Easy Aquarium Plants for Beginners

Midground

anubias-nana

Anubias barteri var. nana

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A slow-growing, hardy rhizome plant that works well in low-light and low-tech freshwater aquariums.

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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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Floating

Amazon Frogbit

Limnobium laevigatum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A popular floating plant with round leaves and very long, trailing roots.

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Background

Amazon Sword

Echinodorus grisebachii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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Background

Amazon Sword (Bleheri)

Echinodorus bleheri

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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Background

Anacharis

Egeria densa

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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Midground

Anubias 'Frazeri'

Anubias barteri x congensis

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A hybrid anubias with elegant elongated leaves.

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Epiphyte

Anubias 'Nangi'

Anubias barteri var. nana x gilletii

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A compact hybrid anubias with reddish new leaves.

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Epiphyte

Anubias 'Stardust'

Anubias barteri var. nana

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A tiny nana with striking white-veined leaves.

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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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Epiphyte

Anubias barteri var. angustifolia

Anubias barteri var. angustifolia

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A narrow-leaved anubias with a softer, bushier look.

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Epiphyte

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Coin Leaf'

Anubias barteri var. nana

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A round-leaved dwarf nana with a coin-like look.

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Epiphyte

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Golden'

Anubias barteri var. nana

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A lime-gold nana whose new leaves glow yellow-green.

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Epiphyte

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pinto'

Anubias barteri var. nana

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A premium white-and-green variegated dwarf anubias.

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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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Midground

Anubias congensis

Anubias heterophylla

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A larger anubias with long leaves for the mid-background.

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Background

Anubias Gracilis

Anubias gracilis

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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Midground

Anubias hastifolia

Anubias hastifolia

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A large anubias with distinctive arrow-shaped leaves.

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Midground

Anubias minima

Anubias barteri var. minima

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A narrow-leaved anubias with a bushy, upright habit.

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Foreground

Anubias Nana Petite

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A miniature version of Anubias nana, perfect for nano tanks.

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Background

Aponogeton Crispus

Aponogeton crispus

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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Background

Aponogeton Ulvaceus

Aponogeton ulvaceus

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

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

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Floating

Asian Watermoss

Salvinia cucullata

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A floating fern with distinctive cup-shaped leaves.

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Midground

Bacopa 'Compact'

Bacopa monnieri

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A dwarf, slow bacopa with tightly stacked round leaves.

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Foreground

Banana Plant

Nymphoides aquatica

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A novelty plant with banana-like tubers and heart-shaped leaves.

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Background

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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Background

Broadleaf Water Sprite

Ceratopteris cornuta

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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Foreground

Bucephalandra 'Catherine'

Bucephalandra sp.

LIGHTLow CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A very small Buce with extremely narrow, dark leaves.

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Epiphyte

Bucephalandra 'Green Wavy'

Bucephalandra sp.

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

An easy wavy-leaved buce with fine white flowers.

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Midground

Bucephalandra 'Kedagang'

Bucephalandra sp.

LIGHTLow CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A premium epiphyte with dark, narrow leaves and a reddish stem.

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Foreground

Bucephalandra 'Lamandau Mini Red'

Bucephalandra sp.

LIGHTLow CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A small Buce variety with reddish-brown wavy leaves.

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Epiphyte

Bucephalandra 'Red Mini'

Bucephalandra sp.

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A tiny red-toned buce for detailed nano hardscape.

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Epiphyte

Bucephalandra 'Theia'

Bucephalandra sp.

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A popular buce with dark leaves and violet sheen.

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Midground

Bucephalandra 'Wavy Green'

Bucephalandra sp.

LIGHTLow CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A slow-growing epiphyte with dark, wavy leaves and tiny white spots.

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Background

Canadian Waterweed

Elodea canadensis

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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Midground

Christmas Moss

Vesicularia montagnei

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A popular moss that grows in triangular, fir-tree-like fronds.

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Background

Corkscrew Vallisneria

Vallisneria asiatica

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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CB green

Midground

Cryptocoryne balansae

Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A tall crypt with long, crinkled strap leaves for the background.

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CB olive

Midground

Cryptocoryne beckettii 'Petchii'

Cryptocoryne beckettii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A compact olive-bronze crypt for low to medium light.

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CC green

Midground

Cryptocoryne crispatula

Cryptocoryne crispatula

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A grass-like background crypt with crinkled narrow leaves.

