Aquatic Plant Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular aquatic plants with care guides, traits, and aquascaping tips.
Showing 10 of 67 species
Cryptocoryne parva
Cryptocoryne parva
The smallest Cryptocoryne species. Used as a foreground plant, growing very slowly. Once established it is hardy and easy to maintain. Grows without CO2 in low light.
Dwarf Hairgrass
Eleocharis parvula
A foreground plant with fine thread-like leaves spreading as a carpet. Propagates by runners across wide areas. Creates beautiful green carpet with CO2 and adequate light. Grows well in sandy substrates.
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.
© Show_ryu / CC BY-SA 3.0Eriocaulon Cinereum
Eriocaulon cinereum
A beautiful pipewort with radiating thin leaves. Small, perfect as foreground accent.
© Murray Fagg / CC BY-SA 3.0Glossostigma
Glossostigma elatinoides
The most popular foreground plant in aquascaping. Forms a lush green carpet by creeping along the substrate. Requires CO2 and strong light but grows explosively under optimal conditions. A Nature Aquarium staple.
© Botaurus / Public domainHairgrass
Avenella flexuosa
A foreground plant with thin thread-like leaves spreading like a meadow. Spreads by runners creating natural aquascapes.
© 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.
© Monarchatto / CC BY-SA 4.0Marsilea Hirsuta
Marsilea hirsuta
A foreground plant with four-leaf clover shaped leaves. Mysteriously becomes single leaf underwater.
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.
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.
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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.