If you are looking for the best background plants for your aquarium, then you are in the right place.
In this article, I will share with you some background plants that you can use for your large aquariums i.e. 10+ gallon aquariums.
And I will also show you some plants that you can use as background plants for your nano aquarium.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Best Background Aquarium Plants (Quick Table)
| Plant name | Care level | Max height | Check price on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Hygro | Easy | 24 inches | Click here |
| Hornwort | Easy | 10 feet | Click here |
| Anacharis | Easy | 6-8 inches | Click here |
| Aponogeton Crispus | Easy | 9-10 inches | Click here |
| Water wisteria | Easy | 20 inches | Click here |
| Green Cabomba | Moderate | 11 inches | Click here |
| Ludwigia Repens | Easy | 7-19 inches | Click here |
| Jungle Vallisneria | Moderate | 6 feet (2 meters) | Click here |
| Water Sprite | Easy | 13.5 inches | Click here |
| Italian Vallisneria | Easy | 21.65 inch | Click here |
| Corkscrew Vallisneria | Easy | 20 inches | Click here |
| Cryptocoryne Wendtii | Easy | 6 inches | Click here |
| Rotala Indica | Moderate | 8-12 inches | Click here |
| Dwarf Sagittaria | Easy | 12 Inches | Click here |
| Java Fern | Easy | 13.5 inches | Click here |
| Stargrass | Easy | 11 inches | Click here |
| Rotala Rotundifolia | Easy | 5-11 inches | Click here |
Best Background Plants for Aquarium (Detailed Information)
1. Giant Hygro
image source under CC BY-SA 3.0
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Giant Hygro |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Hygrophila corymbosa |
| FAMILY | Acanthaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Medium |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 72-84° F |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 71.43 – 321.43 PPM |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 24 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 Gallons |
Giant hygro is also known as Temple plant.
It is a fast-growing and easy to maintain plant.
It can tolerate a wide range of water parameters which makes it ideal for beginners.
How much light does it require?
Giant hygro doesn’t require high lighting conditions. It can do well in moderate lighting of at least 2 to 3 watts per gallon from a full spectrum bulb of 5000 to 7000K.
Ideal water parameters
Giant hygro can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
With that being said, the ideal temperature for the proper growth of giant hygro is 72 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
The ideal pH range is from 6 to 7.5 and the water hardness tolerance range is from 3 to 8 KH.
Substrate requirements
You can use any substrate for planting Giant hygro in your aquarium but fine gravel is recommended.
Planting Giant hygro is very easy, just place it on the substrate and its stem will start growing roots and get into the substrate.
You can also plant its tip into the substrate.
Fertilization requirements
Giant hygro requires regular dosing of fertilizers that are rich in iron and trace elements.
As Giant hygro gets its nutrients from substrate, add substrate fertilizers like root tabs.
Tip If you keep Giant hygro under high-intensity light or if it doesn’t get a sufficient amount of iron, then its leaves with start turning yellow. So keep this plant in moderate lighting conditions and regularly supplement it with fertilizers rich in iron.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
12 Benefits of Live Plants in an Aquarium
2. Hornwort
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Hornwort |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Anthocerotophyta |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Medium |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 59-86°F |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 5-15 dGH |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 10 foot |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 15 gallons |
Hornwort is a fast-growing plant and it can grow up to 10 feet tall, making it one of the best tall aquarium plants.
This is a very popular plant in the aquarium hobby and it is very easy to maintain.
How much light does it require
When it comes to lighting for hornwort the more light it gets, the faster it grows and the greener it gets.
So provide it with high-intensity light for larger and greener plants.
Substrate requirements
You can use any substrate for hornwort.
This plant doesn’t have any true roots, but you can use its leaves to anchor it into the substrate.
You can also let it float in your aquarium.
Fertilization requirements
The secret to the fast growth of hornwort is its allopathic abilities.
The allopathic abilities allow it to produce a chemical that prevents the growth of other plants in the aquarium.
So hornwort gets all the nutrients available in the aquarium.
