Background Aquarium Plants

Midground

African Water Fern

Bolbitis heudelotii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A beautiful, slow-growing epiphyte fern with dark, translucent green leaves.

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Amazon Sword

Echinodorus grisebachii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A large, popular rosette plant that forms a bushy centerpiece.

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Amazon Sword (Bleheri)

Echinodorus bleheri

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A large, broad-leaved sword plant that dominates the background.

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Ammannia gracilis

Ammannia gracilis

LIGHTVery high CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A large stem with pink-orange twisting top leaves.

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Ammannia pedicellata 'Golden'

Ammannia pedicellata

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A golden-yellow to orange stem for warm background color.

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Ammannia senegalensis

Ammannia senegalensis

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

An intense copper-red stem that curls under high light.

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Anacharis

Egeria densa

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A classic, incredibly fast-growing stem plant that is nearly indestructible.

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Midground

Anubias Barteri

Anubias barteri var. barteri

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A larger Anubias variety with broad, tough leaves.

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Midground

Anubias Coffeefolia

Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A stunning Anubias with deeply ribbed, textured leaves.

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Anubias Gracilis

Anubias gracilis

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

An elegant Anubias with long stems and spade-shaped leaves.

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Aponogeton Boivinianus

Aponogeton boivinianus

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A large bulb plant with stiff, deeply hammered, dark green leaves.

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Aponogeton Crispus

Aponogeton crispus

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A beautiful bulb plant with long, wavy, translucent leaves.

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Aponogeton Ulvaceus

Aponogeton ulvaceus

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A spectacular bulb plant with broad, highly twisted, translucent leaves.

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AR Lilacina

Alternanthera reineckii 'Lilacina'

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A tall stem plant with a deep lilac or purple hue.

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AR Rosaefolia

Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosaefolia'

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A tall stem plant with magenta to pink undersides.

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Blyxa aubertii

Blyxa aubertii

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A large grassy rosette resembling a submerged clump of grass.

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Brazilian Pennywort

Hydrocotyle leucocephala

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A fast-growing, versatile vine-like plant.

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Midground

Broadleaf Sagittaria

Sagittaria platyphylla

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A robust rosette plant with broad, stiff leaves.

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Broadleaf Water Sprite

Ceratopteris cornuta

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A fast-growing fern with broader leaves than standard Water Sprite.

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Canadian Waterweed

Elodea canadensis

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A cold-water tolerant stem plant very similar to Anacharis.

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Corkscrew Vallisneria

Vallisneria asiatica

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A twisted-leaf val that makes a tight, grassy background.

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Crinum Calamistratum

Crinum calamistratum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A unique bulb plant with dark green, highly crinkled, tentacle-like leaves.

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Cryptocoryne spiralis

Cryptocoryne spiralis

LIGHTLow CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A tall, grass-like Cryptocoryne perfect for the background.

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DD green

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Didiplis diandra

Didiplis diandra

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A fine needle-leaved stem with orange-red tips.

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Dwarf Ambulia

Limnophila sessiliflora

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A fast-growing, undemanding alternative to Cabomba.

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Dwarf Hygrophila

Hygrophila polysperma

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A very fast-growing, undemanding stem plant.

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Midground

Dwarf Lily

Nymphaea stellata

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A beautiful bulb plant that shoots up arrow-shaped red and green leaves.

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Echinodorus 'Ozelot'

Echinodorus 'Ozelot'

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A striking sword plant with distinct red and brown spots on its leaves.

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Eurasian Watermilfoil

Myriophyllum spicatum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A hardy, finely leaved stem plant that can tolerate cold water.

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Giant Hygrophila

Hygrophila corymbosa

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A large, broad-leaved stem plant suitable for big aquariums.

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Giant Vallisneria

Vallisneria americana

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A massive, ribbon-like plant that grows very tall.

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Green Cabomba

Cabomba caroliniana

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A classic, feathery stem plant that requires good lighting.

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GG green

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Guppy Grass

Najas guadalupensis

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A fast, rootless tangle plant that's superb fry and shrimp cover.

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Midground

Hairgrass

Eleocharis acicularis

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A taller variety of hairgrass, great for midground or background.

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Floating

Hornwort

Ceratophyllum demersum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A rootless, fast-growing floating or stem plant.

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H' green

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Hygrophila 'Siamensis 53B'

Hygrophila corymbosa

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A very easy, fast green stem that tolerates almost anything.

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HA green

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Hygrophila angustifolia

Hygrophila angustifolia

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A large willow-leaf hygro for tall backgrounds.

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HC green

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Hygrophila corymbosa 'Angustifolia'

Hygrophila corymbosa

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A tall, willow-leaved hygro for big backgrounds.

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HP green

Midground

Hygrophila Pinnatifida

Hygrophila pinnatifida

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A unique fern-like stem plant that can attach to hardscape.

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HP pink

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Hygrophila polysperma 'Rosanervig'

Hygrophila polysperma

LIGHTHigh CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

An easy pink-veined 'sunset' hygrophila.

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JF green

Midground

Java Fern

Microsorum pteropus

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A hardy epiphyte fern that thrives attached to rocks or wood.

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JV green

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Jungle Vallisneria

Vallisneria gigantea

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A giant ribbon val for tall tanks and dramatic backgrounds.

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LJ green

Midground

Lace Java Fern

Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov'

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A variety of Java Fern with finely branched, lace-like leaf tips.

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LB green

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Lemon Bacopa

Bacopa caroliniana

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A hardy stem plant with thick leaves that smell like lemon when crushed.

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LA green

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Limnophila Aromatica

Limnophila aromatica

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A beautiful stem plant with serrated leaves that turn pink/purple.

