What Are Good Live Plants to Put in My Freshwater Aquarium?

Many people with freshwater aquariums choose to use live plants in them. Freshwater fish can benefit from having live plants in their aquariums because the plants provide oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and provide fish with a more natural habitat than plastic plants. While aquariums with live plants require more cleaning than artificial plants, they can be maintained with proper lighting and care. There are several types of live plants to choose from.

  1. Ferns, Mosses and Liverworts

    • These types of aquarium plants do not have flowers and propagate by microscopic spores. Ferns also may produce roots that are easily attached to rocks or wood ornaments in the aquarium. Ferns have wide or narrow leaf forms, light green colors and may grow up to a foot long. They provide excellent hiding places for baby fish and guppies. Mosses do not grow very quickly and usually deteriorate in the aquarium. They are used as hiding places for baby live-bearing fish and other types of spawning fish. Liverworts have bright green tufts and float beneath the surface and are also used as hiding places for live-bearing fish babies.

    Rosette Plants

    • These beautiful, leafy flowering aquarium plants are typically used for ornamental purposes. They may be used in groups or independently and typically require more maintenance and care than other types of plants. Many people choose this type of aquarium plant for decorative purposes only, but they do provide minimal coverage as hiding places for smaller fish. Some examples of popular rosette plants include calla lilies, Sagittaria, Vallisneria and duckweed.

    Stem Plants

    • Stem plants are flowering plants that may be used in several parts of the overall aquarium design. These are the most popular types of aquarium plants because they grow quickly, are easy to maintain and are easy to propagate with cuttings. Many people plant them in the background, along the sides and in the center of the aquarium. There are many types of stem plants, including the scarlet hygro, copperleaf, water hyssop and water wisteria. If you do not have much of a green thumb and want an easy-to-care-for plant, the hygrophila is a popular choice. If you are looking for a plant that offers shelter for baby fish and shy fish, as well as a location for egg deposits, consider the hornwort.