Aquarium Plant Care Guides
Aquarium plants fall into a few groups with different care. Epiphytes like anubias, java fern and bucephalandra attach to wood or rock and must not be buried. Stem plants grow fast and want light and nutrients. Carpet plants need strong light and often CO2. Floating plants shade the tank and soak up nutrients. Match the plant to your lighting before you buy.
Quick rules of thumb
- Do not bury the rhizome of epiphytes.
- Match plants to your light level.
- Floating plants are an easy way to reduce algae.
Aquarium Plant guides
- Alternanthera ReineckiiAlternanthera reineckiiMedium to high light · Midground to background, stem plant
- Amazon FrogbitLimnobium laevigatumModerate to high light · Floating
- Amazon SwordEchinodorus bleheriModerate light · Background
- AmmanniaAmmannia speciesMedium to high light · Midground to background, stem plant
- AnacharisEgeria densaMedium light · Background, stem or floating
- Anacharis (Egeria)Egeria densaModerate light · Background or floating
- Anubias NanaAnubias barteri var. nanaLow to moderate light · Attach to wood or rock
- Anubias VarietiesAnubias speciesLow to medium light · Attach to wood or rock
- AponogetonAponogeton speciesMedium light · Midground to background, bulb
- Bacopa CarolinianaBacopa carolinianaMedium light · Background, stem plant
- BolbitisBolbitis heudelotiiLow to medium light · Attach to wood or rock
- BucephalandraBucephalandra sp.Low to moderate light · Attach to wood or rock
- Bucephalandra VarietiesBucephalandra speciesLow to medium light · Attach to wood or rock
- Christmas MossVesicularia montagneiLow to medium light · Attach to wood or rock, carpet
- Cryptocoryne ParvaCryptocoryne parvaLow to medium light · Foreground, carpeting rosette
- Cryptocoryne WendtiiCryptocoryne wendtiiLow to moderate light · Midground
- Dwarf Baby Tears (HC Cuba)Hemianthus callitrichoidesHigh light · Foreground, carpeting
- Dwarf HairgrassEleocharis acicularisModerate to high light · Foreground carpet
- Echinodorus VarietiesEchinodorus speciesMedium light · Midground to background, rosette
- Eleocharis (Hairgrass)Eleocharis speciesMedium to high light · Foreground, carpet
- Frogbit and FloatersLimnobium and similar speciesMedium to high light · Floating
- Guppy GrassNajas guadalupensisLow to medium light · Floating or anchored, stem
- HornwortCeratophyllum demersumLow to medium light · Floating or anchored, stem
- Hydrocotyle (Pennywort)Hydrocotyle speciesMedium light · Carpet, midground, floating
- HygrophilaHygrophila speciesLow to medium light · Background, stem plant
- Java FernMicrosorum pteropusLow light · Attach to wood or rock
- Java Fern VarietiesMicrosorum pteropusLow to medium light · Attach to wood or rock
- Java MossTaxiphyllum barbieriLow to moderate light · Attach to wood, rock or mesh
- LimnophilaLimnophila speciesMedium light · Background, stem plant
- Ludwigia RepensLudwigia repensModerate to high light · Midground to background
- Marimo Moss BallAegagropila linnaeiLow light · Anywhere, loose
- MarsileaMarsilea speciesMedium to high light · Foreground, carpet
- MayacaMayaca fluviatilisMedium to high light · Background, stem plant
- Micro SwordLilaeopsis brasiliensisMedium to high light · Foreground, carpeting
- Monte CarloMicranthemum tweedieiHigh light · Foreground carpet
- Parrot's FeatherMyriophyllum aquaticumMedium to high light · Background, stem plant
- Pogostemon Helferi (Downoi)Pogostemon helferiMedium to high light · Foreground, rosette
- Pothos and Houseplants for TanksEpipremnum and related speciesLow to high light · Roots in water, leaves out of water
- Red LudwigiaLudwigia speciesMedium to high light · Midground to background, stem plant
- Red Root FloaterPhyllanthus fluitansHigh light · Floating
- Rotala RotundifoliaRotala rotundifoliaModerate to high light · Midground to background
- Rotala VarietiesRotala speciesMedium to high light · Midground to background, stem plant
- SalviniaSalvinia speciesMedium to high light · Floating
- Staurogyne RepensStaurogyne repensMedium light · Foreground to midground, carpeting stem
- Tiger LotusNymphaea speciesMedium to high light · Midground to background, bulb
- Tissue Culture PlantsVariousVaries light · Varies
- VallisneriaVallisneria spiralisLow to moderate light · Background
- Vallisneria VarietiesVallisneria speciesLow to medium light · Background, grass-like
- Water LettucePistia stratiotesMedium to high light · Floating
- Water WisteriaHygrophila difformisModerate light · Midground to background
Find it at Pet Zone
Pet Zone Tropical Fish is a San Diego aquarium store with two locations. Stock changes daily, so call ahead if you are after a specific species or plant. Shop online at petzonesd.com.
Pet Zone Convoy
4160 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 987-0309
Open daily, 10am-6pm
Aquascaping, planted tanks
Pet Zone Mid-City
4266 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 283-1812
Closed Monday; Tue-Fri 10:30am-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm
Monster fish, koi