Easy aquarium plants for beginners

Taxiphyllum barbieri

easy · low light · no CO2 · medium growth

Tie or superglue to surfaces; it will attach over a few weeks. No substrate needed. Trim occasionally to prevent it smothering other plants. Strong flow helps keep it clean.

Anubias barteri var. barteri

easy · low light · no CO2 · slow growth

Do not bury the rhizome, it will rot. Tie to wood or rock and allow roots to anchor naturally. Very low light suits it fine; algae on leaves is common in high-light tanks.

Microsorum pteropus

easy · low light · no CO2 · slow growth

Attach to driftwood with fishing line or plant-safe superglue; never bury the rhizome. Plantlets can be separated and reattached once they have a few roots.

Echinodorus grisebachii

easy · medium light · no CO2 · medium growth

Plant in nutrient-rich substrate or add root tabs. Leaves will melt after moving, this is normal; new growth will be adapted to your tank. Remove damaged old leaves early to reduce algae.

Ceratophyllum demersum

easy · low light · no CO2 · fast growth

Can be floated or loosely planted; will shed needles when conditions change. Trims frequently, cut the top growth and replant. Good for cycling tanks due to high nutrient uptake.

Hygrophila difformis

easy · medium light · no CO2 · fast growth

Plant stems in bunches in substrate. Trims easily, replant cuttings directly. Leaf shape varies with light: broad and simple in low light, finely divided in brighter conditions.

Ceratopteris thalictroides

easy · medium light · no CO2 · fast growth

Works planted or floating. Floating growth is faster; planted stems stay upright in fine substrate. Produces numerous plantlets, trim or remove excess to prevent it blocking all surface light.

Cryptocoryne wendtii

easy · low light · no CO2 · slow growth

Expect melting leaves after purchase, do not uproot; wait for recovery. Root tabs help in inert substrate. Once established, it is very hardy. Spreads slowly to form a mid-tank cluster.

Vallisneria spiralis

easy · medium light · no CO2 · fast growth

Do not bury the crown. Plant individual runners in sand or fine gravel. Fast-spreading: thin runners regularly to prevent them from overtaking the tank. Good option for alkaline tap water setups.

Limnobium laevigatum

easy · medium light · no CO2 · fast growth

Roots provide cover and biofilm for shrimp and fry. Trim regularly so it does not block all light. Needs surface agitation to be gentle, strong spray bars will push it around and stunt growth. Good for bettas and shy surface fish.

Lemna minor

easy · low light · no CO2 · fast growth

Good for tanks with goldfish or other herbivores that will eat it as food. Nearly impossible to fully eradicate, only introduce if you accept a permanent presence. Skimmer/overflow tanks spread it fast.

Rotala rotundifolia

easy · medium light · no CO2 · fast growth

Plant in bunches; trim the tops and replant for a bushy background. Higher light will bring out red/orange colouring. Easy to propagate from cuttings.

Ludwigia repens

easy · medium light · no CO2 · medium growth

Plant in small groups in nutrient substrate. Red colouring develops in high light; stays greener in low light. Easy to propagate from cuttings, trim and replant the tops.

Hygrophila polysperma

easy · low light · no CO2 · fast growth

Almost impossible to kill. Trim frequently, it becomes a jungle fast. Plant cuttings directly in substrate. Good for giving a new tank a head start on nutrient cycling.

Hydrocotyle leucocephala

easy · medium light · no CO2 · fast growth

Can be grown planted or floating, floating growth is fastest. Trim frequently. Leaves are distinctive and add visual interest to mid or background zones. Low maintenance and adapts to a wide range of conditions.

Anubias barteri var. nana

easy · low light · no CO2 · slow growth

Tie or superglue to hardscape; roots will grip the surface. Never bury the rhizome. Under very high light, algae may grow on the slow leaves, moderate light prevents this. Long-lived once established.

Aegagropila linnaei

easy · low light · no CO2 · slow growth

Keep cool: they prefer temperatures below 25°C and may brown and decompose in tropical tanks above 28°C. Roll them gently once a week to maintain their round shape. Rinse in dechlorinated water if they smell. Do not keep with strong plant-eating fish.