How to Grow Aquarium Plants

Aquarium plants are just as easy to grow as regular plants. Aquatic plants also have lighting and fertilizer requirements, so by giving them the same level of care that you give your houseplants, your aquarium garden should be just as healthy and lush. These simple tips and reminders will help you grow your aquarium plants without a problem.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aquarium plants
• Substrate
• Lighting
• Planting stick (optional)

1. Rinse any newly acquired aquarium plants under clean water to remove unwanted elements like snails and tiny predators. Remove damaged or decaying leaves, stems and roots.

2. 
   Insert aquatic plants into the substrate.

   Insert rooted plants into the substrate only up to where the leaves meet the roots. If the plant is mature and has a good root system, you can trim off a third of the roots, including the old brownish ones (dead roots). Tools like a planting stick (or just a pair of long chopsticks) helps.

3. 
   Elephant Ears aquarium plants.

   Plant tubers, like Elephant Ears, at an angle. Make sure the shoots are just above the substrate.

4. 
   Cuttings of Cabomba.

   Separate cuttings that are sold in bunches or clusters. Plant the cuttings individually and spaced out for healthier growth. Trim off a few leaves from the bottom of the stem and bury the stem up to the first bottom leaf.

5. 
   Place tall plants in the back, short ones in front.

   Consider this basic aquarium plant placement: tall ones and those that tend to grow tall and thick should be placed towards the back and along the sides; short and rosette-type plants will look good in the front and center.

6. Provide the right amount of light. Most aquatic plants require 10 to 12 hours of direct light per day. For plants that require bright light, like red-leafed and fine-leafed species, install sufficient fluorescent lighting for the plants to thrive. Consider using aluminum reflectors behind the light source, and make sure the aquarium glass cover is always clean and clear.

7. Fertilize as necessary. Follow aquatic plant fertilizer instructions for delivery and frequency of application.

Tips & Warnings

• Spacing aquatic plants will help provide adequate lighting to the bottom leaves.
• Burying rooted plants too deep will cause the stems to rot.
• Tying cuttings together and thrusting them into the substrate will crush the stems and make them rot.
• Avoid growing plants in areas where fish who have a tendency to dig (like Cichlids) will uproot them. Instead, plant them behind rocks, driftwood, or other dominant decor.
• Do not put the aquarium by the window to solve lighting deficiency problems because this will only encourage algae growth.

Resources

• Practical Fishkeeping: Aquarium Plants
• Freshwater Aquarium Plants
• RightPet: Fish

[RubyBayan]

on 12/23/2007 Glad to help, Mary Ann. If you have questions on fishkeeping, just let me know and I'll do my best to answer them.

[bmi57]

on 12/20/2007 I am buying a large aquarium next summer. I had a smaller one and had it by the window and yes I did have a lot of algae, now I know why. Thank you for the great information and tips.

[RubyBayan]

on 12/12/2007 I'm with you, George. Plastic and fake plants are what some hobbyists resort to, supposedly for ease of maintenance; but I would recommend live plants anytime, for the same reasons you mentioned. Thanks for dropping by.

[gpcs]

on 12/12/2007 Good points, all. As a longtime aquarium hobbyist, I always encourage newcomers to use live plants. People don't realize the ease of care and the tremendous benefits live plants provide these miniature ecosystems.
-George