Who doesn't love fish? All of us? Do you remember when you were little when you had your first aquarium with a goldfish in it?
The sad part is, your poor fish didn't survive very long. ask me, i know. But as sad as it was, things would be different if I knew what I know now.
Why? Because I didn't know you could add fish and plants to an aquarium to help keep my fish alive. so todayVegetablesdecided to help him out by giving him some of the best houseplants to put in his freshwater aquarium.
Not only will your aquarium look beautiful, but these plants will also ensure that your aquarium's water quality remains optimal and that your plants remain alive.
Why is pond water beneficial to plants?
So why is aquarium water quality so beneficial to your plants? If you have a plant in your house, you know you need to feed it to get new growth. Use a compound fertilizer with an NPK value:
nitrogen (N)
phosphorus (P)
Potassium (K)
These three main suppliers provide macronutrients for almost all houseplants, including aquatic plants. Some plants need it in large amounts, while other nutrients require little.
So why grow plants in an aquarium? Then theGet your fish and shrimpsupplies your plants with phosphorus in the form of phosphates for nitrogen compounds such as nitrate. Aquarium plants use these compounds to build amino acids, which become proteins.
It's the building block for your plants, and with a well-stocked tank, you can provide enough for your plants to thrive. So when you grow plants underwater, they absorb the nutrients. This gives houseplants access to a higher level of CO2 in the air compared to live aquarium plants.
This is because the carbon dioxide put into the water is limited and the more efficiently your live plants grow, the cleaner your aquarium water will remain. Planting houseplants in an aquarium will prevent algae growth and provide shelter for your fish.
Indoor plants that can grow in an aquarium.
Growing houseplants in an aquarium is called aquaponics because it combines aquaculture with hydroponics. So you can think of it as a food production system where waste provides nutrients for your plants in an aquarium.
In turn, your plants help purify the aquarium water, keeping your fish alive and providing them with shelter. However, many people associate their aquarium with certain aquatic plants or herbs, such as lettuce.
However, many other plants are available in freshwater aquariums and we have listed them here. But before getting to them, one question keeps popping up. Can anthuriums be grown in water? The answer is still here:
Clean the air around the anthurium and water.
The truth is,According to the UBC Botanical Garden, the answer is NO! Consequently, no species of the genus can survive in water. There are some ways how
adventure shot
Anthurium-Riparium
amnikola adventure
antúrio werfii
ancient adventure
These species grow as berms in very high water during the wet season, but have long since disappeared. In comparison,amnikola adventureand the first species grow as rheophytes.
That's itoutdoor plantsthey have roots on large rocks in fast-flowing streams, but they are not aquatic. finally the plant'Its roots are attached to the rock near the surface of the water. Therefore, they are known as litho-fit (rock dwellers).
According to botanist Dr. Tom Croat, there are no aquatic animalsanthuriumspecies in the world. Therefore, do not try to grow plants just like that.anthuriumwith roots just submerged in water.
Now that we've cleared the air, let's start looking at some houseplants that can grow as freshwater aquarium plants.
Philodendrons as aquatic plants
well not allphilodendronSpecies can grow in an aquarium. The two best houseplants that grow in water areFilodendro-Kordatum(Heart Leaf Philodendron) e ophilodendron pisca(Samtblattranken-Philodendron.)
These two houseplants are similar when it comes to their growing needs. The difference is that the Velvet Leaf philodendron grows horizontally while the Heartleaf philodendron shoots upwards.
Another thing worth noting is that you can submerge the roots in water, but the vines must remain outdoors. Your fish will nibble on the roots as they are not poisonous, but the leaves should never touch the surface of the water as this will turn your fish upside down.
These plants clean the water of toxins like ammonia, nitrate and nitrite and are the easiest plants to grow. But to remove large amounts of carbon dioxide, you can add an aquatic plant for the best results.
So, everyone wins, but keep monitoring the health of your plants.
Pothos are excellent freshwater aquarium plants.
Epipremnus aureumbetter known as pothos, is a popular aquarium plant known as devil's ivy. The plant is difficult to kill, survives in low light and grows well in hydroponic systems.
the big concernFilodendrenis that the foliage is poisonous to humans and animals. Therefore, it can grow in an aquarium if only the root is submerged and the leaves are kept out of the water.