If you have any other plants in your aquarium, then you should add some fertilizer so that other plants can get nutrients for their growth.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
3. Anacharis
Image by Christina Cahalane under CC BY 2.0
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Anacharis |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Elodea |
| FAMILY | Hydrocharitaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 60-82° F |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | KH 3-8 |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 6 to 8 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Anacharis is also known as Brazilian Elodea, Brazilian waterweed, and Egeria.
Anacharis can tolerate a wide range of water parameters and it is very easy to maintain, which makes it ideal for beginners.
As this plant can tolerate a wide range of water parameters, you can keep it in both a cold water or a tropical fish tank.
How much light does it require
Ideally, you should provide moderate lighting to Anacharis plant.
If you provide low lighting to this plant, it will die and if you provide it high light then it can cause algae growth.
So, you should provide moderate lighting of at least 2 Watts per gallon to this plant.
Ideal water parameters
Anacharis can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
With that being said, the ideal temperature for Anacharis is from 60 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
The pH tolerance range is from 6.5 to 7.5 and the hardness tolerance range is from 3-8 KH.
One study shows that the different acidity levels affect the respiration of Anacharis.
Substrate requirements
Anacharis can grow in any substrate.
But as it can get nutrients from water and substrate, if you plant it in a nutrient-rich substrate, it will grow fast.
Fertilization requirements
Anacharis can do well without any fertilizers in a cold water aquarium.
But if you have a tropical fish aquarium, then you should supplement it with some fertilizers rich in carbon dioxide.
You can add fertilizers as substrate fertilizers like root tabs or you can also use liquid fertilizers.
Tip This plant can work as a filter by catching and holding floating debris in your aquarium.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
Check out my 20 Tips to Maintain a Healthy Aquarium
4. Aponogeton Crispus
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Aponogeton Crispus |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Aponogeton Crispus |
| FAMILY | Aponogetonaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 64-86° F |
| pH | below 7.5 |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 9-10 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 20 gallon |
Aponogeton Crispus is a tall fast-growing aquarium plant that can grow up to 10 inches.
This is a very easy-to-maintain plant, but it does require a lot of nutrients to thrive.
How much light does it require?
Aponogeton Crispus is not a very light-demanding plant.
It can do well if you just provide it 0.5 watts per liter.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal temperature range for Aponogeton Crispus is from 64 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
The pH of the water should be below 7.5.
Substrate requirements
As mentioned earlier, Aponogeton Crispus requires a lot of nutrients for its proper growth so you should plant it in a nutrient-rich substrate.
Fertilization requirements.
Aponogeton Crispus requires a lot of nutrients to do well in the aquarium so you should provide it with substrate fertilizers as well as liquid fertilizers.
TIP: You should supplement Aponogeton Crispus with CO2 for its fast growth.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
5. Water Wisteria
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Water wisteria |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Hygrophila difformis |
| FAMILY | Acanthaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate to High |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 70-82°F |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 2-8 KH |
| PLACEMENT | Background or Carpet |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 20 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallons |
Water wisteria is a tall fast-growing plant that can grow up to 20 inches.
This is a very hardy plant and can tolerate a wide range of water parameters which makes it ideal for beginners.
How much light does it require?
Water wisteria can do well in any lighting condition, just make sure that it is not in shade.
Ideally, you should provide it at least 2 to 3 watts per gallon light for its optimum growth.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal water temperature for the proper growth of water wisteria is between 70-82 degrees Fahrenheit.
The pH tolerance range is from 6.5 to 7.5 and the hardness tolerance range is from 2 to 8 KH.
Substrate requirements
In their natural habitat, water wisteria grows in the sand substrate so ideally you should use sand substrate to plant it in your aquarium.
But it can do well in fine gravel substrate as well.
There will be some differences in the size and growth rate of this plant according to the substrate.
Fertilization requirements
Water wisteria can do well without any fertilizers but you can supplement it with some liquid fertilizers for greener and faster growth.
