The underwater world holds a captivating beauty, and aquatic plants play a vital role in creating this captivating landscape within your home aquarium. They not only add a touch of aesthetics but also contribute significantly to the health and well-being of your tank's inhabitants.
For beginners delving into the fascinating world of aquascaping, understanding the different types of aquatic plants and their specific needs is crucial. This guide will introduce you to the various plant groups, their functions, and essential care tips to ensure your underwater garden thrives.
Types of Aquatic Plants:
Foreground plants: These low-growing beauties are typically used in the front of the tank, adding depth and visual interest. Popular choices include:
Dwarf hairgrass
Dwarf sagittaria
Small cryptocorynes variants like x willisii, parva
Monte carlo
Glossostigma elatinoides
Alternanthera Reineckii 'Mini'
Smaller variations of anubias like barteri var. glabra or nana "kerin" and nan pinto
Smaller variations of bucephalandra
Blyxa japonica
Eriocaulon cinereum
Hydrocotyle tripartita
Lilaeopsis brasiliensis
Marsilea hirsuta
Micranthemum callitrichoides 'Cuba'
Pogostemon helferi
Ranunculus inundatus
Staurogyne repens'
Midground plants: Placed in the middle section, these plants provide a transition between foreground and background elements. Popular options include:
Various sword plants
ludwigia species like repens, glandulosa and super reds
Rotala species like rotundifolia, macrandra, and wallichii
Java Ferns
Larger variations of anubias
Alternanthera Reineckii Rosanervig
Larger cryptocorynes variants like wendtii, undulata, and beckettit "petchii"
Echinodorus 'Reni'
Echinodorus 'Aquartica'
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Compact'
Hygrophila pinnatifida
Nymphaea lotus
Sagittaria subulata
Background plants: These tall and majestic plants create a stunning backdrop, adding verticality and hiding equipment. Most of the time we use tall going stem plants, or plants that get really large. We don't want to put them into the front or middle ground as they will block plants behind them. Popular choices include:
Amazon sword
Water sprite
Various Vallisneria species like spiralis tiger and americana gigantea
Alternanthera reineckii 'Pink'
Aponogeton boivinianus
Bacopa caroliniana
Hygrophila corymbosa
Hygrophila pinnatifida
Pogostemon stellatus
You can always take a look at what we have in stock in our shop, or reach out to us so we can custom order plants for you!
Functions of Aquatic Plants:
Provide oxygen: During photosynthesis, plants release oxygen, essential for the respiration of fish and other aquatic life.
Reduce algae growth: Plants compete with algae for nutrients, helping to control unwanted algae growth in your tank. Happy plants also produce allelochemicals which are a natural defence mechanism against agale, for the plants themselves, but planted tanks as a whole.
Offer hiding places: Lush foliage provides shelter and reduces stress for fish, especially shy or territorial species. They also provide areas for spawning and protection for small fry.
Improve water quality: Plants absorb excess nutrients from the water column, helping to maintain a healthy balance and reduce the need for frequent water changes.
Essential Care Tips for Beginners:
Research plant needs: Different plant species have varying requirements for light, water flow, and nutrients. Choose plants suited to your tank conditions and ensure you can provide their specific needs.
Provide adequate lighting: Most plants require moderate to high lighting for optimal growth. We'd suggest that you read over our lighting guide which goes over the essentials for choosing a planted tank light, and we even make a few suggestions for you at the bottom of the article.
Fertilize appropriately: Plants love themselves some fertilization. The 1-2 punch is an aquasoil paired with a good fertilizer like Thrive or the ASG Fertilization Kit. We'd suggest that you read over our nutrients guide which covers this approach to keeping your plants happily fed.
Maintain proper water parameters: Regularly monitor and maintain water parameters like pH, temperature, and hardness within the ranges suitable for your chosen plants. Most planted tanks can run at a GH and KH of 4. We cover this in our water parameters guide in which you can read here.
Consider CO2 supplementation (optional): While carbon is an essential building block for all plants, CO2 injection is not essential for all planted tanks. With that being said, injecting CO2 can significantly enhance the growth and health of many aquatic plant species, especially those requiring high light. However, CO2 injection requires careful monitoring and proper equipment to avoid harming fish and invertebrates. If you are looking to get into CO2 we'd suggest you take a look at our CO2 guide.
Trim and propagate regularly: Regular trimming encourages healthy growth and maintains the desired shape of your plants. Propagated trimmings can be used to create a denser and more visually appealing aquascape.
With a little practice, the right care, and a touch of creativity, you can cultivate a thriving underwater garden that not only enhances the beauty of your tank but also contributes to the overall health and well-being of your aquatic residents.
Remember, this is just the beginning of your exploration into the captivating world of aquatic plants. As you gain experience and delve deeper, you'll discover a vast array of unique and stunning species to add to your ever-evolving underwater masterpiece.