Hard Water & Low Light Aquarium Plants

There are species of plant that actually prefer to live in low light environments. Some of them are available in the United States. If your aquarium is in a basement with no natural light or cannot be positioned to use natural light these plants are a good choice for background and cover.

  1. Cryptocorynes

    • This freshwater plant that can live in low light and hard water. The advantage is that it comes in several shades from olive green to reddish-brown. The plant produces a leaf that is about eight inches long and can range from a half-inch wide to three inches, depending on the variety. All of the individual leaves grow from a stem on the root ball. These plants are good cover for fish that get skittish or are being chased.

    Anubias

    • These freshwater plants grow very well in low-light, hard-water environments. It is a plant that can grow to about 10 inches in height and has leaves that grow on a stem directly from the root ball. The plant is green and the broad leaves make it an excellent background plant in an aquarium. These plants are also good if you are attempting to spawn angelfish since the will readily lay their eggs on the large leaves.

    Java Fern

    • This freshwater plant is one of the easiest plants to maintain in the aquarium. It does well in low light and hard water. It is actually a fern that grows underwater. The leaves begin spreading out from the root ball and can grow to 10 inches. They have a very delicate look to them but are very hardy. The bunching of leaves provide cover for smaller fish. This is an excellent background for 20 to 35 gallon tanks.

    Ceratopteris

    • This is a green freshwater plant that can either be floated on the top of the water freely with the roots hanging down or anchored to the bottom. This is one of the easiest plants for any hobbyist to grow. This is a fast-growing species and will have to be thinned on occasion. When the plant is free-floating it will provide safety for fry in the dangling root system.