TIP:Provided with sufficient nutrients water wisteria can grow very quickly. So you should keep an eye on its growth and do regular trimming.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
Plants Help to Lower Ammonia in Aquarium
6. Green Cabomba
Image by Show ryu under CC BY-SA 3.0
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Green Cabomba |
| COMMON NAMES | Green Cabomba, Carolina Fanwort, Brazilian Fanwort, Fanwort |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Cabomba caroliniana |
| FAMILY | Cabombaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Moderate |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Medium to High |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 72 – 82 ℉ |
| pH | 6.8 – 7.5 |
| HARDNESS | KH 3-8 |
| PLACEMENT | Background or Floating |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 11 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Green Cabomba is native to the southern United States and it is spreading to northen areas of the United States and in other countries as well.
Green Cabomba is a tall fast-growing aquarium plant that can grow up to 11 inches.
It is also known as Carolina fanwort or Brazilian fanwort.
This is a very delicate plant and it is a bit difficult to maintain so if you are a beginner then this may not be a good choice for you.
You should also avoid this plant if you have plant-eater fish like Goldfish, cichlids, etc in your aquarium.
How much light does it require?
When it comes to lighting for Green Cabomba it doesn’t require a very high intensity light.
You should provide it with low to moderate light for a longer time.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal temperature for the growth of Green Cabomba is between 70-82 degrees Fahrenheit.
The pH tolerance range is from 6.8 to 7.5 and the water hardness should be between 3-8 KH.
Substrate requirements
You can let Green Cabomba plant float in your aquarium or you can also plant it in the substrate.
If you are going to plant it in the substrate then you should use a nutrient-rich substrate for this plant.
Fertilization requirements
Green Cabomba requires a good amount of iron for its proper growth.
So, you should provide it with fertilizers in the form of root tabs for liquid fertilizers that are rich in iron and other minerals.
You can also supplement the plant with CO2, though it is not necessary.
TIP: Growing a Green Cabomba plant can be challenging but if you provide it with the ideal environment and nutrients then it can easily take over your tank so you should trim it regularly.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
Plants helps to lower temperature in aquarium
7. Ludwigia Repens
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Ludwigia Repens |
| COMMON NAMES | Ludwigia repens, Ludwigia repens Rubin, Red repens, Ludwigia sp. Weinrot, Red-Leaf Ludwigia, Creeping Primrose-Willow |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Ludwigia repens |
| FAMILY | Onagraceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low to very high |
| GROWTH RATE | Moderate to Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 60- 86oF |
| pH | 5 – 8 |
| HARDNESS | Very soft to hard level |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 7-19 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Ludwigia repens is a tall stem plant and it is very easy to care for.
You can keep this plant in a cold water aquarium because it can tolerate temperatures as less as 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you provide it with ideal water parameters and nutrients then it can grow very fast.
This is a very popular coloring plant and it comes in different color varieties from green to brown and red.
How much light does it require?
Ludwigia repens requires moderate to high light for its proper growth.
You should provide it with light of at least 2-4 Watts per gallon.
Ideal water parameters
Ludwigia repens can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
It can survive in temperatures as less as 60℉ to up to 86℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 5-8.
You don’t have to worry about hardness when it comes to this plant because it can tolerate any hardness level from very soft to hard water.
Substrate requirements
You can plant Ludwigia repens in any substrate.
But I recommend you avoid sand substrate (except organic volcanic sand) because it can suffocate its roots.
Fertilization requirements
Ludwigia repens is a very hardy plant and it can grow on its own without any fertilizers.
But if you supply it with CO2 fertilizers then it will grow faster.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
8. Jungle Vallisneria
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Jungle Vallisneria |
| COMMON NAMES | Jungle Val, water celery, tape grass or eelgrass |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Vallisneria Americana |
| FAMILY | Hydrocharitaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Intermediate |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Medium |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 65° – 85° F |
| pH | 6.8 – 8.0 |
| HARDNESS | Moderately Hard to Very Hard |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 6 feet (2 meters) |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Jungle Vallisneria is a very hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
It is a tall plant that can grow up to 6 feet.
It is one of the earliest aquatic plants in the aquarium hobby and it is still the favorite of many aquarists.
How much light does it require?
When it comes to light for Jungle Vallisneria the more light it gets the faster it will grow.
For good coloration and growth of it, you should provide it with high light.
