Explore The Stunning And Growing Aquarium Plants

Who does not love fishies? We all do? Remember when you were small, having your first fish bowl with a goldfish in it?

The sad part is that your poor fishy did not survive long. Ask me, I know. Still, even as sad as it was, things would be different if I knew what I know today.

Why? Because I did not know you could add fish and plants in an aquarium to help keep my fish alive. So, today, Plantly decided to help by providing you with some of the best house plants to place in your freshwater aquarium.

Not only will your aquarium look beautiful, but these plants will keep your fish tank water quality at its best and keep your plants alive.

Why Tank Water is Beneficial for Plants

So, why is tank water quality so beneficial for your plants? If you have a house plant, you know you need to feed them to provide new growth. You use a fertilizer made up of an NPK value:

  • Nitrogen (N)

  • Phosphorus (P)

  • Potassium (K)

These three main contributors provide macronutrients to almost any house plant, even your aquatic plants. Some plants need it in larger quantities, while other nutrients needed are little.

So, why grow plants in an aquarium? Well, the poop from your fish and shrimp provides food for your plants with Phosphorus in the form of Phosphates to Nitrogen compounds like Nitrate. Aquarium plants use these compounds to build amino acids converted to protein.

fish in an aquarium

It is the building block of your plants, and with a well-stocked tank, you can provide enough of both for your plants to grow. Thus when you grow plants emersed, it sucks up the nutrients. As a result, your house plants have access to a higher CO2 in the air compared to live aquarium plants.

The reason is that the Carbon Dioxide injected into the water is limited, and the more efficiently your live plants grow, the cleaner your water remains in the fish tank. Planting houseplants in a fish tank prevents algae growth and provides shelter for your fish.

Houseplants For Aquarium

When you plant houseplants in an aquarium, it is known as aquaponics, as it combines aquaculture with hydroponics. So, you can see it as a food production system where the waste provides nutrients for your plants in an aquarium.

In return, your plants help purify the aquarium water, keep your fish alive, and provide shelter. Yet, many people associate their fish tank with specific aquatic plants or herbs like lettuce.

Still, many other plants are available in freshwater fish tanks, and we have them listed here. But before we get to them, a question keeps popping up. Can you grow Anthuriums in water? The answer follows here:

Anthurium in Aquarium?

The truth is, according to the UBC Botanical Garden, the answer is NO! According to them, no species in the genus can survive in water. There are some species like

  • Anthurium sagittatum

  • Anthurium riparium

  • Anthurium amnicola

  • Anthurium werfii

  • Anthurium antiquiense

These species grow as riparians in very high water during the rainy season but have not existed for a long time. In comparison, Anthurium amnicola and the species mentioned above grow as rheophytes.

These outdoor plants have roots attached to large stones in streams with fast water flow but are not aquatic. Lastly, the plants roots are attached to the rock near the water surface. Hence, they are known as litho-fit (rock dwellers.)

According to botanist Dr. Tom Croat, there is no such thing as an aquatic Anthurium species in the world. So, do not try to grow plants like the Anthurium with the roots submerged in water only.

Now that we have cleared the air let’s start looking at some houseplants to grow as freshwater aquarium plants.

Philodendron Houseplants in Aquarium

Now, not all Philodendron species can grow in a fish tank. The two best house plants to grow in water are the Philodendron cordatum (Heart-Leaf Philodendron) and the Philodendron micans (Velvet-Leaf Vine Philodendron.)

These two houseplants are similar when it comes to their growing needs. The difference is that the Velvet-Leaf Philodendron grows horizontally while the Heart-Leaf Philodendron shoots straight up.

Another notable thing is that you can submerge the roots in the water, but the vines must remain in the open air. Your fish will nibble on the roots as they are not toxic, but the leaves should never touch the water surface as it will make your fish turn belly up.

These plants will clean out toxins in the water like ammonia, Nitrate, and nitrite; they are the easiest plants to grow. But to clean out large amounts of carbon dioxide, you can add an aquatic plant to achieve the best results.

Thus, it is a win-win situation, but keep monitoring the health of your plants.

Pothos are Great Freshwater Aquarium Plants

pothos in an aquarium @flickr

Epipremnum aureum, better known as Pothos, is a popular aquarium plant known as Devil’s Ivy. The plant is difficult to kill, survives in low light, and grows well in hydroponic systems.

The big concern with Philodendrons is that the foliage is toxic to humans and animals. So, it can grow in a fish tank if only the root is submerged and the leaves remain away from the water.

With their green leaves, these indoor plants grow fast in water with loads of fish waste and heavy bioloads. Still, before you plant houseplants in your fish tank, wash off the roots well from the fertilizer and dirt.

