Easy Aquarium Plants for Beginners: Java Fern, Anubias, Crypts, Moss and More
Live plants make a huge difference to any aquarium. They soak up waste, compete with algae, give fish and shrimp somewhere to hide, and make a tank look alive. The good news is that some of the best aquarium plants are also the easiest. None of the plants in this guide need CO2, special soil or strong lighting, and most of them are very hard to kill.
Here are the easy plants I recommend most, and how to keep each one happy.
Two kinds of easy plants
Before you start, it helps to know that easy plants fall into two groups, because they are planted differently:
- Plants you attach: Java fern, anubias and mosses grow on wood and rocks. Java fern and anubias have a thick stem (called a rhizome) that rots if it is buried, so tie or glue them on instead of planting them in the substrate. Mosses are attached the same way.
- Plants you plant or float: Crypts, vallisneria, elodea, hornwort and water sprite go in the substrate or simply float.
Plants you attach to wood or rock
Java fern
One of the toughest plants in the hobby. It grows slowly in low light, fish rarely eat it, and it is happy in almost any tank, including with shell dwellers and other diggers. Tie it to wood or a rock with cotton thread or use a little superglue gel. Over time it produces small baby plants on its leaves that you can pull off and grow on. Java fern also comes in smaller and finer forms, including needle leaf, mini, micro and Philippine java fern. Shop java fern
Anubias
Thick, dark green leaves that are almost indestructible. Anubias grow slowly, so they are perfect for nano tanks where you want a plant that stays small and neat. Like java fern, attach them to wood or rock and keep the rhizome above the substrate. They prefer lower light, as strong light can cause algae on their slow-growing leaves. Shop Anubias nana petite
Java moss and other mosses
Moss is one of the best things you can add to a shrimp or breeding tank. It traps food that shrimp and fry graze on, and gives babies somewhere to hide. Java moss is the easiest to grow. Spread a thin layer over wood or rock and tie it down, and it will attach itself over a few weeks. Once you are hooked, try Cameroon moss, fissidens or subwassertang. Shop java moss
Plants you plant in the substrate
Cryptocoryne (crypts)
Crypts are low-light rosette plants that come in greens, browns and reds. They feed through their roots, so they do best in a nutrient-rich substrate or with a root tab pushed in nearby. Be patient after planting. Crypts often "melt", dropping their leaves when they are moved to a new tank. Leave the roots in place and new leaves will grow back within a few weeks. Good choices include wendtii 'Mi Oya', undulata red, and the small parva and x willisii for the front of the tank. Shop Crypt wendtii Mi Oya
Vallisneria
Long, ribbon-like leaves that sway in the current and make a great background. Vallisneria spreads by sending out runners with new plants, so one bunch soon becomes a meadow. Plant it with the white crown just above the substrate. Try tiger, medium or thin vallisneria depending on your tank size. Shop tiger vallisneria
Plants you can plant or float
Elodea
A fast-growing stem plant with bright green leaves. It is brilliant at soaking up nutrients and keeping algae down, and it loves cooler water, which makes it a favourite for unheated tanks, outdoor tubs and ponds. Plant the stems in the substrate or let them float. Trim the tops when they reach the surface and replant the cuttings to fill out your tank. Shop elodea
Hornwort
Hornwort has no real roots, so you can float it or weigh it down. It grows fast in almost any conditions and provides dense cover for fry. It can drop some of its needles when it first goes into a new tank, but once it settles in it takes off. Shop hornwort
Water sprite
Water sprite grows planted or floating, and is one of the most forgiving plants you can buy. It grows quickly, gives excellent cover, and makes baby plantlets on its leaves that you can grow into new plants. Choose coarse for broad leaves or fine for feathery fronds. Shop coarse water sprite
Simple tips for healthy plants
- Light: 6 to 8 hours a day is plenty. Leaving lights on longer does not help plants and mostly grows algae.
- Feeding: Fish waste feeds plants a lot. In a lightly stocked tank, a liquid fertiliser for floating and attached plants and root tabs for crypts and vallisneria will help. If you keep shrimp, always use a shrimp-safe fertiliser.
- Start with lots of plants: A heavily planted tank from day one keeps algae down far better than adding a few plants at a time.
- Add floating plants: They soak up spare nutrients quickly and starve algae. My floating plants guide covers the best ones.
- Be patient: Some leaves may melt or yellow as a plant adjusts to your water. Give it a few weeks before deciding it is not working.
Please never release aquarium plants
Many hardy aquarium plants can become serious weeds in Australian creeks and dams. Never tip plants or tank water into drains, waterways or the garden near water. Bin or compost any trimmings you do not need, or pass them on to another fishkeeper.
Why I love easy plants
Every tank in my fish room has plants in it, and most of them are the plants in this guide. They do not need fancy equipment, they keep the water healthier, and fish and shrimp are calmer and more colourful with them. If you are new to live plants, start with a few from this list and you will be surprised how quickly your tank comes to life.
If you have any questions about which plants suit your tank, email me at elyza@handpickedaquatics.com. Happy to help.
Cheers,
Elyza
Hand Picked Aquatics