Choosing the Right Aquatic Plants For Your Home Aquarium

Many hobbyists choose to include a range of aquatic plants in their aquariums to add beauty and balance to the décor. They also help to provide a more natural fish habitat and act as a source of oxygen for the tank water. However, some plants are more demanding than others and may require a little extra care to flourish. The most common mistake made by aquarists is to neglect to regularly fertilize their plants, believing that the waste from their fish and uneaten food will be enough to sustain them. This is not the case, however and over time plants will suffer from discolouration, stunted growth and holes in their leaves if they are starved of nutrients. Fertilisers are therefore very important for successful planted aquariums and one of the most cost effective investments a hobbyist can make.

A number of common aquatic plants do well in the home aquarium and most are easy to look after. These include Java fern (Cypogon sp.), Vallisneria and Cryptocoryne wendtii (crypts). All are able to grow well partially or fully submerged, but it is advisable to plant them in the background of the tank so that their leaves don’t shade other plants. They can be easily buried in the substrate or attached to rocks and driftwood. All of these plants need good light to thrive, but it is best to use a substrate mix that does not contain too much fine sand or gravel as this will pack together and inhibit the flow of water in the aquarium.

Vallisneria is an emerald green, long-legged grass like plant found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It grows up to 5 feet tall, producing a dense cover at the water’s surface and is very popular with tropical community aquarium enthusiasts. Vallisneria has a lot of tolerance for different water parameters and lighting conditions, but it should be kept away from the filter return as this can lead to nutrient leaching. It needs regular pruning to keep its size in check as it can quickly grow out of control and block light from other lower growing foreground plants.

Cryptocoryne wendtii, or crypts are another very common plant in the aquarium. They are known for melting back a little when first introduced to a new tank with a different water chemistry, but they will soon recover and start growing again. The plants are often conditioned out of water before being sold at pet stores to speed up their acclimation to freshwater. This process is referred to as ‘crypt melt’ and is not uncommon, but once the plant has re-established itself it will do very well.

Sword plants are another common aquarium plant, and there are a few species that are suitable for the home. They can be buried in the substrate, but it is best to plant them so that their crown, the base of the plant where all the leaves come out, is just above the substrate level.