Plants provide a more natural habitat for fish. They’re a great addition to any tank or aquarium because they not only look super cool, they have many functions and benefits for your fish friends and the overall health of your tank.
Choosing which plants jive with your tank might seem easy and straightforward, but it requires you to put a lot of thought and careful consideration into the plan you have for your tank and what else is going to be in there. All plants require special care and a suitable environment for them to grow.
Here is a list of my favorite aquatic freshwater plants to grow in your tank. These are the ones I end up recommending most often when I get questions from beginner fishkeepers because they are easy to take care of, are compatible with tons of fish and make your tank look like an awesome underwater jungle.
Java Moss
Java moss is easy to plant in your tank because the roots attach very easily on rocks. It has small branched stems and overlapping oval leaves, which have a gorgeous bright green color.
The required environment is water that ranges from a low to high pH of 5.0-8.0 and a temperature of 59-86℉. This plant is ideal for beginners and freshwater aquarium tanks due to its extremely hardy nature. I personally think it looks best paired with a leafy plant, like the next one on our list.
Water Wisteria
This one has stems up to 20 inches in length and 10 inches in width. The stems are slightly darker than the bright green leaves. It requires moderate to high lighting, and to be maintained at temperatures of 70-82℉. Water pH is maintained at 6.5-7.5. These plants are perfect for filling out the look of any tank, and look great with other plants like the java moss.
Vallisneria
Vallisneria is an interesting plant species because it produces both male and female flowers. Male flowers are below the water, while female flowers are at the surface.
It has beautiful ribbon-like beautiful green leaves and is also known as eelgrass. They grow in low to moderate lighting. Temperatures of 68-82℉ are essential, and water pH of 6.5-8.5 becomes an added advantage to make these flourish.
Java Fern
 Java fern is a hardy freshwater aquarium species that can tolerate a wide range of conditions. It is made up of two parts, which are the rhizomes and leaves. You can plant it in a gravel substrate or attach it to rocks. It survives temperatures of 62-82℉ and a water pH of 6.0-7.5. Also, it requires moderate to low lighting, making it a staple for many building a low-light tank.
Duckweed
Duckweed is a type of floating plant found in large water sources like ponds and rivers. Light and the nutrients found in water are enough to get the nourishment they need. Duckweed reproduces through vegetative reproduction and grows best in water pH of 6.5-7.5.
They can tolerate and survive in a wide range of temperatures. A significant benefit of this species is that it forms a shaded area that blocks a lot of the light from getting into the tank, minimizing the unwanted growth of algae. Duckweed should also not grow too thick to allow enough light to the underwater plants to enable good nourishment.
Guppy grass
Guppy Grass is a true favorite of mine. It’s another great plant for beginners because it grows so well all by itself the hard part will be making sure it doesn’t take over your tank. With a bit of regular pruning, you’ll have no trouble. It provides a comfortable cover for nervous fish, and fry love it as do shrimps of every color and type.
Guppy Grass (AKA Najas Grass) is pretty flexible when it comes to tank conditions. It’s best to keep it in water between 68 – 79 degrees, but will still do well outside that range. And it likes a pH between 6 and 7, or even higher. You don’t worry about water softness, this is a very hardy species.
Keeping Your Plants Healthy
Live plants grow and respire, and for them to grow just like living creatures, they require conditions for growth, nourishment, and survival. Healthy plants also create a healthy environment for your aquarium’s inhabitants. Understanding the aquatic plants’ basic needs helps them grow healthy. Each plant has unique environment and maintenance requirements in order to really thrive, so once you decide which you want in your tank, take a closer look at their individual needs. But overall, all plants need a few basic things to grow and thrive in your aquarium.
Clean Soft Water
Most plant species do great in water, with a pH of 6.5-7.8. Require hardness of 50ppm-100ppm and alkalinity of 54ppm-140ppm. Nitrates should be below 10ppm and phosphates below 0.5 ppm to prevent the growth of algae on leaves.Â
It is crucial to change the water once a week or in every two weeks to reduce debris and production of ammonia in the water, which can lead to disturbance to the aquatic inhabitants. By changing water, organic pollutants that tint water to black and reduce easy light penetration are removed.Â
Proper circulation is very important in the aqua-system since there is a proper supply of nutrients, inhibit the growth of algae and also prevent the accumulation of organic debris on leaves. When water chemistry changes in the tank, one may start noticing unhealthy holes in the leaves.
Light Requirements
Plants need light to nourish and acquire the green coloring matter called chlorophyll. Some plant species need more light to thrive; therefore, choosing the right light is needed.Â
A stronger light such as LED lights is needed since light does not penetrate easily in water and helps in plants’ growth. Put lights on for around 10-12 hours each day. Due to poor lighting, plants may start turning yellow and have low growth rates.
Suitable Substrate
Having the right substrate for your aquatic plants is essential for proper root development and supporting rooted plants. Fine gravel and medium-grade gravel are the best kind of textures for a substrate.Â
Avoid using ultra-fine sand as it does not breathe and coarse gravel as it does not offer good root support and mostly collects organic debris. Make a habit of always rinsing your substrate before placing it in your aquarium.
Nutrients
Minerals are vital in the growth of plants. The minerals commonly used by plants are sodium and phosphorous. Fish food and waste products produce a lot of sodium and phosphorous for the plants.Â
The aquatic plants may start shrinking due to fewer nutrients. Excessive phosphates can also be a threat to the aqua-system since leaves may start turning black. Make sure to always put a required amount of nutrients in the tank for healthier plants.
Carbon (IV) oxide
During the day, plants consume carbon (IV) oxide and give out oxygen, while at night, the reverse process occurs. An adequate amount of air helps in the better growth of plants and increases their size and color.Â
Due to little amounts of carbon (IV) oxide in plants, there may be a poor growth rate of the plants, and some plants may start changing their color to yellow.
Take care of the above if you want to give your plants the best chance to thrive. If you do see any unhealthy plants, you should remove them right away and plant or propagate new ones in their place. It is important to keep your plants healthy because they give your fish a healthy environment to live in. Healthy plants mean happy fish. Plus, healthy plants decorate your aquarium and help it look vibrant and alive.