Plant guide
Aquarium plants that grow without CO2
Pressurised CO2 is expensive, requires maintenance, and can kill fish if it fails. These plants grow reliably without it — either because they absorb enough dissolved CO2 from the water naturally, or because they grow slowly enough that ambient dissolved CO2 is sufficient. Exclude plants from this list that show 'CO2 beneficial' in their profile if you want the most reliably low-maintenance choices.
12 plants neither require nor list CO2 as beneficial — the strictest low-tech cut.
How to read this list
This list excludes plants that only look good with injection. If a profile says CO2 is beneficial, it is not on this page. That keeps the shortlist honest for low-tech and Walstad-style tanks.
Amazon Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum
easymedium lightNo CO2
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.
Anubias
Anubias barteri var. barteri
easylow lightNo CO2
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.
Anubias Nana
Anubias barteri var. nana
easylow lightNo CO2
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.
Brazilian Pennywort
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
easymedium lightNo CO2
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.
Cryptocoryne Wendtii
Cryptocoryne wendtii
easylow lightNo CO2
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.
Duckweed
Lemna minor
easylow lightNo CO2
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.
Hornwort
Ceratophyllum demersum
easylow lightNo CO2
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 Polysperma
Hygrophila polysperma
easylow lightNo CO2
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.
Java Fern
Microsorum pteropus
easylow lightNo CO2
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.
Marimo Moss Ball
Aegagropila linnaei
easylow lightNo CO2
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.
Vallisneria
Vallisneria spiralis
easymedium lightNo CO2
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.
Water Sprite
Ceratopteris thalictroides
easymedium lightNo CO2
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.
Plan the hardscape next
Shortlist plants here, then set litres and livestock in the builder before you buy.
Need filtration context for a planted tank? See the filter size guide.
Other plant guides
Easy beginner aquarium plantsLow-light aquarium plantsAquarium carpet plantsPlants for shrimp tanksFast-growing aquarium plants
Aquarium plants that grow without CO2 — quick answers
- What does the “Aquarium plants that grow without CO2” list include?
- 12 plants neither require nor list CO2 as beneficial — the strictest low-tech cut.
- How should I use this plant list before buying?
- Treat it as a shortlist from structured library fields, not a buy list. Open each profile for light, CO2, and placement, then plan hardscape and filtration before you add livestock.
- Which plants appear on this guide right now?
- Examples currently matching include Amazon Frogbit, Anubias, Anubias Nana, Brazilian Pennywort, plus 8 more. Counts change as the library grows.