Aquatic Plant Encyclopedia

A Cryptocoryne with long, strap-like, strongly hammered leaves that can exceed 50 cm, used as a background thicket. Native to hard limestone waters, it shows twisted leaves when short of calcium.

A Sri Lankan Cryptocoryne with brown, slightly wavy and sometimes marbled leaves. It grows without fertiliser in low light, and the more light and nutrients it gets, the lower and denser it becomes. A broad-leaved triploid form is also traded.

A large Cryptocoryne from Guimaras in the Philippines. Its embossed leaves, 3–5 cm wide, grow beyond 50 cm and turn wine-red beneath under good light and fertilisation. It likes hard water and is not eaten by fish.

A form of the Sri Lankan Cryptocoryne walkeri, once treated as the species C. lutea. Its 8–12 cm leaves have finely wavy margins on the lower half. Both purple-red and green-brown plants are sold under the name.

A foreground-midground plant growing densely like lawn. Very hardy, spreads quickly by runners.

A large hybrid sword plant with long, leathery leaves up to about 60 cm. Young leaves are vivid red-brown with conspicuously pale veins. Bred by Hans Barth of Dessau.

Representative large aquatic plant also called Amazon Sword. Ideal for mid to background. Propagates by runners, easy for beginners.

An aquatic moss whose sparsely branched shoots twist upward like rising flames. It spreads little sideways, so it is attached to the tops of wood or stones to add height.

Small oval floating leaves cover the surface. Fine hairs on leaves repel water. Fast multiplier with strong water purification. Popular for medaka and betta tanks.

A large vallisneria with tough ribbon leaves about 2 cm wide that grow over 1 m long and spread across the surface. It multiplies freely by runners and resists herbivorous fish. Naturalised in Japan and listed as a Priority Control Alien Species.

A green variety of Rotala rotundifolia. Dense bright green leaves create lush background bushes. Easier than red varieties. Replant trimmings to increase density.

A cute aquatic plant with clover-like trifoliate leaves. Grows horizontally, ideal for midground.

An extremely hardy and fast-growing stem plant. Perfect as a first plant for beginners. Grows in any condition.

A fern aquatic plant from Southeast Asia. Attaches to driftwood and rocks, popular for its unique leaf shape.

A narrow-leaved form of Java fern. Its long leaves, about 1–2 cm wide, spread from the rhizome at a wider angle than the standard plant. Compact and easy to tie onto wood or stone, though differently shaped plants are sold under the same name.

The most widely used moss in aquascaping. Simply attach to driftwood or rocks for a natural look. Ideal hiding spot for shrimp fry. Perfect for absolute beginners.