10 plants for freshwater aquarium

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 14 February 2021
Update Date: 3 November 2024
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My Top 10 Easy Beginner Aquarium Plants
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Before deciding to have an aquarium at home, it is essential to be aware that it is not just a decoration. The waters inside an aquarium will be the “home” of your pet fish. Therefore, it is important to generate a positive environment that recreates – as far as possible, of course – the natural habitat of these animals.

Nowadays, we can find various resources to enrich the fish environment in specialized stores and also on the Internet. But one of the best alternatives is still natural aquarium plants. In addition to providing beauty, the plants contribute to form a mini ecosystem within the aquarium, which can be combined with rocks, small logs, gravel, etc.


So, it is necessary to have some knowledge to choose the most suitable aquarium plants for the needs and behavior of the species of fish we choose to raise. In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will introduce you 10 plants for freshwater aquarium that will help you beautify and enrich your fish's environment.

Types of Plants for Freshwater Aquarium

Much of our planet is covered with water and it is no surprise that aquatic vegetation is extremely rich and diverse, shaping different ecosystems. Both in salt water and in fresh water, we can find several plants that comply essential functions for the balance of aquatic life.

However, not all of these species can survive adequately in compact and artificial environments such as an aquarium. Generally, types of freshwater plants for aquariums are classified into 7 major groups:


  • bulbs: they are characterized by the stalks that grow from underground bulbs, in which they store nutrients that they capture from the soil through the roots. Generally, they adapt better to temperatures from 19ºC to 28ºC and require simple care and can be a good option for beginners. However, some species grow a lot over time and need an aquarium of medium or large dimensions.
  • Floating: as the name reveals, the characteristic feature of this type of plant is to remain on the water surface. In Brazil, the water lily or water hyacinth is probably the most famous floating plant, being a symbol of Amazonian aquatic vegetation. In addition to their striking beauty, floating plants are super functional in aquariums, as they absorb much of the organic matter available in the water, avoiding imbalances that can favor the multiplication of algae and microorganisms that can harm the fish's health.
  • Floor plans for "carpet": This type of aquatic plant is famous for providing that natural grass mat or carpet look at the bottom of the aquarium with very intense green colors. Although they require simple care, they must have a good quality substrate and it is necessary to pay attention to cleaning the aquarium to avoid the accumulation of organic residues in the soil.
  • Mosses: they are the “darlings” of those in love with aquariums! Easy to care for and maintain, resistant and able to survive with low availability of sunlight. Furthermore, their growth is moderate and they do not need to receive an additional input of CO2 to survive.
  • Rhizomes or rosettes: also called common aquarium plants, are small or medium sized species with moderate growth and easy maintenance. One of the advantages of rhizomes is that they offer a good diversity of colors and shapes, helping to create a natural, beautiful and joyful environment at an affordable cost.
  • Stem or crown plants: are aquarium plants that are characterized by thin stalks from which small leaves that can have various shapes are born. The most famous and common species in aquariums belong to the genus Rotalia, which draws attention to the pink and orange tones that color its stems and leaves. As they are very resistant and easy to maintain, they are highly recommended for beginners in aquarium hobby.

10 Easy-Care Freshwater Aquarium Plants

Despite offering several benefits for the enrichment of the aquarium, natural plants require work, dedication and investment. Each species requires certain environmental conditions to correctly return. In addition to the fertile substrate, it is essential to take into account the water temperature, the amount of oxygen and CO2, the availability of light (solar or artificial), etc.


Depending on the characteristics and needs of each aquatic plant, its maintenance will require more or less time, effort and money from the aquarium owner. If you are a beginner in the art of taking care of aquariums, or do not have the time and patience to take on delicate and regular care, the ideal is to prefer simple and easy-to-maintain plants.

With that in mind, we list 10 aquatic plants for aquarium with their basic characteristics:

Java Moss (Vesicularia dubyana)

This freshwater aquatic plant originates from Southeast Asia, especially the famous island of Java. Because it adapts very well to aquariums, even when it exists low light, became popular all over the world. Generally, it shows excellent fixation on any type of fertile substrate and shows moderate growth, reaching approximately 8 centimeters in height. As they grow, they form thick tufts.

Java moss is an aquarium plant that coexists in a balanced way with almost all freshwater aquarium fish. They even usually play a fundamental role in the reproduction of these species, as it serves as a spawning site and also a shelter for small young fish or aquarium shrimp.

Anubias

Plants of the Anubia genus are mainly associated with the African continent. But like Java moss, some species have become super famous for their adaptability to freshwater aquariums. For beginners, it is recommended to start by cultivating the Anubias nana, both for its compact size and for the simplicity of care. Another advantage is that fish don't usually eat this plant.

