri)

Bulb plant with large reddish or marbled leaves.

Care Instructions:

Light: Moderate to high
CO₂: Optional, improves coloration
Substrate: Nutrient-rich is best
Growth Rate: Fast
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH Range: 6.5–7.5

Benefits:

Adds vibrant color contrast
Creates shade and privacy

9. Duckweed (Lemna minor)

A tiny floating plant that spreads rapidly across the water’s surface.

Care Instructions:

Light: Moderate to high
CO₂: Not required
Substrate: None – floats
Growth Rate: Very fast
Temperature: 68–86°F (20–30°C)
pH Range: 6.5–7.5

Benefits:

Absorbs excess nutrients
Provides shade and reduces algae
Offers food and cover for fry

* Can grow out of control and spread to other takes if not careful, I recommend rinsing off any shared equipment to prevent cross contamination.

10. Moss Balls (Aegagropila linnaei)

Not a true plant, but a collection of algae that naturally forms into spheres.

Care Instructions:

Light: Low
CO₂: Not required
Substrate: Free-floating or attach to decor
Growth Rate: Very slow
Temperature: 68–78°F (20–26°C)
pH Range: 6.0–8.0

Benefits:

Absorbs nitrates and pollutants
Unique looking addition