Best Plants for Shrimp Tanks

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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Midground

Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'

Alternanthera reineckii

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A compact, vibrant red plant perfect for the foreground or midground.

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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

Ammannia gracilis

Ammannia gracilis

LIGHTVery high CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A large stem with pink-orange twisting top leaves.

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Background

Ammannia pedicellata 'Golden'

Ammannia pedicellata

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

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

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Background

Ammannia senegalensis

Ammannia senegalensis

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

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

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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 Boivinianus

Aponogeton boivinianus

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

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

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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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Background

AR Lilacina

Alternanthera reineckii 'Lilacina'

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

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

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Background

AR Rosaefolia

Alternanthera reineckii 'Rosaefolia'

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A tall stem plant with magenta to pink undersides.

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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 'Colorata'

Bacopa monnieri

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A pink-purple bacopa that colors under strong light.

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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

Blyxa aubertii

Blyxa aubertii

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A large grassy rosette resembling a submerged clump of grass.

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Midground

Blyxa japonica

Blyxa japonica

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A grassy rosette that bronzes red under strong light.

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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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Midground

Bucephalandra 'Brownie Ghost'

Bucephalandra sp.

LIGHTMedium CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A rare Buce variety known for its intense purple and blue hues.

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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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Epiphyte

Coral Moss

Riccardia chamedryfolia

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A dense, coral-like liverwort for detailed hardscape.

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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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Background

Crinum Calamistratum

Crinum calamistratum

LIGHTMedium CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

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

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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 pink

Midground

Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Pink Flamingo'

Cryptocoryne wendtii

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A prized pink cultivar crypt that needs light and CO2 to hold color.

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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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Foreground

Crystalwort

Riccia fluitans

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

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

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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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DD green

Background

Didiplis diandra

Didiplis diandra

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

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

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Foreground

Downoi

Pogostemon helferi

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A unique foreground plant with highly crinkled, star-shaped 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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Foreground

Dwarf Hairgrass

Eleocharis parvula

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A popular carpeting plant that looks like a miniature lawn.

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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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E' green

Midground

Eriocaulon 'Vietnam'

Eriocaulon sp.

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A larger starburst pipewort prized in aquascaping.

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EC green

Midground

Eriocaulon cinereum

Eriocaulon cinereum

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A small starburst rosette pipewort for soft-water high-tech tanks.

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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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Foreground

Glosso

Glossostigma elatinoides

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

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

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GV green

Midground

Gratiola viscidula

Gratiola viscidula

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A fine-textured stem that creeps and can be trimmed low.

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Background

Green Cabomba

Cabomba caroliniana

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A classic, feathery stem plant that requires good lighting.

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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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Foreground

HC Cuba

Hemianthus callitrichoides

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

The smallest carpeting plant available, forming a dense, bright green mat.

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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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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 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

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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LM green

Foreground

Lilaeopsis mauritiana

Lilaeopsis mauritiana

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A hardy grassy carpet, thicker-bladed than dwarf hairgrass.

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LA green

Background

Limnophila Aromatica

Limnophila aromatica

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

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

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LH purple

Background

Limnophila hippuridoides

Limnophila hippuridoides

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

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

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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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LA green

Midground

Ludwigia arcuata

Ludwigia arcuata

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A fine needle-leaved ludwigia that flushes orange-red.

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LB green

Midground

Ludwigia brevipes

Ludwigia brevipes

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A fine-leaved ludwigia that bronzes under good light.

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LG red

Background

Ludwigia Glandulosa

Ludwigia glandulosa

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

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

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LI orange

Midground

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A demanding whorled ludwigia in vivid pink and orange.

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LI pink

Midground

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Pantanal'

Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYExpert

A stunning but difficult whorled ludwigia in pink and red.

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LO green

Midground

Ludwigia ovalis

Ludwigia ovalis

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A creeping ludwigia with rounded pink-flushed 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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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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LS pink

Midground

Ludwigia senegalensis 'Guinea'

Ludwigia senegalensis

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A trendy pink ludwigia with heavily textured leaves.

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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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ML green

Background

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

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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MU green

Midground

Micranthemum umbrosum

Micranthemum umbrosum

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A bright-green stem of tiny round leaves; a fuller 'baby tears'.

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MS green

Foreground

Micro Sword

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A grass-like carpeting plant with slightly thicker blades than hairgrass.

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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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MC green

Foreground

Monte Carlo

Micranthemum tweediei

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A popular, bright green carpeting plant with small round leaves.

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M' red

Background

Myriophyllum 'Red'

Myriophyllum sp.

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A feathery whorled milfoil that flushes red on top.

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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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OL red

Midground

Orchid Lily

Barclaya longifolia

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A tuberous lily with wavy red-green leaves and a striking form.

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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

Foreground

Pearlweed (Micranthemum)

Micranthemum sp.

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A tiny-leaved carpeting Micranthemum for bright foregrounds.

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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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PE green

Background

Pogostemon Erectus

Pogostemon erectus

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

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

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PO green

Background

Pogostemon octopus

Pogostemon stellatus

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A striking whorled pogostemon with arm-like fine leaves.

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PS pink

Background

Pogostemon Stellatus

Pogostemon stellatus

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

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

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PP green

Midground

Proserpinaca palustris

Proserpinaca palustris

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A stem whose leaves turn saw-toothed and orange underwater.

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PB purple

Midground

Purple Bacopa

Bacopa salzmannii

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYModerate

A stunning purple-hued stem plant.

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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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RI green

Foreground

Ranunculus inundatus

Ranunculus inundatus

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A creeping plant with unique umbrella-shaped lobed leaves.

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RC red

Background

Red Cabomba

Cabomba furcata

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A demanding red-purple fan-leaved cabomba.

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RM red

Background

Red Myriophyllum

Myriophyllum tuberculatum

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

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

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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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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

Background

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

Background

Rotala Macrandra

Rotala macrandra

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYExpert

A notoriously demanding but breathtakingly beautiful red stem plant.

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RM green

Background

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

Background

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

Background

Rotala rotundifolia

Rotala rotundifolia

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYEasy–Moderate

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

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RR red

Background

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

Background

Rotala rotundifolia 'Colorata'

Rotala rotundifolia

LIGHTHigh CO₂Helpful DIFFICULTYModerate

A warmer-toned rotundifolia with orange-pink tops.

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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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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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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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S' green

Midground

Syngonanthus 'Belem'

Syngonanthus sp.

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYExpert

A delicate soft-water rosette for advanced blackwater scapes.

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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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TF green

Background

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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UG green

Foreground

Utricularia graminifolia

Utricularia graminifolia

LIGHTHigh CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

A grassy carnivorous carpet plant for high-tech tanks.

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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

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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YC green

Background

Yellow Cabomba

Cabomba aquatica

LIGHTVery high CO₂Required DIFFICULTYAdvanced

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

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