Aquatic Plants for Beginners

Many wild aquatic plants have been adapted for use in freshwater and marine aquariums. These plants are typically categorized based on how large or tall they grow. Foreground plants, background plants and bunch plants all have a place in a freshwater or marine aquarium, but you should plan out the plants in your aquarium prior to beginning to make sure that size and space considerations are made beforehand.

  1. Carpet Plants

    • Carpet plants form a matting-like carpet across the bottom of an aquarium. They are ideal for shallow aquariums because most species of the plant require strong light to thrive. Water wisteria is a good aquatic carpet plant for beginners, but you may need to weight down its stems until they take root and begin to grow. Another good aquatic plant for beginners is Glossostigma sp. which is popular because it can grow quickly, spreading across the bottom of an aquarium to form an attractive planted tank.

    Java Plants

    • Java fern and Java moss are two common aquatic plants for beginners because they are hardy and versatile. They should be attached to rock or driftwood when you first plant them, until they can form their roots and tether themselves to the aquarium floor. They can thrive in hard and soft water, freshwater or brackish water, and can handle different pH values, allowing them to survive in many aquarium setups. New shoots form on old leaves, but you can cut them off and allow them to root themselves elsewhere in the tank.

    Amazon Sword

    • The Amazon sword plant is another hardy variety that has a place in beginner and more advanced aquariums. Amazon sword is a quickly growing plant, which allows it to aid in the prevention of algae formation. This plant has long leaves that are attractive in shallow and deep aquariums, though they may grow long enough that they float on the top of the water.

    Anubias Nana

    • This is another plant that can thrive in virtually any aquarium conditions, making it a solid choice for beginners. To obtain the best growing results with this plant, anchor it to a stone or another plant until it can properly root itself. Anubias nana often flowers, and is typically avoided by fish that normally consume plants.