Fast-Growing Aquarium Plants

Floating

Amazon Frogbit

Limnobium laevigatum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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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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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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Floating

Asian Watermoss

Salvinia cucullata

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

A floating fern with distinctive cup-shaped leaves.

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Brazilian Pennywort

Hydrocotyle leucocephala

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A fast-growing, versatile vine-like plant.

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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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Foreground

Crystalwort

Riccia fluitans

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A versatile liverwort that can be floated or tied down as a carpet.

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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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D green

Floating

Duckweed

Lemna minor

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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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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Foreground

Dwarf Sagittaria

Sagittaria subulata

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

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

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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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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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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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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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Foreground

Glosso

Glossostigma elatinoides

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A classic, fast-growing carpeting plant with small, tongue-shaped leaves.

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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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Floating

Hornwort

Ceratophyllum demersum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Optional DIFFICULTYEasy

A rootless, fast-growing floating or stem plant.

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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

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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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HL brown

Midground

Hygrophila lancea 'Araguaia'

Hygrophila lancea

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A compact hygro with fine bronze-red leaves for high-tech tanks.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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PW green

Midground

Pearl Weed

Hemianthus micranthemoides

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

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

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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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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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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

Midground

Rotala 'Mini Butterfly'

Rotala sp.

LIGHTVery high CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A dwarf rotala with tiny leaves and pink-cream tops.

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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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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 green

Midground

Rotala rotundifolia 'Bonsai'

Rotala rotundifolia

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A dwarf, tightly-noded rotala for compact midground bushes.

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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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VS green

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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

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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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