It can do well in low lighting as well but it will affect its growth.
You can use any light for this plant whether that is LED, fluorescent, CFL, etc.
Ideal water parameters
As mentioned earlier Jungle Vallisneria can tolerate a wide range of water parameters, especially the temperature.
It can tolerate temperatures as low as 65℉ to up to 85℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 6.8-8.0.
And it does well in moderately hard to very hard water.
Substrate requirements
Jungle Vallisneria does well in gravel or sand substrate. But for faster growth, you can plant it in nutrient-rich substrate.
Fertilization requirements
One study shows that Jungle Vallisneria can do well with limited nutrients but it will do better if you provide it with some additional supplements.
So, for the faster growth of Jungle Vallisneria, you should supplement it with iron-rich fertilizers.
You should add these fertilizers after the weekly water change.
Check out my 6 Tips to Take Care of Live Plants in Aquarium
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
9. Water Sprite
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Water Sprite |
| COMMON NAMES | Water Fern, Indian Fern |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Ceratopteris thalictroides |
| FAMILY | Pteridaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Medium to high |
| GROWTH RATE | Low to Moderate |
| TEMPERATURE | 68-82°F |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | KH 3-8 |
| PLACEMENT | Mid to Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 13.5 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 Gallons |
Water Sprite is one of the most common aquatic plants in the hobby.
This is a tall, stem plant that can grow up to 13 inches.
It is also very easy to care for which makes it ideal for beginners.
How much light does it require?
In their natural habitat, Water sprite grows in high lighting conditions.
So, you should provide it with high lighting in your aquarium.
Ideal water parameters
Water Sprite is tolerant to a wide range of water parameters.
The ideal water temperature range for this plant is from 68 to 82 ℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 6 to 7.5
And the hardness tolerance range is from 3-8 KH.
Substrate requirement
You can let Water Sprite float in your aquarium or you can plant it into the substrate.
You can use any substrate for this plant.
With that being said, sand or gravel substrate is recommended.
Also, if you keep this plant in a nutrient-rich substrate, it will encourage fast growth.
If you let it float in your aquarium then its leaves will grow larger as it will get more light on the surface.
Fertilization requirement
Water Sprite can do well without any fertilizers.
But if you supplement it with regular doses of fertilizers then it will accelerate its growth.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
10. Italian Vallisneria
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Italian Vallisneria |
| COMMON NAMES | Italian Vallisneria |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Vallisneria spiralis |
| FAMILY | Hydrocharitaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Moderate to Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 72-80℉ |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 4 – 18°N |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 11.81 – 21.65 inch |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Italian Vallisneria is a very hardy and cheap plant.
It is a tall plant that can grow up to 21 inches.
It is very easy to care for and if you provide it with the ideal environment and nutrients then it can grow very fast.
How much light does it require?
Italian Vallisneria can do well under moderate lighting.
But for faster growth, you should keep it in high lighting conditions.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal temperature for the proper growth of Italian Vallisneria is from 72 to 80℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 6 to 7.5 and the hardness tolerance range is from 4 to 18°N.
Substrate requirement
You can use any substrate (even send) for Italian Vallisneria.
Fertilization requirements
Italian Vallisneria can do well without any fertilizers but if you supplement it with additional CO2 fertilizers then it can promote faster growth.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
Best background plants for nano tanks
1. Corkscrew Vallisneria
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Corkscrew Vallisneria |
| COMMON NAMES | Corkscrew Val |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Vallisneria torta |
| FAMILY | Tapegrass |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate to High |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 68-82.5 °F |
| pH | 5-8 |
| HARDNESS | Hard water |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 20 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Corkscrew Vallisneria can tolerate a wide range of water parameters and it is very easy to maintain which makes it ideal for beginners.
It is a very good background plant for small to medium aquariums.
How much light does it require?
Ideally, you should provide high lighting to Corkscrew Vallisneria but it can do well in moderate lighting as well.
Ideal water parameters
Corkscrew Vallisneria can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
That being said, the ideal temperature for it is from 68 to 82℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 5 to 8 and it does well in hard water.
