Water Plants for Fish Tanks

In recent years it has become popular to put aquatic plants in fish tanks. These plants not only add attractiveness to the tank, but they give the fish a place to spawn and hide. Real aquatic plants also keep the chemistry of the tank balanced and provide fish with food and oxygen.

  1. Japanese Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus)

    • Japanese sweet flag, also known as dwarf sweet flag, is an aquatic perennial that can be used in an aquarium. The foliage is semievergreen and grass-like and has glossy leaves that are narrow and range from 6 to 14 inches long. The plant produces horn-shaped flowers in midsummer that are on erect hollow stems. Flowers will only produce if the plant is grown in water. The maximum size for this plant is approximately 6 to 12 inches. The pH of the aquarium should be 6.8 to 7.5 and the temperature of the water should be 59 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Gravel is the recommended substrate and the plant needs medium light.

    Silver Queen (Aglaonema)

    • Silver queen is a low-growing, aquatic plant that usually grows no taller than 36 inches. It has green foliage with silver mixed in the green leaves. To use as an aquarium plant, wash off all soil from the roots and wash the foliage. Plant the roots of the plant in the gravel, the plant should live up to one year in a fish tank. The maximum size for this plant is approximately 16 inches tall. Water pH should be kept at 6 to 7.5 and water temperature from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Silver queen is a slow-growing plant that prefers medium light.

    Temple Plant (Hygrophila corymbosa)

    • Temple plant is another aquatic plant that can be planted in your fish tank. This plant's maximum size is 16 inches tall. It has green leaves that are no larger than 2 inches long and oval-shaped. The temperature of the fish tank should remain between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The recommended substrate is fine gravel and the pH should be kept at 6.3 to 7.5. Keep the lights in the tank set on bright for optimal growth.

    Bacopa Australis

    • Bacopa australis is an aquatic plant that has small, light green foliage. The leaves are less than 1 inch in diameter and are round or oval-shaped. The plant prefers medium light and pH levels between 6.2 and 7.9. The brighter the light, the more the plant will spread like carpet on the bottom of the tank. Bacopa australis is a fast-growing plant and tank temperature should be kept between 68 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal plant growth. Also, when grown in good lighting, the plants leaves can become reddish.