Not only is an aquarium beautiful, but it’s a great way to bring nature into your home. Living plants play a vital role in creating aesthetically pleasing underwater landscapes. Not only do they add color and texture to your aquarium, they also provide natural filtration and oxygenation to create a healthy and balanced environment for your aquatic animals. However, choosing the right live plants for your aquarium can be overwhelming, especially if you are a beginner. With so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which plants will thrive in your aquarium and complement your aquatic pets. In this comprehensive guide, we take a closer look at the best live plants for your aquarium and how to care for them so you can create a vibrant and healthy aquatic ecosystem in your home.
- Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
Because it requires little maintenance and is easy to maintain, Java Moss is a good choice for beginners. This plant can grow in a variety of water conditions and does not require additional light or nutrient supplementation. Java moss is a flexible choice for aquascaping because it can be attached to rocks, driftwood, or any other surface in your aquarium. The plant’s rapid growth makes it an excellent choice for filling gaps in your aquarium.
- Lighting: Java moss does not require intense light and can thrive in low to moderate light conditions. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it will kill the plant.
- Water Parameters: Java moss is a hardy plant that tolerates a variety of water conditions. It thrives in both hard and soft water and tolerates a pH range of 6.0-8.0. However, it is important to maintain stable water parameters to ensure optimal plant growth.
- Nutrient Supplementation: Java moss does not require any special nutritional supplements. However, adding a nutrient-rich substrate or liquid fertilizer will help to promote growth and overall health.
- Anubias (Anubias barteri)
Anubias can survive in a variety of aquarium environments and are an attractive and hardy plant. Its broad leaves make it an excellent choice for providing hiding places for fish and insects. Anubias are low maintenance plants that grow slowly. It is the perfect plant for aquascapes because it can grow on rocks or driftwood. However, Anubias should not be planted in a substrate as this can lead to root rot of the plant.
- Lighting: Anubias prefer low to moderate lighting and may be harmed by strong lighting. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it will kill the plant.
- Water Parameters: Anubias is a hardy plant that tolerates a wide range of water conditions. It thrives in both hard and soft water and tolerates a pH range of 6.0-8.0. However, it is important to maintain stable water parameters to ensure optimal plant growth.
- Nutrient Supplementation: Anubias does not require any specific nutritional supplementation. However, adding a nutrient-rich substrate or liquid fertilizer will help to promote growth and overall health.
- Amazon Sword (Echinodorus amazonicus)
Amazon swords are favored by aquarium enthusiasts for their beautiful, long, sword-like green leaves. This plant can handle a variety of water conditions and is relatively easy to care for. Planting her in larger aquariums is recommended as she can grow quite large. Amazon swords need a nutrient-rich substrate and regular fertilization to thrive. Strong light is also needed for the best growth.
- Lighting: Amazon Sword requires medium to high lighting for optimal growth. However, it is important to avoid strong light as this can damage the plant’s foliage.
- Water Parameters: Amazon Sword prefers slightly acidic water with a pH range of 6.5-7.5 rather than neutral water. It also requires moderate to strong water flow and can benefit from adding CO2 to the aquarium water.
- Nutrient Supplementation: Amazon Swords are heavy feeders and require regular nutritional supplementation. Adding a nutrient-rich substrate, rhizomes, or liquid fertilizer will help promote growth and overall health.
- Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
Fast-growing plants such as water wisteria can quickly fill open spaces in an aquarium. This is a great option for beginners as it doesn’t require much CO2 and requires only low to moderate lighting. Aquatic wisteria is an amazing plant for adding oxygen to your aquarium water as it can withstand a variety of water conditions. It is an excellent addition to any aquarium as it provides hiding places for fish and invertebrates.
- Lighting: Water wisteria can thrive in low to high light conditions. However, it is important to keep out of direct sunlight, as this can cause the plant to shrivel or die.
- Water Parameters: Water wisteria can tolerate a variety of water conditions. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral water with a pH range of 6.5-7.5 and a water temperature between 22-28°C (72-82°F).
- Nutrient Supplementation: Water wisteria is a fast-growing plant that requires regular nutritional supplements. Adding a nutrient-rich substrate, rhizomes, or liquid fertilizer will help promote growth and overall health.
- Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)
Javan ferns are popular among aquarium enthusiasts for their beautiful, unusually textured green foliage. It is a low-maintenance plant that thrives on soil, driftwood, or rocks. Javan ferns don’t need more CO2, just low to moderate light. But for it to thrive, the substrate must be rich in nutrients or fertilized frequently. A slow-growing plant called a Java fern can add a natural look to your aquarium.
- Lighting: Java fern likes low to moderate light conditions. However, it can also grow under bright light conditions with the addition of CO2.
- Water Parameters: Javan ferns tolerate a wide range of water conditions. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral water with a pH range of 6.0-7.5 and a water temperature between 20-28°C (68-82°F).
- Nutrient Supplementation: Javan fern is a slow growing plant that does not require regular nutritional supplementation. However, adding a nutrient-rich substrate or liquid fertilizer will help to promote growth and overall health.
To sum up, adding real plants to your aquarium can make it more attractive and create a natural and healthy environment for your aquarium life. Finding the best live plants for your aquarium can be difficult, but you can narrow your search by considering their ease of care, suitability for different aquarium types, and aesthetic appeal. Novice and experienced aquarists alike will find Java Fern, Anubias, Amazon Sword, Water Wisteria, and Java Moss to be good choices. These live plants can thrive in your aquarium and, with proper care, create stunning underwater scenery for you and your aquatic animals.