If you have planteating fish, we recommend placing your Pothos in a hang-on-back filter away from the filter motor to prevent roots from growing into the impeller. Your plant will develop long vines you can guide up a wall or along shelving.

The stringy roots create a jungle for your fish to swim around. So, as with Philodendron, keep your Pothos partially submerged.

Spider Plants in Fish Tank Water

The scientific name Chlorophytum comosum, the Spider Plant, makes for excellent foreground plants in a fish tank. Still, the Spider Plants are terrestrial plants that live on the edge of ponds. They thrive in high moisture and grow well in fish tank water.

Still, as with the other house plants, it must not be submerged in the water. Keep the root tips in the water with the crown above the water line to prevent the foliage from getting wet. Nonetheless, do not expect the plant to clean the water, as you still need to change the water every five to seven days.

So, check for a color change in the water to know it is time to freshen it up. Another notable thing is to keep the water temperature suitable for the plant to grow. The plant, as mentioned, can thrive in low to moderate light.

Monstera Plant Options in a Planted Aquarium

Monstera is another plant with broad leaves that can thrive in water conditions. Still, one must remember that the Monstera is not an aquatic plant but highly adaptable to different growing conditions.

Another notable thing is you can grow them in water, but they will not grow enormous as a Monstera deliciosa growing in a container with well-drained soil. Also, while it is a beginner-friendly plant to grow, always keep an eye on your plant.

Still, as with most houseplants compared to aquarium plants, they must not be fully submerged in the water. Only allow the root to be in the water with the crown above it, allowing it to climb.

Moneywort a Live Aquarium Plant

The scientific name for Moneywort is Bacopa monnieri, which belongs to the Scropulariacase family. It is an easy-growing houseplant suitable for a planted tank. The best part is it can grow partially or fully submerged in water.

The plant grows up to 12 inches tall or taller under the right growing conditions. It grows horizontally to reach the water’s surface, especially when untrimmed. The only concern is that it is susceptible to fluctuating water temperatures when unstable.

Java Fern is One of The Best House Plants For Fish Tanks

java fern @flickr

The Java Fern, the scientific name Microsorum pteropus, grows up to eight inches tall and attaches easily to rocks or wood. It is a slow-growing plant, but once established, it grows well. These house plants work so well as aquatic plants because they grow along freshwater rivers, streams, and banks.

You can attach the twig-like structure of the Java Fern above the aquarium substrate with the roots in the water. Most fish do not eat the Java Fern and have a good chance of survival under the correct lighting conditions.

The Java Fern has tiny leaves that produce spores that you can propagate quickly. Additionally, you can also go for the African Water Fern, which is another ideal option.

Peace Lilies are Remarkable Live Aquarium Plants

peace lilies in an aquarium @flickr

The scientific name Spathiphyllum or Peace Lilies is a unique plant that can grow in aquaponics, fish tank water, and aquariums. It has deep green leaves that are huge and propagate quickly. Still, the roots need to be trimmed to control the growth.

The plant maintenance is low and thrives in temperatures of 60°F to 80°F with pH levels between 5.8 and 6.5. The Peace Lilies can reach up to 24 inches and need no fertilizer but bright lighting.

As with most planted aquariums using house plants, the crown needs to remain above water to survive.

Snake Plant For a Planted Tank

Dracaena trifasciata, better known as the Snake Plant, has a stunning narrow leaf. The plant is known to remove toxins from the air and symbolize good luck. So, when placed in a fish tank, it is sure to bring good vibes.

Another essential thing to remember is that a substrate plant needs something to anchor the root ball. Still, the plant maintenance is low, and the temperatures for the plant range between 55°F to 85°F with pH levels between 5.0 and 8.5.

The plant size is three feet under the right growing conditions and ensures that the crown is not submerged.

Lucky Bamboo

Dracaena sanderiana, or Lucky Bamboo, is a common house plant grown in water-filled vases. For aquarium plant options, the Lucky Bamboo is ideal and unique. Why? This Bamboo can withstand seasonal flooding to even dry spells.

Preferably, you need a fish tank that can hold up to five gallons of water and more to support the small clusters of shoots. The plant can grow partially to fully submerged but needs ideal water conditions.

The water temperatures need to be 59°F to 80°F with pH levels of 6.0 to 6.5.

How To Design Plants in an Aquarium

plants in aquarium @flickr

If you’re new to decorating your fish tank with aquarium plants, you do not want to overspend on investing in supplies.

