How to Choose Plants for an Aquarium

There are myriad plants for your aquarium. Here are a few suggestions.

Instructions

    • 1

      Consider the amount of space you have to work with. Some plants have wide leaves and some resemble grasses. Some grow quite tall.

    • 2

      Think about lighting. How much light is available in different parts of the tank?

    • 3

      Put the shorter plants toward the front of the tank and the taller ones at the back.

    • 4

      Select aponogeton, which is a good plant for the front of the tank. Some species bloom. This plant grows from a bulb.

    • 5

      Opt for either elodea or egeria; these do well in cooler temperatures and are good for adding oxygen to the water. They can be planted or left floating free.

    • 6

      Floating liverwort, also sold as crystalwort, is an ideal plant for tanks with live bearers. The plant forms a mossy chunk that's ideal for fry (baby fish), and it grows well under bright light.

    • 7

      Go for strength with hornwort, which is very durable. It can grow in medium and full light and can be planted or left to float free. Keep in mind that this plant grows to about 21 inches.

    • 8

      Consider Indian hygro, also known as green hygro. This spreads rapidly. This plant doesn't like a lot of light and does best under medium lighting conditions.

    • 9

      Watch out for some plants that are sold as aquatic plants, but really aren't. They'll look good for about a month and then die. These range from hedges to bog plants, and include fountain plants, Chinese evergreens, Brazilian swordgrass, alligator plants, club mosses and umbrella pines.