Hydrocotyle verticillata is a member of the pennywort family that’s appreciated by planted aquarium lovers for its interesting shape and growth pattern. Unlike most other Hydrocotyle varieties, Hydrocotyle verticillata is a creeping plant that should stay relatively low when provided with enough light, making…
When setting up a planted aquarium, one of the best ways to achieve a balanced, natural look is to create depth using foreground and background plants. Foreground plants are low and usually don’t stand out too much, while background plants are tall and can…
Amazon sword is a common name for multiple plant species in the Echinodorus genus, like Echinodorus bleheri and Echinodorus amazonicus. These lush, green rosette plants are among the most popular aquarium plants because they are very easy to grow, even for beginners. Keep reading…
A nano planted aquarium can be a great option for anyone short on space and money or if you’re just looking for a different kind of challenge. Despite their small size, they can still look just as lush as larger aquascapes and really brighten up…
There are plenty of reasons to want to go for fast growing live plants in your aquarium. Some fish love to nibble on plants, so it’s a great idea to grow them separately to add some variety to their diet. Fast growers compete with…
Vallisneria varieties, also known simply as ‘Vals’, are an aquarium plant species popular for their resemblance of sea grass, quick growth and easy care. They can reach a height of anywhere between a few inches to right across the top of your tank and…
If you’re looking for a versatile, attractive and fast growing aquarium plant that’s suitable for beginners, chances are you may end up buying some moss. While the terrestrial version of this plant may not be regarded as very exciting, aquarium moss has many uses…
Plants from the genus Cryptocoryne, usually referred to as ‘crypts’ by aquarists, are one of the easiest aquatic plants to keep. This, combined with the fact that they are available in many different color varieties that all look beautiful without needing special care, makes…
Because fish bowls, vases and other small containers are not a good home for fish, you may have a few lying around being used as a candy bowl or decorative piece. If you’re looking for something new and aquarium-related to try, setting up a planted…
Anubias is one of the most popular aquarium plant species and a favorite for many beginners and more experienced aquarists. It doesn’t require any special care, grows well in low-light aquariums and has large, broad leaves that are appreciated by fish that prefer some…
Java fern is one of my personal favorite freshwater aquarium plants for many reasons! This particular fern is very easy to care for as it doesn’t need additional carbon dioxide, a strong light, specific substrate, or any extra fertilizers. It’s also one of the…
Floating aquarium plants, often with long decorative roots, are popular in many types of aquarium setups and for good reason! There are many advantages to keeping floating plants in your planted aquarium; although they may not always be ideally kept with plant species that require…
When it comes to unheated or coldwater aquariums, most aquarists only think of goldfish setups. However, there are actually many options for low-tech tanks that don’t even require a heater. Popular dwarf shrimp like cherry shrimp can actually be kept in unheated aquariums, and the…
Although I will personally always be a live plant lover, there are many reasons to go for plastic or silk plants in an aquarium. They can’t accidentally be killed, they can’t be eaten by hungry fish and they definitely don’t have to look bad.…
Most aquatic plants should be planted with their roots in the substrate just like regular plants – however, there are a few exceptions. Some of the most popular aquarium plants, like Java fern and Anubias varieties, should actually be tied to rock or driftwood.…