Substrate requirements
Corkscrew Vallisneria can do well in almost any substrate but if you plant it in a nutrient-rich substrate then it will help it to grow quickly.
Fertilization requirements
You should add some root tabs for the faster growth of Corkscrew Vallisneria.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
2. Cryptocoryne Wendtii
Image by Haplochromis under CC BY 2.5
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Cryptocoryne Wendtii |
| COMMON NAMES | Wendt’s Cryptocoryne, water trumpet |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Cryptocoryne Wendtii |
| FAMILY | Araceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low |
| GROWTH RATE | Medium |
| TEMPERATURE | 72-82° F |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| HARDNESS | KH 3-8 |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 6 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Cryptocoryne wendtii is a very commonly used plant in the aquarium hobby, especially, in tropical aquariums.
This plant comes in several color variations like red, brown, green, etc.
It also comes in several leaf sizes ranging from 5 to 18 inches.
Particularly, green Cryptocoryne wendtii is suitable as a background plant for small aquariums.
This plant can grow up to 10 to 15 CM and it is very easy to care for.
How much light does it require?
Cryptocoryne wendtii can tolerate any lighting condition from low to high lighting.
Ideally, you should use fluorescent T5 or T8 bulbs for it.
You can also use any LED lighting bulbs as well.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal water temperature for the proper growth of Cryptocoryne wendtii is from 72 to 80 ℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 6 to 8 and the hardness should be between 3 to 8 KH.
Substrate requirements
Cryptocoryne wendtii gets most of its nutrients from the substrate so you should use a nutrient-rich substrate for it.
But you can also use gravel substrate or any soil substrate as well but then you will have to supplement it with root tabs.
Fertilization requirements
For the proper growth of Cryptocoryne wendtii, you should supplement it with fertilizers in the form of root tabs and liquid fertilizers.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
3. Rotala Indica
Image source under CC BY 2.0
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Rotala Indica |
| COMMON NAMES | Indian toothcup |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Rotala Indica |
| FAMILY | Lythraceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Moderate |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate to High |
| GROWTH RATE | Moderate to fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 72-82° F |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | KH 3-8 |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 2 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Rotala Indica is a fast-growing stem plant.
This plant is a bit tricky to maintain because it requires strict water parameters.
It will do well in a tropical fish aquarium and you should avoid it if you have a cold water aquarium.
It is a very delicate plant so you should avoid it keeping in your aquarium if you have some aggressive plant-eater fish like Goldfish.
How much light does it require?
Rotala Indica can do well in moderate to high light.
Ideally, you should provide it at least 3 to 5 watts per gallon.
Ideal water parameters
Rotala Indica is not tolerant to a wide range of water parameters.
The ideal water temperature for this plant is from 70-82℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 6.5 to 7.5 and the hardness should be between 3 to 8 KH.
Substrate requirements
You should use sand substrate or fine gravel substrate for planting Rotala Indica in your aquarium.
Fertilization requirements
You should supplement Rotala Indica with fertilizers rich in iron, potassium, trace element, and carbon dioxide.
You should also supplement it with additional CO2.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
4. Dwarf Sagittaria
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Dwarf Sagittaria |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Sagittaria subulata |
| FAMILY | Alismataceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 68-82°F |
| pH | 6-8 |
| HARDNESS | 3-12 |
| PLACEMENT | Mid-foreground |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 12 Inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 10 gallon |
Dwarf Sagittaria is a fast-growing and easy-to-maintain plant.
It can tolerate a wide range of water parameters and you can use it in tropical as well as cold water aquarium.
This is a very hardy plant which makes it ideal for beginners.
How much light does it require?
Ideally, you should provide it with moderate lighting.
Ideal water parameters
The ideal temperature for the proper growth of Dwarf Sagittaria is from 68 to 80℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 6-8 and the water hardness tolerance range is between 3 to 12.
Substrate requirements
The ideal substrate for Dwarf Sagittaria is a soil substrate that is rich in iron and CO2.
