10 Best Low Maintenance Aquarium Plants For Beginners
We, aquarists love to add plants in our aquarium to make it look more natural and alluring. But it’s just not for beauty only. Because aquatic plants have many benefits. They maintain the nitrate level and recycle the waste generated by the fish.
Besides, they help to maintain the fish’s health and convert the carbon dioxide to oxygen as well. In addition, they keep the tank clean and toxin free. But the problem arises when they don’t survive in the tank situation.
Most of the aquatic plants are very delicate. Moreover, we all are so busy with our everyday lives that we don’t really have much time to keep the aquarium plants in shape.
This is why, In this article, I’ve gathered my past experience with different kinds of aquatic plants and here I have discussed the 10 most low maintenance aquarium plants that are top picks for you.
So, without losing any time, let’s just dive right in—
Top 10 Easy To Maintain Aquatic Plants
1. Anacharis
It’s also known as Brazilian waterweed. This one is a beautiful plant that is not only low maintenance but also very hardy in the tank. With proper care, it can grow very fast and up to about six feet tall.
It is amazing as a background plant since it grows rapidly. Since it has a fast growing habit, it needs a frequent dose of fertilizer. But that’s mostly it.
But the good thing is that they don’t need any additional CO2 and you can plant it either directly in the soil substrate or leave it to float in the aquarium. However, when you are planting multiple anchors in the tank be sure to place them a few inches away from each other.
Care Requirements
- Lighting: Moderate light
- Temperature: 21-25 °C
- pH: 7-8
2. Aponogeton Crispus
If you want a low maintenance plant but still want to have a fancy aquarium, this one is the ideal choice for you. Because it produces white and bright, deep burgundy colored flowers and brings joy to the whole aquarium. Besides, it’s not even that expensive at all.
It doesn’t grow higher than 12 inches but it does grow pretty fast. The best thing is that it doesn’t require specific light settings and no additional C02 is needed as well. And if you grow it under low lights the leaves will grow wavy around the edge and bring a different look
Besides, you can grow it by placing the bulbs in the substrate, and gradually new roots and leaves will sprout out from there. It’s mostly kept in the center position of the tank surrounded by fish. However one of its downsides is that due to its fast growing habit it needs to be fed root tabs regularly.
Care Requirements
- Lighting: No light requirements
- Temperature: 15-32 ° C
- pH: 6- 7
3. Hornwort
Hornworts are pretty fast growing and get up to a height of 2 inches. but they don’t have a good root system. This is why they can be used as a floating plant in the tank which gives the whole setup an alluring look.
Since they don’t have any root system it’s pretty easy to maintain them once you grow them in under water conditions. Besides, they are very useful for the tank because they can absorb the excess nutrients in the aquarium, and by doing so they prevent the growth of harmful algae.
In addition, many fish and fries use hornwort as a hiding spot and many beneficial microorganisms also rely on this plant as their habitat. This is one of the best picks because they can easily live under a broad range of temperatures.
Care Requirements
- Lighting: Moderate to high
- Temperature: 15-27°C
- pH: 6 to 8.5
4. Amazon Swords
The Amazon sword is perfect as a background plant or a focus plant in your aquarium. They are very easy to multiply because they can be split into half and replanted again. So, you can grow a lot of them in a short time.
The plant grows around 16-18 inches in height. If you are growing it as a background plant you can let it grow a bit but if you are growing it as a midground plant you can trim it as per your aquarium arrangement.
Besides, you can put them directly into the substrate. The roots will take some time to grow and it will turn out just fine. They are very easy to maintain but sometimes their leaves turn brown which can also be handled with some measures. (add link)
Care Requirements
- Lighting: Moderate to high light
- Temperature: 22-28°C°C
- pH: 6.5-7.5
5. Dwarf Sagittaria
The name starting with Dwarf already discloses that it’s a small heighted plant and mostly used for carpeting the aquarium floor. And they just love to spread densely so you won’t have to worry about making too much effort on this.
Its dense leaves also help to provide shelter for small fish and fries. The best thing about the dwarf sagittaria is that it doesn’t even require much nutrients but in return, they give us small beautiful white flowers that float at the top of the tank like a natural pond.