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Midground

Cryptocoryne lutea

Cryptocoryne lutea

LIGHTLow CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A hardy midground plant with bright green to bronze leaves.

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Foreground

Cryptocoryne parva

Cryptocoryne parva

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

One of the smallest Cryptocoryne species, ideal for foreground carpeting.

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CP green

Midground

Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia

Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A robust, broad-leaved crypt that resists melting.

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Background

Cryptocoryne spiralis

Cryptocoryne spiralis

LIGHTLow CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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Midground

Cryptocoryne undulata

Cryptocoryne undulata

LIGHTLow CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A beautiful rosette plant with wavy, dark green to brown leaves.

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CU green

Midground

Cryptocoryne usteriana

Cryptocoryne usteriana

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A large, hammered-leaf crypt for tall background stands.

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CW green

Midground

Cryptocoryne walkeri

Cryptocoryne walkeri

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A compact, dependable green crypt closely related to lutea.

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Midground

Cryptocoryne wendtii

Cryptocoryne wendtii

LIGHTLow CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A popular rosette plant with ruffled leaves in various colors.

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CW green

Midground

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green'

Cryptocoryne wendtii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

The classic easy green crypt for low-light midgrounds.

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CW red

Midground

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Red'

Cryptocoryne wendtii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A hardy red-brown rosette crypt that thrives in low to medium light.

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CW green

Midground

Cryptocoryne willisii

Cryptocoryne willisii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A small, grassy crypt for foreground-to-midground carpets.

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CH green

Midground

Cyperus helferi

Cyperus helferi

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

An aquatic sedge with long, flowing grass-like leaves.

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D green

Floating

Duckweed

Lemna minor

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A tiny, fast-spreading surface floater and nutrient sponge.

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Background

Dwarf Ambulia

Limnophila sessiliflora

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A fast-growing, undemanding alternative to Cabomba.

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Background

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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Foreground

Dwarf Sagittaria

Sagittaria subulata

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A hardy, grass-like plant that forms a thick foreground carpet.

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Foreground

Dwarf Water Clover

Marsilea crenata

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A very small, clover-like carpeting fern.

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Floating

Dwarf Water Lettuce

Pistia stratiotes

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A floating plant with fuzzy, rosette-shaped leaves and long roots.

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E' red

Midground

Echinodorus 'Kleiner Bar'

Echinodorus x barthii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A smaller red sword with bright red new leaves.

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Background

Echinodorus 'Ozelot'

Echinodorus 'Ozelot'

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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E' red

Midground

Echinodorus 'Red Diamond'

Echinodorus sp.

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A narrow-leaved sword with deep burgundy-red foliage.

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E' red

Midground

Echinodorus 'Red Flame'

Echinodorus x barthii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A compact spotted sword with red-and-green marbled leaves.

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E' green

Midground

Echinodorus 'Reni'

Echinodorus sp.

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A compact sword with pink-red young leaves.

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E' red

Midground

Echinodorus 'Rubin'

Echinodorus x barthii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A tall ruby-toned sword for a centerpiece.

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EC green

Midground

Echinodorus cordifolius

Echinodorus cordifolius

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A very large broad-leaved sword that can grow emersed.

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EM green

Midground

Echinodorus martii

Echinodorus martii

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A tall sword with heavily ruffled, translucent leaves.

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Background

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Myriophyllum spicatum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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Floating

Fairy Moss

Azolla caroliniana

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A tiny, fast-growing floating fern that can turn red under high light.

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Midground

Flame Moss

Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame'

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A unique moss that grows vertically, resembling green flames.

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Floating

Floating Fern

Salvinia natans

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A small floating fern with slightly folded, water-repellent leaves.

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GD green

Floating

Giant Duckweed

Spirodela polyrhiza

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A larger duckweed with reddish undersides and multiple roots.

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Background

Giant Hygrophila

Hygrophila corymbosa

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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Background

Giant Vallisneria

Vallisneria americana

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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GG green

Background

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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HB green

Midground

Helanthium bolivianum

Helanthium bolivianum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A low chain sword that spreads into a grassy carpet-like patch.

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HB green

Midground

Helanthium bolivianum 'Vesuvius'

Helanthium bolivianum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A compact chain sword with corkscrew-twisted leaves.

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Floating

Hornwort

Ceratophyllum demersum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A rootless, fast-growing floating or stem plant.

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HS green

Foreground

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides

LIGHTHigh CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A tiny-leaved creeping pennywort for foreground mats.