Fertilization requirement
This plant can do well without any fertilizers but you can supplement it with some root tabs.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
5. Java Fern
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Java Fern |
| COMMON NAMES | Java Fern |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Microsorum pteropus |
| FAMILY | Polypodiaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low to Moderate |
| GROWTH RATE | Low to Moderate |
| TEMPERATURE | 68-82oF |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| HARDNESS | 60-160 ppm |
| PLACEMENT | Mid to Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 13.5 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 Gallons |
Java fern is a stem plant and it is very easy to maintain.
This plant can tolerate a wide range when it comes to the temperature so you can use it in a tropical fish aquarium as well as a cold-water fish aquarium.
It is also a very hardy plant which makes it ideal for beginners
How much light does it require?
Java fern does well in moderate lighting.
Ideally, you should provide it with at least 2 watts of light per gallon.
Ideal water parameters
As mentioned earlier, Java fern can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
It can tolerate temperatures from 68 to 82℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 6 to 7.5 and the hardness tolerance range is from 3 to 8 KH.
Substrate requirements
Java fern doesn’t require any substrate.
It gets most of its nutrients from the water.
You can tie eat to any ornament or driftwood in your aquarium.
You can also let it float in your aquarium.
Fertilization requirements
Java fern can do well without any fertilizers.
But if you supplement it with some fertilizers then it will encourage faster growth.
As it gets most of its nutrients from the water, you should provide it with liquid fertilizers.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
Plants help to increase oxygen in the aquarium
6. Stargrass
Image by Kenraiz under CC BY-SA 4.0
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Stargrass |
| COMMON NAMES | Stargrass |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Heteranthera zosterifolia |
| FAMILY | Pontederiaceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low |
| GROWTH RATE | Fast |
| TEMPERATURE | 50-86°F |
| pH | 5 – 8 |
| HARDNESS | 0 – 21°dKH |
| PLACEMENT | Background, Midground |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 11 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Stargrass is a tall fast-growing aquarium plant that can grow up to 11 inches.
This plant is very easy to care for and it can tolerate a wide range of water parameters which makes it ideal for beginners.
You can keep this plant in a cold water aquarium as it can tolerate low temperatures as low as 50℉.
How much light does it require?
Stargrass is very undemanding when it comes to lighting.
It can survive in any lighting condition from low to high.
But it will show its full potential only when you supplement it with additional CO2 fertilizers and strong lighting.
Ideal water parameters
As mentioned earlier star grass can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
The ideal water temperature range for this plant is from 50-86℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 5 to 8 and it can tolerate the hardness of water up to 21°KH.
Fertilization requirements
Stargrass can survive without any fertilizers but to reach its full potential it will require some fertilizers.
So, you should supplement it with some fertilizer, especially fertilizers that are rich in CO2.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
7. Rotala Rotundifolia
Image by Jessa under CC BY-ND 2.0
| PARAMETERS | VALUES |
|---|---|
| PLANT | Rotala Rotundifolia |
| COMMON NAMES | Dwarf Rotala, Roundleaf toothcup |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Rotala Rotundifolia |
| FAMILY | Lythraceae |
| CARE LEVEL | Easy |
| LIGHT REQUIREMENT | Low |
| GROWTH RATE | Medium |
| TEMPERATURE | 39-89 °F |
| pH | 4 – 8 |
| HARDNESS | 2 – 30°dGH |
| PLACEMENT | Background |
| MAXIMUM SIZE | 5-11 inches |
| MINIMUM TANK SIZE | 5 gallon |
Rotala rotundifolia is a very popular tall, stem plant that can grow up to 11 inches.
This plant can tolerate a wide range of water parameters, especially temperature and you can use it in both cold water aquariums and tropical aquariums.
This plant can produce red leaves when it gets sufficient light.
How much light does it require?
Rotala rotundifolia is a relatively undemanding plant when it comes to light compared to other species of the genus Rotala.
This plant can do well in medium light but to produce red leaves it requires strong lighting.
Ideal water parameters
Rotala rotundifolia can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.
It can tolerate water temperatures as low as 39℉ to 89℉.
The pH tolerance range is from 4 to 8 and the hardness tolerance range is from 2 to 30° dGH
Fertilization requirements
Rotala rotundifolia can do well without any fertilization fertilizers.