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LH purple

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Limnophila hippuridoides

Limnophila hippuridoides

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A whorled stem with green tops and purple-magenta undersides.

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LR green

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Lindernia rotundifolia

Lindernia rotundifolia

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

An easy round-leaved stem with a bright, bushy look.

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LG red

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Ludwigia Glandulosa

Ludwigia glandulosa

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A demanding stem plant with striking wine-red, lanceolate leaves.

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LP red

Midground

Ludwigia Palustris

Ludwigia palustris

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A stunning, intensely red stem plant that is surprisingly easy to grow.

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LR green

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Ludwigia repens

Ludwigia repens

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A classic, fast-growing stem plant that turns reddish under good light.

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ML green

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Madagascar Lace Plant

Aponogeton madagascariensis

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A highly sought-after bulb plant with striking, skeletal, lace-like leaves.

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M green

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Moneywort

Bacopa monnieri

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A hardy, bright green stem plant that grows straight up.

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M' red

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Myriophyllum 'Red'

Myriophyllum sp.

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A feathery whorled milfoil that flushes red on top.

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MM green

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Myriophyllum Mattogrossense

Myriophyllum mattogrossense

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A fast-growing stem plant with bright green, feathery leaves.

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NL green

Midground

Narrow Leaf Java Fern

Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow'

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A Java Fern variety with long, very thin leaves.

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NV green

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Narrow-leaf Vallisneria

Vallisneria nana

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A finer, narrower version of classic Vallisneria.

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NH green

Midground

Nymphoides Hydrophylla

Nymphoides hydrophylla

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A fast-growing plant similar to the Taiwan Lily, with light green leaves.

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OP green

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Onion Plant

Crinum thaianum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A large bulb plant with long, flat, ribbon-like leaves.

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PW green

Midground

Pearl Weed

Hemianthus micranthemoides

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A versatile, fast-growing stem plant with tiny leaves.

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PE green

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Pogostemon Erectus

Pogostemon erectus

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A beautiful stem plant with fine, bright green, pine-like needles.

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PO green

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Pogostemon octopus

Pogostemon stellatus

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A striking whorled pogostemon with arm-like fine leaves.

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PS pink

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Pogostemon Stellatus

Pogostemon stellatus

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A demanding stem plant with whorls of fine, pink to purple leaves.

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PB purple

Midground

Purple Bacopa

Bacopa salzmannii

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A stunning purple-hued stem plant.

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RC red

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Red Cabomba

Cabomba furcata

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A demanding red-purple fan-leaved cabomba.

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RM red

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Red Myriophyllum

Myriophyllum tuberculatum

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A demanding, finely leaved stem plant with stunning red/copper coloration.

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RT red

Midground

Red Tiger Lotus

Nymphaea lotus

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A stunning bulb plant with broad, red, mottled leaves.

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R' green

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Rotala 'Nanjenshan'

Rotala sp. "Nanjenshan"

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A needle-leaved green rotala with a soft, feathery look.

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RH red

Midground

Rotala Hra

Rotala sp. 'Hra'

LIGHTVery high CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A variant of Rotala rotundifolia that turns intensely orange-red.

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RI green

Midground

Rotala Indica

Rotala indica

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A classic stem plant with small, round leaves that grow densely.

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RM red

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Rotala Macrandra

Rotala macrandra

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYExpert

A notoriously demanding but breathtakingly beautiful red stem plant.

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RM green

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Rotala macrandra 'Green'

Rotala macrandra

LIGHTVery high CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A delicate large-leaved green macrandra for high-tech scapes.

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RM green

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Rotala mexicana 'Bangladesh'

Rotala mexicana

LIGHTVery high CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A fine-leaved rotala turning fiery orange-red on top.

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RR green

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Rotala rotundifolia

Rotala rotundifolia

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A fast-growing stem plant that forms dense, colorful bushes.

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RR red

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Rotala rotundifolia 'Blood Red'

Rotala rotundifolia

LIGHTVery high CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A compact, intensely red rotala for high-tech tanks.

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RR orange

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Rotala rotundifolia 'Colorata'

Rotala rotundifolia

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A warmer-toned rotundifolia with orange-pink tops.

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RR green

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Rotala rotundifolia 'Green'

Rotala rotundifolia

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

An easy, fast green stem that bushes out readily.

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RW pink

Midground

Rotala Wallichii

Rotala wallichii

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A delicate stem plant with fine, needle-like leaves that turn pink.

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S green

Midground

Stargrass

Heteranthera zosterifolia

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A fast-growing stem plant that forms dense, star-like clusters.

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TL green

Midground

Taiwan Lily

Nymphoides sp. 'Taiwan'

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A unique rosette plant with bright green, flipper-shaped leaves.

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TF green

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Tonina fluviatilis

Tonina fluviatilis

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYExpert

A demanding whorled blackwater stem for expert soft-water tanks.

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TL green

Midground

Tricolor Lotus

Nymphaea micrantha

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A beautiful bulb plant with leaves featuring green, red, and brown mottling.

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TJ green

Midground

Trident Java Fern

Microsorum pteropus 'Trident'

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A smaller Java Fern with narrow, multi-lobed leaves.

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VS green

Background

Vallisneria spiralis

Vallisneria spiralis

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A tall, grass-like background plant that spreads via runners.

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WS green

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Water Sprite

Ceratopteris thalictroides

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A fast-growing fern that can be planted or floated.

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WW green

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Water Wisteria

Hygrophila difformis

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A fast-growing stem plant with deeply lobed, lace-like leaves.

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YC green

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Yellow Cabomba

Cabomba aquatica

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A demanding stem plant with extremely fine, bright green leaves.

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