Easy plants
- Thread starter Beannose
- Start date
Java fern variants include a regular, narrow leaf and witches hand. It is slow grow so it will take a while to get big and bushy. Bucefilandra has a wide variety to choose from as well and once established does well. It's pricey and very slow growing. Bolbitus fern is a west African. Any of the anubius varieties are good options. It is slow growing as well but the leaves last forever. These can all can be attached to wood or rock. Depending on the size of plant dollar store gel super glue can be used.
Crypt's do really well with low light. Lots of color variations too. Dwarfsag will grow to 24in and is a nice grass. Ifind val's to be a bit more temperamental. I brought in a few dozen very healthy plants a year or so ago and even with good lighting and a good substrate I lost all of them. I have some now in the 60g cube that are ~36in long. These all spread by runners.
Crypt's do really well with low light. Lots of color variations too. Dwarfsag will grow to 24in and is a nice grass. Ifind val's to be a bit more temperamental. I brought in a few dozen very healthy plants a year or so ago and even with good lighting and a good substrate I lost all of them. I have some now in the 60g cube that are ~36in long. These all spread by runners.
I've tried a few plants with my low tech 180g. Most have only done ok but the one which has really got a grip is my vallisnaria. And I absolutely love the look it gives so it's a real bonus that my favourite is the one which is thriving. It takes a little while for the "mother" plants to take off but once they're happy they start sending out undergravel runners, and new plants force their way up. The way the leaves sway in the current when my powerhead is on is fantastic. The pictures below show the main plants and at the sides you can see the younger "seedlings" making their way. The second picture in particular shows new shoots from a plant that just emerged yesterday.
My personal experience with Java moss is that is grows great and is very hardy. Once it is in a tank it is almost impossible to get rid of though.
Elodea, hornwort, water sprite, Myriophyllum aquaticum (aka parrot feather) are a few that grow easily
Hornwort probably does better floating.
Speaking of floating plants water lettuce, frog bit, salvinia and the scourge known as duckweed (I hate duckweed)
Some people like duckweed, it just gets everywhere and is bad to clog up filter screens.
I’ve never had any problems growing swords under normal lighting but I do supplement them with root tabs.
Hornwort probably does better floating.
Speaking of floating plants water lettuce, frog bit, salvinia and the scourge known as duckweed (I hate duckweed)
Some people like duckweed, it just gets everywhere and is bad to clog up filter screens.
I’ve never had any problems growing swords under normal lighting but I do supplement them with root tabs.
+1 on the hydrilla and valisneria.All I use in my tanks are valisneria, amazon swords,java moss,bacopa (not sure which variant though) and hydrilla as a floating plant as they like it dim.My 4 ft gets natural sunlight daily so I don't use any strong lighting.
Pretty sure the amazon swords were grown emersed which explains why the old leaves are dying off.The newer growth is getting really tall though only have 1 shoot as of now.
Free valisneria? Hell yeah! Lol
My channa kelaartii tank - started with about 4 valisneria about 15cm tall,grew over a span of 3 -4 months.Only have hydrilla,valisneria and bacopa in this tank.This pic makes the tank look tiny ?.
Pretty sure the amazon swords were grown emersed which explains why the old leaves are dying off.The newer growth is getting really tall though only have 1 shoot as of now.
Free valisneria? Hell yeah! Lol
My channa kelaartii tank - started with about 4 valisneria about 15cm tall,grew over a span of 3 -4 months.Only have hydrilla,valisneria and bacopa in this tank.This pic makes the tank look tiny ?.
Excuse the pile of bio media and hose in the middle lol.Tore down my filter so I chucked my bio media in there.
Here is my list:
Anacharis
Note: Anacharis (Elodea) (is kind of like hornwort, but I think is prettier. I have some growing in an outdoor patio pond. It has grown a ton, and roots have sprouted everywhere. I use gravel as its substrate. It is fine in the sand, or you can float it. It will root in the sand later on. Very bushy, very green, and my barbs hide in it 24/7. The plant is usually used in sub-tropic to tropic tanks, but it thrives in 45 degrees to 75-degree water outside. There are 6 species of Anacharis.
