Aquatic Plant Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular aquatic plants with care guides, traits, and aquascaping tips.
Showing 7 of 67 species
Elatine hydropiper
Elatine hydropiper
Adorable tiny round-leaved foreground plant. Even smaller than Glossostigma, creating a delicate green carpet. Needs high light and CO2 but looks great in compact tanks.
Eriocaulon aquaticum
Eriocaulon aquaticum
Sea urchin-like radial leaves make this a striking high-difficulty plant. Demands soft water, low pH, high light, and CO2. Small rosette ideal for foreground. Popular among enthusiasts.
© Show_ryu / CC BY-SA 3.0Eriocaulon Cinereum
Eriocaulon cinereum
A beautiful pipewort with radiating thin leaves. Small, perfect as foreground accent.
© Ranjith-chemmad / CC BY-SA 4.0Hemianthus callitrichoides
Hemianthus callitrichoides
One of the worlds smallest aquatic plants. Tiny leaves create a dense beautiful green carpet. Advanced foreground plant.
Madagascar Lace Plant
Aponogeton madagascariensis
A mystical plant where only leaf veins remain, creating lace-like appearance. Advanced species from Madagascar.
© Dinesh Valke from Thane, India / CC BY-SA 2.0Rotala Macrandra
Rotala macrandra
A very beautiful high-difficulty plant with deep crimson leaves. Queen of aquatic plants turning red with CO2 and strong light.
Tonina fluviatilis
Tonina fluviatilis
Beautiful star-shaped whorled leaves from Brazil. Requires soft, acidic water — challenging conditions. Stunning star rosettes when conditions are met. A challenge for experts.
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Aquatic Plant FAQ
- How much do aquatic plants cost?
- Common Rotala and Anubias cost 300-1,000 yen, Bucephalandra 1,000-5,000 yen, and rare wild-collected specimens 5,000-20,000+ yen depending on species.
- Can beginners grow aquatic plants?
- Anubias Nana and Java Moss require no CO2 injection and grow in low light, making them ideal for beginners. Start with hardy shade-loving plants.
- What equipment is needed for aquatic plants?
- A tank, LED light, filter, and aqua soil are the basics. For advanced layouts, CO2 injection and high-performance lighting significantly improve growth and coloration.
- What should I check when buying aquatic plants?
- Ensure leaves are green and healthy, not melting or dying, and free of snails or pests. Tissue-cultured cups are pest-free and reliable.
- Why do aquatic plants die?
- Insufficient light, CO2, or nutrients are the main causes. Each species has different requirements, so matching the environment to your specific plants is essential.