Most Realistic Aquarium Plants

Aquarium plants add a realistic dimension to any aquarium. Live plants benefit the well being of certain fish in an aquarium but are more difficult to maintain. For this reason artificial aquarium plants can be a good alternative. Artificial aquarium plants today are similar in appearance to live plants and made to a standard where it's hard to distinguish between the two.

  1. Silk Plants

    • Silk aquarium plants look very close to live plants without the added maintenance.

      Silk plants are some of the most realistic artificial plants available to consumers today. Silk plants are produced in many different sizes, styles and colors to complement any aquarium's appearance. Silk aquarium plants can be found at most fish and pet stores. Since they're made from silk they need to be carefully cleaned often to keep their luster and appearance. Cleaning them is as simple as running them under warm water to remove any algae and accumulated debris.

    Plastic Plants

    • Plastic plants don't appear as realistic as the silk variety but from a distance of a couple feet it's hard to tell the difference. These come in plenty of sizes and colors and are made from nontoxic materials. Large varieties of safe plastic plants can be found at any pet and fish store. Most plastic plants are secured to the bottom of the aquarium through little rocks that bury into the gravel or substrate. High-quality plastic plants can be attached to the mounting rocks securely so they won't tear off if a fish bites it. Similar to artificial silk plants, plastic plants should be cleaned regularly. Scrubbing them with warm water and a rough sponge should clean any debris.

    Integrated Plants

    • Integrated plants are a great way add realistic plants combined with other aquarium decor.

      Integrated plants can be found at a variety of pet stores and enhance an aquarium. These artificial plant types are usually silk or plastic plants combined with a piece of wood or rock. Some examples might include driftwood or rocks with artificial plants already mounted into them resulting in a realistic appearance. This is a good way to create a natural environment for different fish and add a realistic touch to any aquarium. Cleaning should be done with warm water and a sponge or scraper.

    Variety Packs

    • Both silk and plastic artificial aquarium plants can be found in variety packs. Purchasing a variety pack takes the guesswork out of creating a good mixture of different sizes and colors of plants in your aquarium. This is an ideal way to start off your aquarium. Certain websites even allow you to create your own variety pack by mixing and matching artificial plants.