Top Aquarium Plants for a Thriving Underwater Environment

Aquarium plants serve more than an ornamental purpose–they are key to recreating a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Whether you are just starting your journey or an experienced aquarist, adding appropriate plants can help improve water quality, give shelter for fish, and create a more natural habitat.

Read our guide to the best aquatic plant species to keep your water garden in full bloom. You’ll learn about their benefits, how to care for them, and why they work for freshwater tanks.

Why Are Plants Important in an Aquarium?

Before we get into the best plants out there, let’s take a moment to discuss why adding live plants to your aquarium is a good idea.

1. Improves Water Quality

Live plants absorb harmful toxins such as ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, and help maintain stable water parameters. This lowers the chance of stress and disease in fish.

2. It Generates Oxygen and Lowers Carbon Dioxide

As a byproduct of photosynthesis, plants release oxygen into the water, which is used by fish and other aquatic life. They also soak up extra carbon dioxide and prevent damaging pH changes.

3. Shelter, Cover and Natural Hiding Spots

Many fishes, particularly small or timid species, require hiding spots in order to feel safe. Plants protect from aggressive tank mates and reduce stress.

4. Controls Algae Growth

Having live plants takes nutrients away from algae, reducing unwanted growth, and helping to keep the tank looking fresh.

5. Enhances Aesthetic Appeal

A well-planted aquarium not only looks awesome, it imitates the natural fish habitats, making it less stressful and more visually pleasing for its inhabitants.

Good Aquarium Plants For A Successful Tank

Having touched the benefits let us dive into some of the best aquatic plants to keep your aquarium healthy and beautiful.

1. Microsorum pteropus (Java Fern)

Java Fern is a hardy plant that can survive in many different conditions making it excellent for beginners. It has wide green leaves and does not need soil to grow.

✅ Care Level: Easy

✅ Lighting: Low to moderate

✅ Growth Rate: Slow

✅ Perfect Position: Middle or background

✅ Important Notes: You attach it to driftwood or rocks rather than plant it in the substrate.

This makes Java Fern a great option for aquariums containing herbivorous fish, as its hardy leaves cannot be consumed easily.

2. Anubias (Anubias barteri, Anubias nana, etc.)

Another low-maintenance, slow-growing plant with thick, dark green foliage is Anubias, which is unrivaled for effortless aquatic beauty. It can be tied to rocks or driftwood, the same as Java Fern.

✅ Care Level: Easy

✅ Lighting: Low to moderate

✅ Growth Rate: Slow

✅ Best Placement: Foreground or midground

Special Notes: Do not bury the rhizome in the substrate, as it will rot.

Anubias is perfect for community tanks, and is comparatively low-maintenance while looking breathtakingly natural.

3. Echinodorus amazonicus (Amazon Sword)

The Amazon Sword is a beautiful plant with long, sword-shaped leaves that provide great coverage for fish and shrimp. The good news is, it is easier in larger tanks as it is a rather large fish.

✅ Care Level: Moderate

✅ Lighting: Moderate to high

✅ Growth Rate: Fast

✅ Ideal Placement: Background

They do tend to get large, so regular trimming may be required. They work great for tanks with cichlids, tetras, and angelfish.

4. Taxiphyllum barbieri (Java Moss)

Java Moss is among easiest plants to grow; they are ideal for shrimp tanks and breeding aquariums. It has a heavy carpet-like effect and flourishes in all conditions.

✅ Care Level: Very easy

✅ Lighting: Low to moderate

✅ Rates of Growth: Slow to moderate

✅ Best Location: Job 12:14, on ornaments

✅ Additional Information: Can be attached to driftwood and rocks, or distributed on the substrate.

Java Moss can be grown in tangled mats which help reduce nitrates and provide hiding spots for baby fish and shrimp.

5. Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)

Hornwort—this plant grows quickly and oxygenates the water while suppressing algae. It can be planted or allowed to float freely in the tank.

✅ Care Level: Easy

✅ Lighting: Low to high

✅ Growth Rate: Fast

✅ Best Used: As background or floating

Special Notes: Grows quickly and needs regular trimming.

Hornwort is a great beginner plant, and comes particularly handy in goldfish tanks, because it cleans the water.

6. Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)

This plant is one of the most popular aquascaping plants because of its beautiful lace-like leaves and its ability to grow in a variety of water conditions.

✅ Care Level: Easy

✅ Lighting: Moderate to high

✅ Growth Rate: Fast

✅ Ideal Placement: Background

✅ ADDITIONAL INFO: Can be planted in the substrate or left floating.

It is a balanced plant that absorbs excess nutrients in the tank.

7. Cryptocoryne (Crypts)

Cryptocorynes are easy upkeep plants boasting wide foliage found in many different hues such as green, red and brown.

✅ Care Level: Easy

✅ Lighting: Low to moderate

✅ Growth Rate: Slow

✅ Best place to put it: Midground or background

✅ Special Notes: Prone to sudden type change in water conditions.

They are excellent for making a natural aquascape and are, in fact, safe for most fish.

8. Vallisneria (e.g., Vallisneria spiralis, Vallisneria americana, etc.)

Vallisneria is better known as Val, and is a tall grass-like plant that grows long, flowing leaves giving the appearance of an under water meadow.

✅ Care Level: Easy

✅ Lighting: Moderate

✅ Growth Rate: Fast

✅ Ideal Placement: Background

✅ Special Notes: Quickly spreads by process of runners through the substrate

The plant is great for Oxygenating the tank and provide shade for fish.

Caring For Plants In The Aquarium

Here are some care tips to keep your plants healthy and thriving:

1. Provide the Right Lighting

Give most aquarium plants 8 – 10 hours of light every day. Consider energy-saving lights, which also help plants grow, such as LED lights.

2. Use Nutrient-Rich Substrate

Certain plants require a substrate high in nutrients, such as Fluval Stratum or Eco-Complete, for optimal growth. It is great for root feeding plants like Amazon Swords and Crypts.

3. Fertilize When Needed

Liquid fertilizers and root tabs ensure important vitamins such as potassium, nitrogen and iron.

4. Prune and Deadhead Plants często

Routine trimming helps prevent overgrowth and keeps your tank tidy. Prune dying or yellow leaves to preserve water quality.

5. Ensure Proper CO₂ Levels

Low-tech tanks don’t require extra CO₂; but high-light aquariums need CO₂ injection to promote plant growth.