These with their green leavesinside the plantsthey grow rapidly in water with a large amount of fish waste and heavy bioburden. However, before planting houseplants in your aquarium, thoroughly wash the roots from manure and dirt.
if you have a plant–If you eat fish, we recommend placing your pothos in a rear filter hanging away from the filter motor to prevent roots from growing in the impeller. Your plant will develop long tendrils that can climb a wall or along a shelf.
The filamentous roots create a jungle for your fish to swim through. just like withphilodendron,Keep your pothos partially submerged.
Spider plants in aquarium water.
the scientific nameChlorophytum comosum,The spider plant makes an excellent foreground plant in an aquarium. However, spider plants are land plants that live on the edge of ponds. They thrive in high humidity conditions and do well in aquarium water.
However, like other indoor plants, it should not be submerged in water. Keep the root tips in the water with the crown above the waterline to prevent the foliage from getting wet. However, don't expect the plant to purify the water, as you will need to change the water every five to seven days.
So watch out for a color change in the water to let you know it's time to refresh it. Another thing to keep in mind is maintaining the right water temperature for plant growth. As mentioned above, the plant can thrive in low to moderate light.
Monstera plant options in a planted aquarium.
Monstera is another broadleaf plant that can thrive in humid conditions. However, it should be remembered that Monstera is not an aquatic plant, but very adaptable to different growing conditions.
Another notable thing is that you can grow them in water, but they won't grow very large.delicious monsterGrows in a container with well-draining soil. While it is a beginner-friendly plant, you should always keep an eye on your plant.
However, as with most houseplants compared to aquarium plants, they should not be completely submerged in water. Leave the root ball in the water with just the crown on top so it can rise.
Moneywort a live aquarium plant
The scientific name of Moneywort isBacopa monnieribelongsscrupulous casesFamily. It is an easy-to-grow plant, suitable for a planted aquarium. The best part is that it can grow partially or completely submerged in water.
The plant will grow up to 12 inches or more under the proper growing conditions. It grows horizontally until it reaches the surface of the water, especially when not pruned. The only concern is that it tends to fluctuate in water temperature when it's unstable.
Java fern is one of the best houseplants for aquariums.
The java fern, hence the scientific nameMicrosorum pteropusGrows up to 20 cm tall and easily clings to rocks or wood. It is a slow growing plant, but once established, it develops well. These houseplants work just as well as aquatic plants because they grow along rivers, streams, and freshwater banks.
The twig-like structure of the Java fern can be attached to the bottom of the aquarium with the roots in the water. Most fish will not eat java fern and will have a good chance of surviving in the right light conditions.
The Java fern has tiny leaves that produce spores that you can quickly multiply. In addition, you can also opt for African fern which is another ideal option.
Peace lilies are remarkable live aquarium plants.
the scientific nameSpathiphyllumo Peace lilies are unique plants that can be grown in aquaponics, aquarium water and aquariums. It has deep green, huge and rapidly multiplying leaves. Still, the roots must be pruned to control growth.
The plant is low maintenance and thrives in temperatures from 60°F to 80°F with pH levels between 5.8 and 6.5. Peace lilies can reach up to 24 inches and do not need fertilizer, but bright lighting.
As with most planted aquariums with houseplants, the canopy must be kept afloat to survive.
Snake plant for a planted aquarium.
Dracaena trifasciata,better known as the snake plant, it has incredibly narrow leaves. The plant is known to remove toxins from the air and symbolize good luck. Therefore, when placed in an aquarium, it will certainly create the mood.
Another important thing to remember is that a substrate plant needs something to anchor the root. Still, plant care is low and temperatures range from 55°F to 85°F with pH levels ranging from 5.0 to 8.5.
The plant size is one meter in the right growing conditions and ensures the canopy does not submerge.
lucky bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana,or Lucky Bamboo, is a common houseplant grown in pots filled with water. Lucky Bamboo is ideal and unique for aquarium plants. Why? How this bamboo can withstand seasonal flooding to dry spells.
Preferably, you need an aquarium that holds up to five gallons of water and more to support the small groups of sprouts. The plant can grow partially or completely submerged, but it needs ideal water conditions.
Water temperature should be 59°F to 80°F with pH levels of 6.0 to 6.5.
How to design plants in an aquarium.
If you're new to decorating your aquarium with aquarium plants, you don't want to spend a lot of money investing in supplies.