Hornwort
Note: Hornwort or Coontail (Antocerotophyla) is very hardy. They can survive in practically any water temperature, and any water condition as long as it is in freshwater. Very pretty, and is usually mimicked using plastic. This is a must for planted tanks because they are hearty and bushy. It is different than anacharis. No personal experience; just read about.
Süsswassertang/Süßwassertang
Süsswassertang or Lomarias sp. is a free-floating plant that carpets into the sand. It is slow-growing, but it picks up the pase later. It is great for shrimp tanks, and for breeding tanks. It highly resembles its saltwater companion, seaweed. Thats all the information I know, and giving the situation, this may not be the best plant. To get more information, look at Serpa Design. He uses this plant for paludariums etc. A fun fact is that süßwassertang literally means freshwater seaweed in german.
Marimo
Marimo Moss Balls (Aegagropilia linnaei) are cool little balls of algae. They are very pretty, and almost everything loves them. Very Hardy, pretty, and easy. Thats all there is to it!
Amazon Sword
Amazon Sword (Echinodorus Grisebachii) is a bushy aquatic plant that flowers white. This plant is native to Cuba, and as far down to Brazil and Bolivia. It is a common plant for Discus. Very Pretty, very hearty. I have a root I got from a friend in my 55. It is starting to grow. I believe it is a slow-growing plant. It is cultivated for pond and aquarium life. It doesn't get bushy, but the leaves reach all the way to the top of the tank.
Wendt's Water Trumpet
Wendt's Water Trumpet better known as Cryptocoryne Wendtii is not so popular in the aquatic trade. I know it from Aquarium co-op videos. It gets bushy. No need for Co2, but it does like to feed from roots, so if you don't have good soil, give root tablets. Crypto Wendtii does come in different color morphs (red, tropica, and green), but it does have red veins in the leaves either way. Like Amazon Sword, this plant is known to shrink back and look like it is dieing. It isnt.
You can ask for more information or examples if you need them
Anacharis
Note: Anacharis (Elodea) (is kind of like hornwort, but I think is prettier. I have some growing in an outdoor patio pond. It has grown a ton, and roots have sprouted everywhere. I use gravel as its substrate. It is fine in the sand, or you can float it. It will root in the sand later on. Very bushy, very green, and my barbs hide in it 24/7. The plant is usually used in sub-tropic to tropic tanks, but it thrives in 45 degrees to 75-degree water outside. There are 6 species of Anacharis.
Hornwort
Note: Hornwort or Coontail (Antocerotophyla) is very hardy. They can survive in practically any water temperature, and any water condition as long as it is in freshwater. Very pretty, and is usually mimicked using plastic. This is a must for planted tanks because they are hearty and bushy. It is different than anacharis. No personal experience; just read about.
Süsswassertang/Süßwassertang
Süsswassertang or Lomarias sp. is a free-floating plant that carpets into the sand. It is slow-growing, but it picks up the pase later. It is great for shrimp tanks, and for breeding tanks. It highly resembles its saltwater companion, seaweed. Thats all the information I know, and giving the situation, this may not be the best plant. To get more information, look at Serpa Design. He uses this plant for paludariums etc. A fun fact is that süßwassertang literally means freshwater seaweed in german.
Marimo
Marimo Moss Balls (Aegagropilia linnaei) are cool little balls of algae. They are very pretty, and almost everything loves them. Very Hardy, pretty, and easy. Thats all there is to it!
Amazon Sword
Amazon Sword (Echinodorus Grisebachii) is a bushy aquatic plant that flowers white. This plant is native to Cuba, and as far down to Brazil and Bolivia. It is a common plant for Discus. Very Pretty, very hearty. I have a root I got from a friend in my 55. It is starting to grow. I believe it is a slow-growing plant. It is cultivated for pond and aquarium life. It doesn't get bushy, but the leaves reach all the way to the top of the tank.
Wendt's Water Trumpet
Wendt's Water Trumpet better known as Cryptocoryne Wendtii is not so popular in the aquatic trade. I know it from Aquarium co-op videos. It gets bushy. No need for Co2, but it does like to feed from roots, so if you don't have good soil, give root tablets. Crypto Wendtii does come in different color morphs (red, tropica, and green), but it does have red veins in the leaves either way. Like Amazon Sword, this plant is known to shrink back and look like it is dieing. It isnt.
You can ask for more information or examples if you need them
