Supplies to Make a Betta Peace Lily Plant

A Betta peace lily vase makes an interesting decorative accent in a living room or office. Because Bettas come in a wide range of colors, you can choose to coordinate your pet with his surroundings, or you can make him a point of contrast. If care is taken to provide for his well-being, your Bettas may live happily for two or three years in his vase.

  1. Vase

    • The size and shape of the vase are crucial to the well-being of your fish. Some pet stores which sell fish may have a specialized vase for this purpose. If you are unable to find such a vase, choose a clear, glass vase with a wide bowl and a flared neck. Do not use crystal, especially lead crystal, as it may leach unsafe elements into the water. The vase should have a slightly narrowed area where the bowl meets the neck, to support the plant and prevent it from falling into the bowl. The bowl of the vase should hold at least one quart of water with about an inch of space between the surface of the water and the narrowed portion of the neck.

    Plant

    • Choose a fairly small peace lily -- Spathiphyllum wallisii or one of its close relatives -- with a well-developed root structure. The plant should be somewhat smaller than the neck of the vase, with plenty of space to allow air into the bowl.

    Plant Support

    • Support the plant with a plastic lid or plant tray that fits into the neck of the vase about an inch above the water line. Clear plastic is more aesthetically pleasing than colored plastic for this use. Cut a hole for the plant's roots in the middle of the plastic piece, and make some additional holes around the margin so that air can freely enter the bowl of the vase. You may wish to place some small pebbles, marbles or seashells in the tray for decoration and for additional support for your plant.

    Fish

    • Choose a male Betta splendens -- Siamese fighting fish -- in the color of your choice. You will also need to provide for his care with dechlorinating drops for the water, Betta flakes or pellets, and freeze-dried blood worms. To ensure that your Betta stays healthy, you must change his water once a week, feed him at least twice daily, and ensure that there is sufficient fresh air in the bowl. Bettas are labyrinth fish and must breathe oxygen from the surface of the water in order to survive. You can add gravel and small plants to the bowl of the vase if you wish, but they are not necessary to the Betta's health.