THE Anubias nana It is a rhizome-like plant that reaches between 5cm and 10cm in height inside aquariums. Its growth is slow and constant, developing optimally at temperatures between 22ºC and 25ºC. This type of plant should preferably be grown on rocks to prevent the rhizome from becoming completely covered and rotting.

Melon Sword (Echinodorus Osiris)

Originally from Brazil, the melon sword is one of the freshwater aquarium plants easier to care for. They usually reach a maximum height of up to 50cm and show an interesting color change during growth. The young leaves show very beautiful reddish tones, while the mature ones are predominantly green.

Despite being very resistant, it does not adapt well to excessively warm waters, as they grow abundantly in the southern region of Brazil. The ideal temperatures for its growth are around the 24ºC and should not exceed 27ºC. Furthermore, they are solitary and do not grow in colonies.

Cairuçus (Hydrocotyle)

The nearly 100 species originating in South America that make up the botanical genus Hydrocotyle are popularly known as cairuçus. One of them, the Hydrocotyle Leucocephala, It is very popular in freshwater aquariums due to the attractive shape and the bright dark green of its leaves.

Unlike other lush plants, Cairuçus are plants for freshwater aquarium easy to care and adapt well even to newly started aquariums. They are also very versatile and can be grown directly in the substrate or as a plant for a floating aquarium. They adapt perfectly to warm or temperate waters, at temperatures from 20ºC to 30ºC. In these optimal conditions, its growth is fast, but the plant hardly exceeds 40cm in height.

Image Source: Reproduction/Aqua Plants

Grass (Lilaeopsis brasiliensis)

As the name suggests, grass is ideal for making those natural carpets on the bottom or front of the aquarium. Originally from South America and with a strong presence in Brazil, this plant grows quickly when it has a fine and fertile substrate. As its leaves can have different shades of green, from light green to flag, we enjoy an interesting contrast.

Maintenance is also relatively simple, although it is important to be careful to avoid excessive concentration of fish food residues in the soil. It also requires intense light and the water inside the aquarium must remain at moderate temperatures between 15ºC and 24ºC.

Duckweed (Lemna minor)

This is one of the plants for freshwater aquarium exclusively aquatic and floating, drawing attention to its particularly small size. Even in optimal conditions, this species hardly exceeds 4mm in length and has a single root.

Its maintenance is super simple and contributes to the balance of the pond or aquarium, as it consumes some hazardous waste, such as ammonia. One aspect to consider before cultivating duckweed is that various species of fish and snails like to consume them. However, as this plant reproduces quickly, there are usually no imbalances between populations.

Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

Here we find another exclusively aquatic and floating plant, with an interesting shape that is similar to lettuce and a velvety texture. This is a cosmopolitan, rustic and resistant species, being able to survive in different ecosystems. So it can be ideal for beginners in the art of growing natural plants for aquariums.

Although it does not require a substrate, it is essential to cultivate it with intense light and in water free of chlorine or other chemical substances. A possible disadvantage of growing water lettuce is that it tends to reproduce easily, especially in waters rich in macro and micro nutrients. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the organic matter available inside the aquarium to prevent them from becoming a pest.

Amazonian (Echinodorus bleheri)

Originally from South America and mainly from the Amazon, this species is ideal for those looking for practicality. Amazonians are undemanding, grow very well on simple substrates and adapt well to moderate light availability. However, they grow faster and more exuberantly when they have more abundant light.

To keep this plant healthy, it is essential keep an eye on algae multiplication inside the aquarium. An interesting strategy is to combine it with animals that help keep the aquarium clean, like the Chinese algae eater. Apart from this detail, the development of the Amazon is slow, but constant, and it is necessary to carry out periodic pruning to control height.

Aquatic Wisteria (Hygrophila Difformis)

Native to India and Southeast Asia, aquatic wisteria could also be on a list of "darlings" for those starting out in aquarium hobby. This crown plant is characterized by its well erect stems that grow in opposite pairs and from which leaves with rounded lobes of light green color are born.

As they capture nutrients through leaves and roots that float in the water, they can be grown on simple substrates. Although, need medium to high brightness, and it is recommended to add a supply of CO2 to the water to facilitate its development. The optimal temperatures for its growth range from 22ºC to 27ºC, always with a pH close to neutral (from 6.5 to 7.5).

Pink Amania (Ammannia gracilis)

Few aquarium plants are as showy as the pink ammonia, which is originally from the African continent. The reddish-orange or slightly pink hue of its leaves and stems creates a fabulous contrast and adds a noble air to the pool. However, you need to know that this species needs to receive intense light to conquer these coveted shades.

Pink amanias also need a fertile substrate and temperatures between 20°C and 27°C to grow properly. Furthermore, an additional supply of CO2 to the water will also facilitate its growth. Although they require a little more care and attention than the other freshwater aquarium plants on our list, you'll find them worth growing!

If you want to read more articles similar to 10 plants for freshwater aquarium, we recommend that you enter our Basic Care section.