Starting an aquarium is difficult enough, and the plants in it don't make it much easier. For a good start, you don't want to start with plants that are difficult to maintain. I've encountered the same problem myself when growing aquarium plants.
That's why this article presents 15 plant species that are easy to care for, yet still make a beautiful addition. They're guaranteed to thrive, even in a low-tech aquarium!
5 beautiful background aquarium plants
1. Echinodorus Bleheri Amazonian sword plant
This tall, stem-leafed plant belongs to the Echinodorus family, which is easy to maintain in a tropical aquarium. With this rosette plant, you really only need to pay attention to its iron (FE) nutrients. If the new growth leaves turn yellow or brown, add iron sticks or liquid iron food.
When this plant is thriving, it will look beautiful in your aquarium and will quickly produce shoots.
2. Nomaphila Siamensis
This Nomaphila strain is easy to keep with low to moderate lighting (although it does best with high-tech lighting).
The Nomaphila Siamensis is often sold in a merged (above-water) form. However, in this form, the plant will rot first. That's why Aquania grows this plant in a semi-submerged form. This will take much better care of your aquarium.
3. Vallisneria Spiralis
Despite its name, Vallisneria Spiralis doesn't grow in a spiral shape, but simply forms straight leaves. The name Spiralis comes from the curled root that can grow in the center of the rosette.
This plant requires little nutrition, CO2, or lighting. CO2 can cause sliminess, so make sure there's not too much. Don't plant it too deep in the ground, or it will slime as well.
4. Java fern Microsorum Pteropus
This Java fern is actually a BA'er – a well-known aquarium plant. This is mainly because this beautiful rhizomatous plant can be used with almost any aquarium inhabitant.
The plant grows slowly, requires little nutrition or light, and is very easy to propagate and grow. However, always ensure that rhizomatous plants are planted on gravel or ornamental plants. This fern can grow quite large in the aquarium and is an ideal habitat for fish that lay eggs.
5. Hygrophila Polysperma
Also known as Belgian green, this stem plant is one of the easiest to keep on the list. It thrives with supplemental feeding, but with enough fish, the plant can actually thrive.
Once the plant has started growing, it will rapidly grow towards the water's surface. You can then prune it at the top to encourage it to grow wider. This applies to all stem plants, by the way. We call this "topping."
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These five plants are ideal for use as a background. They're also suitable for the center of your aquarium, but they do need to be properly trimmed. Want to buy these aquarium plants? Visit our webshop, where we also offer some submerged options or budget bundles. Visit our online aquarium plant webshop here >
5 beautiful mid-zone plants
The middle zone is the perfect spot for most aquarium plants, as it receives the most light and water flow. The following plants fit perfectly in the middle zone of your aquarium and are easy to care for.
6. Vesicularia Dubyana Java moss
Java moss is the most well-known aquarium moss. This moss thrives with shrimp and young fish. Java moss requires little lighting and nutrients, but with some current, it will thrive.
You can grow the moss on wood or order it pre-grown on wood. This moss is highly recommended for growing racks. Of course, you can grow other moss varieties; we sell and grow several varieties that are easy to grow, even for beginners. View our range of aquarium moss here >
7. Lobelia Cardinalis
Lobelia Cardinalis, also known as Cardinal Lobelia, is one of the easiest plants to grow. Ideal for beginners! It grows to about 10 to 20 centimeters tall and can handle any amount of light.
The submerged variety has a few lower leaves, while the above-water variety has a fresh green color. A beautiful plant that's also easy to care for.
8. Anubias Nana
The Anubias Nana is also called a Dwarf Anubias. This is for good reason, as it's a true low-growing plant from the Anubias group. It therefore fits easily into almost any aquarium. The plant has stiff leaves, which also prevents it from being eaten by other fish. Low to normal lighting is sufficient.
The Anubias Nana is a slow grower, which means its need for plant food and CO2 is low.
Please note that you should plant this rhizome plant, just like other rhizomes, on the bottom, a piece of wood, or a piece of rock. Since these ornaments are often found in the middle zone, the Anubias Nana is therefore perfect for the center of your aquarium.
9. Anubias Barteri
The Anubias berteri is a somewhat larger Anubias species. The Barteri prefers aquariums with low to moderate lighting.
Since it's a rhizome plant, it requires little nutrition and CO2, which also makes it easy to maintain. Anubias barteri is also often used as a resting place by betta fish.
10. Hygrophila Compacta mini
The Hygrophila Compacta mini is an ideal plant for the mid-range. If you keep the plant pruned, it can also easily be planted in the foreground. This species thrives best under standard aquarium lighting, although it grows even better under high-tech LED lighting. Using high-quality LED lighting will naturally increase the demand for nutrients and CO2.
This stem plant is often offered in an above-water form. It then has thick, bushy leaves. In your aquarium, it will shed some of these leaves to make way for younger, underwater leaves. However, if you order this plant from us, this will be less of an issue because we've already done this for you. This makes it easier to plant in your aquarium, and the plant will experience less stress!
5 easy-to-care-for foreground plants
11. Hydrocotyle Vulgaris
The Hydrocotyle Vulgaris looks a bit like the pancake plant, and thankfully, it's just as easy to care for! This plant is also known as the common pennywort.
When growing well, the plant produces lateral shoots. It thrives in moderate to bright light and draws its nutrients from the soil. Is the plant turning yellow? Simply add some nutrient tablets to the soil, and the plant will quickly recover! Be careful with this plant, because the more light it receives, the more nutrients and CO2 it will need.
12. Lilaeopsis Novae zelandiae
If this plant were as difficult to care for as its name is to pronounce, it wouldn't have earned a spot on this list. Fortunately, it doesn't live up to its name, because this carpet plant is incredibly easy to care for!
It has a normal light requirement, but it will also grow in low light, albeit a little more slowly. The grass blades of the Lilaeopsis are ideal for shrimp and young fry to graze on. Looking for an easy-to-care-for grass for the ground? Look no further, and skip the Eleocharis, because the Lilaeopsis is perfect for you!
13. Cryptocoryne Wendtii (red)
Plants from the Cryptocoryne species are unusual. While they are not difficult to care for, they do require a higher level of plant iron nutrients.
This Cryptocoryne Wendtii is very easy to use in aquascapes, for example, in rough corners of aquarium stone or wood. This makes them less sharp. The plant has average light requirements and absorbs all its nutrients through its roots. With a well-rotted gravel substrate, this is a very easy species to keep!
14. Moss ball Chladophora
Chladophora moss balls are incredibly easy to care for. They require little to no light and thrive even in a sealed glass jar.
All you need to do for this plant is turn it a few times a month to prevent it from forming eggs. The moss ball will thrive if you place it in a spot with some water. Fertilizer and CO2 are rarely needed, unless the ball turns yellow. This rarely happens, however.
15. Anubias Coffeefolia
Nearly all Anubias species are easy to care for, but the Anubias Coffeefolia wins the prize for the easiest Anubias plant to maintain. Tie it to a piece of wood or stone, and the plant will hardly require any attention. Alternatively, place it on gravel.
It grows slowly—like other rhizomatous plants—so it requires little nutrition and CO2. It thrives best in low to medium light. Too much light can lead to leaf loss. It's the ideal plant for a low-tech aquascape!
These are 15 plants that are easy to care for and a truly valuable addition to your aquarium or aquascape. These plants are all available in our webshop. You can easily find these 15 plants in our aquarium plant webshop. There you'll also find more information about caring for and propagating the plants. Looking for other plants or aquarium supplies?