We are here to help you, putting the best background plant to the foreground plants in your aquarium. We also recommend using nutrient rich substrates if you want to add a substrate.
Another notable thing about using live aquarium plants is that it also helps to add some hard items like driftwood and rocks that are safe for your aquarium.
Use pothos and philodendrons to cover the surface.
While pothos and philodendrons grow best partially submerged, they make excellent live plants for covering the surface of your aquarium. But how do you get it?
Start with a cut by taking a few inches long piece of the multileaved stem. Then remove the lower leaves and place the cutting in non-chlorinated water.
Leave the cutting intact in indirect sunlight and allow it to develop roots. Also, change the water once a week or when it's cloudy.
When the roots reach 10 to 15 cm in length, you can transfer them to the aquarium and anchor them, leaving only the root system submerged.
Other materials you can use for your live aquarium plants
In our previous discussion, we mentioned anchoring your plants because most plants grown as houseplants require partial soaking. Here are some useful items you can use to anchor your plants.
Hang the rear filter
A common and easy way to help you grow your plants is with a stove. You can remove the cap and place your plant's roots in the water while using the filter media as an anchor. Alternatively, you can replace the medium with some LECA clay beads to increase the surface area and support the growth of beneficial bacteria.
farmer boxes
You can find acrylic fish growing boxes with suction cups to hold the media and your plants. These are available with suspension.me gFunction on the back to prevent crowding of the aquarium. You can find them in various sizes and chambers.
aircraft hose suction cups
Another great way to grow your pothos plant or any other plant is by using air hose suction cups. With a thick handle, you can fit it with a strap. Or you can use suction cups with cable ties as another option. It's a great way to keep the crown of your plants above water.
glass plant cup
For your bamboo, using glass plant cups that attach to a wall with suction cups is another ideal way to grow live plants in aquariums. So it works like a water column to make sure your plant stays healthy.
using egg cartons
The egg care is placed on top of your aquarium so that the root remains in the water while the crown of the plant remains above the water. The best part is that you can cut the egg case with a wire cutter to add a lid to your aquarium.
paludarium style tank
But if you want to go all the way and start over, paludarium-style tanks are best. The aquarium has an aquatic and terrestrial section.
You can place your land plants on top of wood and rocks to form a hill using some aquarium substrate to grow on. Then place some aquarium plants that can live in the water at the bottom.
The beauty is that you can find tons of tutorials on how to set up your tank so it looks great.
Steps on how to propagate and root your houseplants in an aquarium
Granted, you can't just pull your plant out of a container when the primary source is soil. You must allow the plant to adapt to the water conditions. The best way to do this is through propagation.
We recommend that you first identify the location of your species where you want to make aMother plant cutting. Not all plants you want to root in water have nodes, but most plants do.
Always sterilize pruning shears, knives or shears before pruning your plant.
Then use your utility knife to make a careful cut below a knot about 1/4 inch down.
Then place the cut end into the aquarium, making sure the leaves are above the waterline.
If you are doing water propagation in a container, you will usually need to replenish the water every day to keep it fresh and prevent the cutting from rotting. However, as aquarium water is filtered and oxidized this is not necessary and you will find a root system growing in a few weeks.
Should I feed my plants?
Your plants are living creatures and need to be fed from time to time. It's better to use along term fertilizerdeveloped for aquarium plants. Avoid using one with phosphate as algae will thrive on it.
Your plants will get the nutrients they need from the substrate used in the water through the normal aquarium setup, but that's not enough. Therefore, it also helps to provide additional nutrients to your plants.
Therefore, using liquid fertilizers is an easy way to provide your plant with the nutrients it needs to thrive. Fertilizer provides plants with magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur and even carbon, depending on the species you put in the aquarium.
last thought
At the end of our article, we assume that you have followed all the recommendations. These are recommended plants for use in an aquarium or fish tank. These plants are not fussy; Some love lots of light, while others love moderate or strong light.
Most of these aquarium plants can take some abuse and do well if you have a busy schedule as they will reward you with beautiful foliage time and time again. But before you start with your aquarium plants, remember to provide them with quality water, temperature and light.
Another important thing is to keep the top of your plant above the water, otherwise it will quickly die. So, are you ready to get started and don't have a houseplant? Then take a look at what we have available to get you started.