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HT green

Foreground

Hydrocotyle Tripartita

Hydrocotyle tripartita

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A fast-growing, creeping plant with clover-like leaves.

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H' green

Background

Hygrophila 'Siamensis 53B'

Hygrophila corymbosa

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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HA green

Background

Hygrophila angustifolia

Hygrophila angustifolia

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A large willow-leaf hygro for tall backgrounds.

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HC green

Background

Hygrophila corymbosa 'Angustifolia'

Hygrophila corymbosa

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A tall, willow-leaved hygro for big backgrounds.

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HC green

Midground

Hygrophila corymbosa 'Compact'

Hygrophila corymbosa

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A low, dense hygro that grows outward as a midground bush.

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HP pink

Background

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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JM green

Foreground

Java Moss

Taxiphyllum barbieri

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A versatile moss that provides excellent cover for fry and shrimp.

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JV green

Background

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

Background

Lemon Bacopa

Bacopa caroliniana

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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LR green

Background

Lindernia rotundifolia

Lindernia rotundifolia

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

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

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LC green

Midground

Lobelia cardinalis 'Small Form'

Lobelia cardinalis

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A slow, easy stem with round green leaves and purple undersides.

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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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LP red

Midground

Ludwigia palustris 'Super Red'

Ludwigia palustris

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

One of the easiest true-red stems, red even without CO2.

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LR green

Background

Ludwigia repens

Ludwigia repens

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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LN yellow-green

Midground

Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea'

Lysimachia nummularia

LIGHTHigh CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A golden round-leaved creeper that brightens the midground.

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MM green

Foreground

Marimo Moss Ball

Aegagropila linnaei

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A unique spherical algae that is extremely easy to care for.

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MH green

Foreground

Marsilea Hirsuta

Marsilea hirsuta

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A hardy, clover-like fern that makes a great low-tech carpet.

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MQ green

Foreground

Marsilea quadrifolia

Marsilea quadrifolia

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A clover-like carpet fern that tolerates low tech.

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M green

Background

Moneywort

Bacopa monnieri

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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MM green

Background

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

Background

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

Background

Onion Plant

Crinum thaianum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

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

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PM green

Epiphyte

Peacock Moss

Taxiphyllum sp. 'Peacock'

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A moss with feathery fronds and a bluish-green sheen.

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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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P green

Epiphyte

Pellia

Monosolenium tenerum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A thick, brittle thalloid liverwort with a lush look.

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PM dark green

Foreground

Phoenix Moss

Fissidens fontanus

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A premium moss with delicate, feather-like fronds.

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PC green

Foreground

Pygmy Chain Sword

Helanthium tenellum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A grass-like plant that forms a dense foreground carpet.

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RR red

Floating

Red Root Floater

Phyllanthus fluitans

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A highly sought-after floating plant with bright red roots and leaves.

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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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RR green

Background

Rotala rotundifolia

Rotala rotundifolia

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

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

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RR green

Background

Rotala rotundifolia 'Green'

Rotala rotundifolia

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

An easy, fast green stem that bushes out readily.

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SM green

Midground

Spiky Moss

Taxiphyllum sp. 'Spiky'

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

A robust moss similar to Christmas Moss but with larger, spikier fronds.

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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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SR green

Foreground

Staurogyne Repens

Staurogyne repens

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A compact, bushy foreground plant with sturdy green leaves.

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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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TM green

Epiphyte

Taiwan Moss

Taxiphyllum alternans

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A tidy, drooping moss that forms neat triangular fronds.

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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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WH green

Floating

Water Hyacinth

Eichhornia crassipes

LIGHTVery high CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A large floating plant with bulbous stalks and showy flowers.

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WS green

Floating

Water Spangles

Salvinia minima

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A very popular floating fern with tiny, stiff hairs on its leaves.

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WS green

Background

Water Sprite

Ceratopteris thalictroides

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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WW green

Background

Water Wisteria

Hygrophila difformis

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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WM green

Midground

Weeping Moss

Vesicularia ferriei

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A beautiful moss known for its distinct downward, weeping growth habit.

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WP green

Foreground

Whorled Pennywort

Hydrocotyle verticillata

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A unique plant with round, umbrella-like leaves on vertical stems.

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WM green

Epiphyte

Willow Moss

Fontinalis antipyretica

LIGHTLow CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A cool-water moss with a willow-like, drooping look.

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