This article showcases our top picks for the Best Plants For Fish Tank. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below).
We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article This list is in no particular order.
This product was recommended by Aaditya Bhatta from Plantscraze
Under the right lighting conditions, its bright green and almost lime coloration makes it an appealing addition to any aquarium. They are amphibious and can grow partially or wholly submerged.
This product was recommended by Aaditya Bhatta from Plantscraze
The narrow leaf is the perfect plant for the foreground of your aquarium. It can form a beautiful carpet of light green under the right lighting conditions, and it grows and spreads quickly. It grows well in most temperatures ranging from 65 to 80 degrees, but it grows best when rooted in soil/plant substrate because it requires a lot of nutrients to thrive.
This product was recommended by Aaditya Bhatta from Plantscraze
This velvety green orb, known as the world’s most accessible aquarium plant, is neither a moss nor a plant but rather a naturally occurring ball of cladophora algae. Its primary care requirement is to lightly roll the marimo ball in your hands after each water change to ensure that it retains its round shape and that all parts of the algae receive light. Because they’re inexpensive and distinctive, people frequently buy a swarm of them to stock their betta tanks or goldfish aquariums.
This product was recommended by Aaditya Bhatta from Plantscraze
You can get some Christmas moss if you set up a breeding tank! Their fluffy fronds resemble miniature Christmas trees and provide excellent protection for young fish and shrimp. Aquascapers frequently tie them to rocks and driftwood to create the appearance of an overgrown, moss-covered forest. Invest in small algae eaters such as shrimp and a liquid fertilizer dose to keep this slow-growing moss looking its best.
This product was recommended by Susan Deguara from Hi Quality Turf
Water Spangles are the perfect plants for your aquarium. They have a unique shape and color that will instantly enhance the look of any fish tank. – These plants are easy to grow and maintain, requiring minimal light and water conditions. – This plant is an excellent choice for beginners or advanced aquarists alike. It’s hardy, beautiful, and grows quickly!
Java fern is a great plant for fish tanks because it does not require much maintenance and provides your tankmates with plenty of oxygen. It also filters waste from the water, which keeps the aquarium clean and healthy. Additionally, java fern can help to stimulate the growth of biotic filter critters like bacteria and algae, which helps improve the overall health of your tank. Java fern is easy to grow and prefers warm environments, so it should be compatible with most fish tanks. Just make sure that you position it where sunlight reaches at least part of its surface at all times in order to ensure proper photosynthesis. And lastly, keep in mind that Java Fern does not ship well so special care must be taken when planting it into your aquarium!
This product was recommended by Mukesh Sharma from Byaj Book
Hornwort is a plant that has been used in aquariums for many years. It is a great plant for fish tanks because it does not need to be trimmed and it does not produce any harmful toxins. Hornwort is a hardy plant that can withstand the high levels of nitrates and phosphates in aquariums. It also provides a hiding place for small fish, which makes them less susceptible to predators. Hornwort is an excellent plant for beginners because it needs little care and it can survive in even the most basic aquarium setups.
This product was recommended by Daniel “Danny” Jackson from Pet Lover Guy
This popular plant is very resistant and hard to kill. The harsh environment of a fish tank does not phase this little plant. Low light tanks are perfect for Anubias and do not require any additional fertilizer. Don’t worry if you do have a brighter tank though, Anubias will still thrive here but they will require regular maintenance.
This product was recommended by Shane Paarman from Awesome Stuff 365
This pack of seeds is ideal for freshwater aquariums, and it allows you to grow a beautiful spread of carpet along the bottom of the tank, which serves as grass for your fish. Once you place the seeds in the tank they should take up to 15 days to germinate, and they are not only an aesthetic addition but also a way of keeping the tank healthy.
This product was recommended by Ryan Knoll from Tidycasa
Generally, for the fish tanks plastic flowers are preferred but nothing beats the eye-catching look of original green plants. If you are looking to add some colourful plants to the tank I have this plant called Rotala Rotundifolia. This plant has a long stem and long narrow leaf and while they grow the green leaves turn into red which gives a splashy colour to the fish tank. Also, fishes are fond of this plant and sometimes they love eating it.
This is a fast growing, hardy plant. It must be rooted within the substrate, but is a good source of cover for fish and will help to keep your water clean.
This product was recommended by Eric Jones from Couture Candy
Lilaeopsis is also known as Brazilian Micro Swords. It is a short-stemmed plant that works well as an aquarium carpet plant. It can fully grow or partially submerge, forming a dense carpet with the right combination of lighting, carbon dioxide, and other nutrients.
This product was recommended by Michael Liam Miller from Luxurycarsa2z
Dwarf Baby Tears is one of the greatest aquarium plants for surface placement. With the right light, this plant creates a dense carpet and produces clusters of tiny leaves. Once established, it is generally simple to maintain. It has a high light requirement and a moderate growth rate. It may seem simple to choose plants for your aquarium, but if you want it to last, you must give it the same amount of attention as you did for the fish and other decorations.
This product was recommended by Eric Jones from Couture Candy
The Water Wisteria plant produces lace-like leaves that vary in size depending on the water temperature. This plant can be propagated easily with the lower leaves’ cuttings.