So, we are here to help you achieve this by placing the best background plant to foreground plants in your tank. Also, we recommend inserting substrates containing nutrients if you want to add a substrate.

Another notable thing about using live aquarium plants is that it also helps to add some hardscapes like driftwood and rocks that are safe for your fish tank.

Use Pothos and Philodendrons to Cover the Surface

While the Pothos and Philodendron grow best partially submerged, it makes for great live plants to cover the surface of your aquarium. Still, how do you achieve this?

  1. Start with a cutting by taking a piece of the stem a few inches long with several leaves. Next, remove the bottom leaves and place your cutting in dechlorinated water.

  2. Leave the cutting undisturbed in indirect sunlight and allow it to develop roots. Also, change the water once a week or when it becomes cloudy.

  3. Once the roots reach four to six inches long, you can transfer them to the aquarium and anchor them, leaving only the root system underwater.

Other Materials You Can Use For Your Live Aquarium Plants

In our previous discussion, we mentioned anchoring your plants, as most plants grown as houseplants must be partly submerged. Here are some helpful items you can use to anchor your plants.

Hang On The Back Filter

A common and easy way to help you grow your plants is with a HOB. You can remove the cover and place your plant’s roots in the water while using the filter material as an anchor. Alternatively, you can replace the media with some LECA clay balls to help increase the surface area, helping beneficial bacteria grow.

Fish Breeder boxes

fish breeder

You can find acrylic fish breeder boxes with suction cups to hold media and your plants. These are available with hanging on the back function to prevent fish tank overcrowding. You find them in multiple sizes and chambers.

Airline Tubing Suction Cups

Another great way to grow your Pothos plant or other plants is using airline tubing suction cups. With a thick stem, it can wedge it with a grip. Or you can use suction cups with zip ties as another option. It is a great way to keep your plants crown above the water.

Glass Plant Cups

For your Bamboo, using glass plant cups that are suction cupped to a wall is another ideal way to grow live plants in fish tanks. Hence, it works like a water column to ensure your plant remains healthy.

Using Egg Crates

Egg care is placed on top of your aquarium, allowing the root to remain in the water while the plant’s crown remains above the water. The best part is you can cut the egg crate to size using a wire cutter to provide your fish tank with a lid.

Paludarium Style Tanks

Paludarium

But if you want to go all the way and start from scratch, the Paludarium-style tanks are the best. The fish tank features an aquatic and terrestrial section.

You can place your terrestrial plants on top of the wood and rocks to form a hill using some aquarium substrate to grow. Then, place some aquarium plants that can live in water at the bottom.

The nice thing is you can find several tutorials on setting up your tank to make it look gorgeous.

Steps to Propagate and Root Your House Plants in an Aquarium

Okay, you cannot just remove your plant from a container if the primary source is soil. You will need to allow the plant to acclimate to the water conditions. The best way to do this is through propagation.

  1. We recommend you first identify the location of your species where you want to snip a cutting from the parent plant. Not all plants you want to root in water will have nodes, but most plants do.

  2. Always sterilize the pruning shears, knives, or scissors before you cut your plant.

  3. Then, make a careful cut below a node about a 1/4 inch below it using your knife.

  4. Then, place the cut end into the fish tank and ensure that the leaves remain above the water line.

When you do water propagation in a container, you normally need to replenish the water every other day to keep it fresh and prevent your cutting from rotting. Yet, as the aquarium water is filtered and oxidated, there is no need to do this, and you will notice a root system growing in a couple of weeks.

Will I Need to Feed My Plants

Your plants are living creatures and will need feeding occasionally. The best is to use a slow-release fertilizer designed for aquarium plants. Avoid using one with phosphate, as algae thrive on it.

Your plants will receive their needed nutrients through the normal fish tank setup from the substrate used in the water, but it is not enough. Hence, it helps to provide your plants with added nutrients as well.

Hence, using liquid fertilizers is an easy way to provide your plant with the food it needs to thrive. The fertilizer will provide plants with magnesium, potassium, Phosphorus, sulfur, to carbon, depending on the species you place in the fish tank.

Final Thought

As we reach the end of our article, we assume you have gone through all the recommendations. These are suggested plants to use in a fish tank or aquarium. These plants are not demanding; some thrive on too much light, while others love moderate or high light.

Most of these aquarium plants can take some abuse and work well if you have a busy schedule, as they will keep rewarding you with beautiful foliage. But before you start with your aquarium plants, remember to provide them with water quality, temperature, and light.

Another important thing is to keep the crown of your plant above the water, or it will die quickly. So, are you ready to get started and not have a houseplant? Then check out the ones we do have available to start.

Whether you want to buy, sell, or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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