Aquatic Plant Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular aquatic plants with care guides, traits, and aquascaping tips.
Showing 36 of 67 species(25–36)
Microsorum Trident
Microsorum pteropus
A microsorum with distinctive trident-shaped thin leaves. Delicate look suits small tanks too.
New Large Pearl Grass
Micranthemum sp. 'Monte Carlo'
A foreground plant with larger leaves than Pearl Grass. Spreads carpet-like, naturally forming dome shapes. Beginner-popular as it grows without CO2. The fluffy texture is charming.
Nymphaea Lotus Green
Nymphaea lotus
A water lily relative with beautiful green leaves. Becomes focal point when placed in midground.
Pearl Grass
Micranthemum umbrosum
A stem plant with small round leaves strung like pearls. Used in mid to background planting. Produces beautiful bubbles in water. CO2 injection encourages lush growth.
© Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA 4.0Red Root Floater
Phyllanthus fluitans
A floating plant with beautiful red roots and round leaves. Red roots floating on surface add accent.
Rotala
Rotala spp.
Essential background stem plant genus. Many species including R. rotundifolia and R. indica. Beautiful red coloration and dense bushes achievable through trimming.
Staurogyne Repens
Staurogyne repens
South American low-growing plant for foreground to midground. Hardy and easy to grow, even without CO2. Forms beautiful green bushes when densely planted. Tolerates trimming well.
Tiger Lotus
Nymphaea lotus
A water lily relative with beautiful round leaves featuring red-brown spots. Creates accent in tank midground.
© Kevin Thiele from Perth, Australia / CC BY 2.0Vallisneria Nana
Vallisneria nana
A small vallisneria with thin leaves swaying coolly. Hardy and easy for beginners to grow.
Vallisneria spiralis
Vallisneria spiralis
A background plant with long ribbon-like leaves that wave in water current. Propagates abundantly by runners, creating a natural river scene. Hardy in low light without CO2. Often used in goldfish tanks.
Water Sprite
Ceratopteris thalictroides
A fern with beautiful pinnate delicate leaves. Versatile plant that grows floating or planted.
© No machine-readable author provided. S.Tanaka~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). / Public domainWillow Moss
Taxiphyllum barbieri
Epiphytic moss that attaches to driftwood and rocks. Perfect shrimp shelter. No CO2 needed, beginner-friendly.
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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.