This product was recommended by Eric Jones from Couture Candy
This plant grows pretty slowly, even in ideal conditions. It is best anchored to a piece of driftwood instead of rooted in the substrate. Once established, it is easy to maintain.
This product was recommended by Anwar Kaur from Hindu Rope
It is aptly named for its Christmas tree-like fronds, a great cover for baby shrimps and fish. It’s excellent for breeding tanks because they look like carpet moss and are thick enough to blanket areas for fishes to breed. It is easy to cultivate because its root has a shallow structure that can absorb nutrients directly from water. Keep it in freshwater with a pH level between 5 and 7.5. Always keep the tank water clean by changing it weekly to prevent algae growth.
This product was recommended by Jen Stark from Happy DIY Home
The Red Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea Zenkeri), an African stagnant water plant, is popular in aquariums and is simple to maintain. It can grow between 7 and 31 inches tall and 9 to 23 inches broad, with a medium growth rate in the medium to strong light. The Red Tiger Lotus needs water in the aquarium that is between 71 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (22 and 30 degrees Celsius) for it to grow. Normally, blossoms are white. However, some types have red or blue blooms as a result of selective breeding.
This product was recommended by James Miller from Sofilmar
This plant is a great addition to your aquarium as it has a dark green leaf color that creates a lush environment. It is an easy care plant suitable for a tank of any size. You can attach it to rocks or driftwood in the foreground or midground. Anubias Nana grows easily, and you can propagate it by separating the side shoots. The leaves are hardy and can stand up to fish that like to eat leaves. In addition, this plant does well in a range of temperatures common to most home or office aquariums.
This product was recommended by Sara Fuhrman from WetPlants
Hailing from river basins in South America, the Amazon Sword is the staple plant of the aquascaping hobby. Its long, beautiful, and lush leaves and ease of care make it one of the most popular aquatic plants for beginners and experts. Amazon swords can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. The smaller species make for good foreground to midground plants, whereas the larger sizes are best suited for the background. One large sword can be used as your aquarium’s centerpiece, or several aligned in the background can create an Amazon forest ambiance for your aquarium dwellers. The Amazon sword is a great aquatic plant for beginners as it is relatively low-demanding and easy to keep. The plant has long, broad leaves and is a moderate grower that thrives in medium light. However, it’s a heavy root feeder, so you want to make sure you are planting it in a very nutrient-rich substrate.
This product was recommended by Sara Fuhrman from WetPlants
Alternanthera reineckii, better known as ‘Scarlet Temple,’ is a midground stem plant that is often sold in bunches. If you are new to the hobby, it serves as a go-to plant if you want to add a splash of red or pink contrast to your green aquascape. Many red plant species require lots of maintenance, Iron supplements, and even CO2 injections to thrive, but the Scarlet Temple does not need a lot of work to achieve your basic pinks and reds. Break up the stems from the bunch, and plant into a nutrient-rich substrate, and make sure the plant receives moderate to high lighting. The higher the light, the deeper the reds. Of course, CO2 and Iron supplements will help it achieve its deeper reds; however, these are not absolutely necessary for the plant to thrive. The Scarlet Temple thrives best in water temperatures of 72-82 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. However, it’s essential that your water conditions remain stable, or else the plant is at risk of melting away. Propagation is easy. As your plant grows, runners will shoot out of the side of the plant. From there, you can snip stems near the node and plant them into your substrate, eventually creating a red sea of plants that will stand out to your aquarium’s observers.
This product was recommended by Sara Fuhrman from WetPlants
Ludwigia Repens, also known as Red Ludwigia, is a gorgeous aquatic plant species. It’s a stem plant that’s quite popular due to its versatility and beautiful oval leaf structure. The leaves will remain green in moderate lighting but will turn orange and red the more you crank up the intensity. Red Ludwigia does its best work in the midground, providing eye-catching contrast for your traditional green aquascape. It’s a trailing plant that grows fast and will need to be cut back regularly so it doesn’t overwhelm the rest of your plants – but snippings can be replanted close by the parent to create a bountiful bush of beauty. While not completely necessary, a CO2 injection and Iron supplements will yield faster growth and deeper red leaves.
This product was recommended by Sara Fuhrman from WetPlants
Vallisneria (commonly known as eelgrass, tape grass, or val) is a classic aquatic plant that has long been used by aquarists in the hobby and is credited as one of the easiest plants to grow. It’s a rosette-esque plant that produces long leaves. Due to its size and verticality, it’s best suited as a background plant for large or tall tanks. There are many species of Vallisneria with distinct differences in leaf structure. Vallisneria Italian (thin leaves), Jungle Vallisneria (thick broad leaves), and Vallisneria Corkscrew (narrower spiraling leaves) are three popular variations that are easy to grow. Planting Vallisneria is simple, as all you have to do is plant the roots into a nutrient-rich substrate with the crown resting just above the substrate. The val is a fast and easy grower that will propagate itself on its own by sending runners out through the crown. In a few short months, the val will create a jungle ambiance (no pun intended) that your fish will love to swim through. That is also why it is important to regularly maintain this plant by snipping the overgrown leaves and moving the daughter plants away from undesired locations. If left unattended, the val will take over your tank and block the light from the rest of the plants in your aquascape.
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