Care Requirements
- Lighting: Low light is best but bright light should be avoided.
- Temperature: 20 – 28 °C
- pH: 6-8
6. Bacopa Caroliniana
Bacopa Caroliniana is one of the best picks for a beginner. Its round leaves with a straight stem make it look eye-catching. Besides, they can thrive in any light conditions. But if you want their leaves to be coppery red, you can turn the light intensity to high.
However, when you first start to grow it under submerged conditions, their leaves will begin to fall off. But as soon as they are established in that environment the leaves will start growing back. In addition, they will not bother you with any fertilizers as well.
Because they get most of their nutrients from fish waste and this is how they help to keep the tank clean. Moreover, these plants don’t have any specific substrate requirement either. Besides, you can cut its stem into pieces and use them to propagate this plant in a new location, even in the ground conditions of your garden.
Care Requirements
- Lighting: Moderate to high light conditions
- Temperature: 20-28°C
- pH: 6 to 8
7.Java Fern
It’s most suitable for freshwater aquariums but it thrives in different types of water conditions too. This feature makes it very hardy so if you are pretty busy and can’t maintain regular water changes, maybe this one’s for you.
There are many varieties of java fern and they all make the aquarium look super natural in their own way. This is a very versatile and slow growing plant but it needs a nutrient rich substrate.
The most important thing is, while planting you have to remember to keep the rhizomes above the substrate and attach it to a hardscape. Once you propagate and plant it properly, the java ferns will grow amazingly on any driftwood and rocks. (add link)
Care Requirements
- Lighting: Low to moderate light
- Temperature: 21-30 °C
- pH: 5-8
8. Marsilea Minuta
Marsilea Minuta or dwarf water clover (also known as pepperwort) is a stunning addition to the aquarium that makes the tank look almost like a natural piece of land. You can contrast it with anything to accentuate such as a stone, driftwood, or sand.
And you won’t even have to take care of it that much. Just basic plant care will do more than enough. With the right conditions, it spreads in the tank like a carpet and their heart shaped leaves oscillate with water movement.
Care Requirements
- Lighting: Moderate to high light
- Temperature: 22-30 °C
- pH: 5-8
9. Dwarf Baby Tears
Dwarf Baby Tears produce many tiny leaves and those leaves contain small oxygen bubbles around the edge. This is why they are called dwarf baby tears and it surely looks like pearls in the tank.
It’s also widely used as a fish shelter for breeding. If you provide it with the proper amount of light, it will spread as a dense layer of carpet in your tank. This one is a great pick for you if you want to completely cover your tank substrate.
The only issue with dwarf baby tears is that you need to be alert on the fertilizer application because it needs a regular dose of nutrients due to its dense foliage.
Care Requirements
- Lighting: Moderate to high light
- Temperature: 22-28 °C
- pH: 5-8
10.Vallisneria Gigantea
Vallisneria Gigantea typically grows in ponds and lakes. Mostly because it likes to be in a calm or slow flowing water. It grows very fast and up to 30 cm in height so this is why it’s also known as tape grass or eel grass as well.
They do not require additional C02 but they can benefit from it if you decide to start adding it at some point. One of its useful features is, that it can easily live with aggressive fishes like goldfish, guppy, pearl gourami, neon tetra, cherry barb, betta, etc.
However, it requires iron rich supplements every few days. You can also provide root tabs instead if it’s more convenient for you. Besides that, tape grass is very undemanding and easy to take care of.
Care Requirements
- Lighting: Moderate to high light
- Temperature: 20-28 °C
- pH: 5-8
Conclusion
To excel in aquascaping, you need to arrange rocks, driftwood, and substrate in an organized fashion that gives your tank a more natural and appealing look. In doing so, make sure to choose plants that are not only aesthetic but also very easy to maintain.
I have explored numerous kinds of aquarium plants in my lifetime and in this article, I’ve presented the 10 most low maintenance and uncomplicated live aquatic plants for you so that you can make an informed decision before you get a plant for your tank.
Feel free to experiment with multiple plants from the list to discover the most appealing setup for your aquarium. Share this article with your fellow aquarist friends so that you can compare among yourself which one performs best and crafts a stunning aquatic environment.
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