The choice of plants is almost as wide as that of fishes. Plants can be selected to occupy different areas of the tank, from floating plants on the water surface to aquarium floor covering miniature grasses. There are 2 main types of plants, live ones, and artificial ones. There are benefits and downsides of having both.
Live plants look more natural, contribute to the overall chemical balance of the aquarium and provide a source of food for many of the aquarium inhabitants. On the other hand, if they are being eaten by the fish, they can very soon look awful, the lighting conditions have to be taken into consideration, and if the plant dies it can very quickly pollute the water.
Artificial plants are great, because they don't pollute your tank (because they can't die), look very good from a distance (close up you can tell they are plastic) and can't be destroyed by over excited plant eating fish. However the main downside to them is the fact that they don't contribute to the chemical balance of the aquarium. I would recommend a mixture of live and artificial plants, that way you get the best of both worlds (it seems to work for me).
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| 1. Microsorium pterpus | The rootstock clings to logs and rocks, thrives in any light conditions. |
| 2. Acorus graminenius var pusillus | Grows slowly in the aquarium. Prefers cool water, a good choice as a foreground plant in the aquarium. |
| 3. Riccia fluritans | Ideal for shading the aquarium and as a fry refuge, some fish will eat it. |
| 4. Vallisneria natans | Excellent as a background plant. |
| 5. Najas guadalpensis | Dense clumps ideal for spawning. |
| 6. Aponogenton crispus | Grows from a rhizome. Will flower above the surface. Needs cool rest in winter. |
| 7. Hygrophila polysperma | Fast growing easily propagated. |
| 8. Nomaphila stricta | For hard water. may be eaten by snails. |
| 9. Salvinia natans | Trailing roots provide excellent shelter for fry. Spreads quickly on the surface. |
| 10. Aponogenton madagascariensis | Needs bright light, water changes and rest periods to grow well. |
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| 1. Sagittaria subulata | Popular plant: similar to vallisneria. |
| 2. Pistia strtiotes | The roots give shelter for young fish. |
| 3. Hygrophila difformis | Leaves vary in shape depending on the strength of the lighting, roots easily. |
| 4. Echinodorus bleheri | Very popular as a specimen plant. Plantlets form on long runners. |
| 5. Cabomba caroliniana | Widely grown. An excellent spawning medium. Needs clean water to keep leaves sediment free, roots easily. |
| 6. Echinodorus magdalenensis | An ideal foreground plant. Sends out many runners bearing young plants. |
| 7. Azolla caroliniana | Floating plant with velvety leaves, often red tinged. Provides a shady haven for young fishes. |
| 8. Ceratophyllum demersum | Usually grows in a floating tangle, easily grown from cuttings. |
| 9. Ludwigia repens | A superb plant for bright aquariums. |
| 10. Eleocharis acicularis | Needs good light. |
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| 1. Egeria densa | Grows best in hard water. Absorbs nutrients through its leaves. |
| 2. Cryptocoryne balansae | Long leaves make it ideal for a deep tank. Flowers above the surface in shallow water. Spreads by runners. |
| 3. Cryptocoryne willisii | Extremely useful foreground plant. Will grow in shady locations and can be planted under taller plants. |
| 4. Ceratopteris thalictroides | Can be grown rooted or as a floating subject with long trailing roots. Thrives in warm bright conditions. Must be kept in check. |
| 5. Cryptocoryne wendtii | Adaptable aquarium plant. |
| 6. Vesicularia dubyana | A clinging moss with tiny leaves on long stems. Grow in good light, clear of sediment and algae. |
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