Hardy plant that will live in sand substrate?

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I have anubias in sand substrate, but it is mostly above the sand, attached to a piece of drift wood. But it grows well. I also have swords that do well in the sand. Vals do well, but they get REALLY long. Java fern does alright, I don't like the way they propagate, but they are still a pretty cool plant.
 
Really most plants will do just fine in sand.... I have crypts, valiseneria, some other sort of taller plant that comes from a bulb, anacharis although sometimes i have trouble gettimg it to stay in the sand since ot doesnt put down a heavy root system, and sagiteria. All in sand and all doin just fine

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Amazon swords are heavy root feeders and grow really large. I don't think they are a good candidate unless you can accommodate their needs. For those saying they are growing fine in sand, I don't think you have had them long enough to know that they will eventually die without any root tabs or other fertilization. Reason anacharis grows fine is cause it gathers its nutrients from it leaves. It is not really meant to be buried like a rooted plant. For anubias and java fern make sure those rhizomes are above soil (for those that don't know) or else they will rot. Crypts are pretty adaptable I have grown them in less than ideal conditions. I don't really recommend any root plants for plain sand. Now, if you use root tabs or your sand is really aged/mature the plants will OK in the soil. Using Vals and Dwarf sag, they will just sit there and do nothing. They will grow in plain sand but will barely grow and propagate.
 
Tiller11 said:
Really most plants will do just fine in sand.... I have crypts, valiseneria, some other sort of taller plant that comes from a bulb, anacharis although sometimes i have trouble gettimg it to stay in the sand since ot doesnt put down a heavy root system, and sagiteria. All in sand and all doin just fine

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Unless you have had them in sand for over a year and never did any gravel vacs, I am willing to bet your plants are on the smaller side and have not reached their true potential size. and I bet propagation is really slow too. Only one that will grow good is the anacharis cause it gets its nutrients from the water column through its leaves, its not meant to be rooted either (but it can be).
 
Idk what plant your talkinh about... I havent had any of them for a year. The longest one ive had is the anacharis n its only been like a month n a half or so... But some of them are already doubling there hieght and ready to be trimmed. The sagiteria has double in size and one of my crypts has doubled aswell although the rest of them are goimg a little slower still growing tho... N ive only had the val for like 2 weeks. No deadness in the leaves or anythonh... Ill tell u im no expert when it comes to plants but they are doing jus fine in plain pfs. So thats my experience.

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I can attach pictures if u would like or dont believe me or somethin? Sorry i cant tell if your tring to like call me out or just being informative. Cant tell

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Pyramid_Party said:
Unless you have had them in sand for over a year and never did any gravel vacs, I am willing to bet your plants are on the smaller side and have not reached their true potential size. and I bet propagation is really slow too. Only one that will grow good is the anacharis cause it gets its nutrients from the water column through its leaves, its not meant to be rooted either (but it can be).
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Interesting. I have had my swords in sand for several months and propogation is slow and I feel that they aren't growing to full size. I use Flourish and APIs Leaf Zone on a regular basis and while they are healthy I feel like they should be growing and propagating faster. PP, what do you recommend to get these thing growing tall and reproducing faster? Will Root Tabs help this more than the liquid ferts? Thanks.


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MTBjake said:
Interesting. I have had my swords in sand for several months and propogation is slow and I feel that they aren't growing to full size. I use Flourish and APIs Leaf Zone on a regular basis and while they are healthy I feel like they should be growing and propagating faster. PP, what do you recommend to get these thing growing tall and reproducing faster? Will Root Tabs help this more than the liquid ferts? Thanks.


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swords are root feeders so yes it will help
 
so i was thinging of having some java fern on some of the decor, then some sagittaria and anubias to fill out the bottom. Will i need fertilizers for these? i want these mostly so i can start a colony of livebearers and so my angelfish's new and future fry will have a better chance of surviving in the future.
 
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