Ugf filters are not too good with plants. Plant roots will grow into them as stated, and if there isn't enough mulm built up under there, or your current is too strong you will have plants that starve from nutrient deficiency. If you are only going after one or two plants, look at a piece of wood with java fern, a moss, or anubia. These plants do better rooted to the wood or rocks even. Stay away from swords, as they will stop the UGF. I have had an amazon that had roots completely covering a 55 gallon tank footprint. The roots touched both ends, front and back, and were very thick.