But if you supplement it with some fertilizers then it will encourage faster growth.
Where to buy online
Buy this plant from Amazon here
Best low-light background aquarium plants
Here is a list of the best low-light background aquarium plants:
- Ludwigia Repens
- Cryptocoryne Wendtii
- Java Fern
- Stargrass
- Rotala Rotundifolia
I have given detailed information about these aquarium plants along with the images above.
So make sure to check it out so you can get started with planting these plants right away.
Best tall aquarium plants
Here is the list of the best tall aquarium plants
- Giant Hygro
- Hornwort
- Anacharis
- Aponogeton Crispus
- Water Wisteria
- Green Cabomba
- Ludwigia Repens
- Jungle Vallisneria
- Water Sprite
- Italian Vallisneria
- Corkscrew Vallisneria
- Cryptocoryne Wendtii
- Rotala Indica
- Java Fern
- Stargrass
- Rotala Rotundifolia
I have given detailed information about all of these tall growing aquarium plants above, along with images.
So make sure to check it out so you can get started with planting these plans in your tank right away.
Besides, I have written a detailed article covering the 24 best tall aquarium plants here.
How to choose the best background aquarium plants for your aquarium (buyers guide)
There are a few things that you need to keep in mind while choosing background aquarium plants for your aquarium.
Choose healthy plants
If you are shopping for live aquarium plants offline, then you should choose plants that look lush and have a lot of new leaf growth. This way, you know that the plant is doing well.
And you should avoid choosing plants that have brown or melting leaves.
If you want to keep live plants that grow roots, then you should make sure the plant actually has some roots so that you can plant it in your fish tank right away.
Besides, you should also inspect the plant thoroughly and make sure that it doesn’t have any snails on it.
Size of the background aquarium plant
Generally, background aquarium plants can grow pretty tall.
So you need to choose the background aquarium plants that are suitable for the height of your aquarium.
You should choose background aquarium plants that can grow roughly to the height of your aquarium.
Now if there are any background aquarium plants that you like but that grow pretty tall, in that case, you can still keep them in your aquarium. But just remember that you will need to trim them regularly so that they will not overgrow.
How easy are the background plants to care for
This factor is especially important for beginners who are just getting started with live aquarium plants.
If you are just getting started with live aquarium plants, then ideally you should choose background aquarium plants that are very easy to care for.
And actually, there are a lot of options available when it comes to easy-to-care for background aquarium plants.
The following are some easy-to-care-for background aquarium plants:
- Giant hygro
- Hornwort
- Anacharis
- Aponogeton Crispus
- Water Wisteria
- Ludwigia Repens
- Water Sprite
- Italian Vallisneria
- Corkscrew Vallisneria
- Cryptocoryne Wendtii
- Dwarf Sagittaria
- Java Fern
- Stargrass
- Rotala Rotundifolia
I have given detailed information about these plants along with the images above.
So make sure to check it out if you want to keep them in your tank so that you can get started with them right away.
The colors of the background aquarium plants
While choosing background aquarium plants, you should have a good understanding of the kind of aquascape you want to create in your tank.
Specifically, if you want some sort of coloration in your tank, for example, if you want to have some red coloration in your tank, then you should choose red background aquarium plants such as Rotala Rotundifolia and Ludwigia Repens.
Besides that, if you want to have green coloration in the background of your tank, there are a lot of varieties of green aquarium plants.
Some examples include:
- Java fern
- Stargrass
- Cryptocoryne wendtii
- Corkscrew vallisneria
- Italian vallisneria
- Water sprite
- Jungle vallisneria
- Green cabomba
- Water wisteria
- Aponogeton Crispus
- Anacharis
- Hornwort
- Giant Hygro
Substrate in your aquarium
The existing substrate in your aquarium comes into play when deciding which background aquarium plants you can keep in your tank.
Basically, some background aquarium plants are more demanding and are heavy root feeders compared to others.
So for the background aquarium plants that are heavy root feeders, ideally, you should plant them in a nutrient-rich substrate.
If you have gravel or sand substrate in your aquarium, then in that case, you should avoid planting heavy root feeders and demanding background aquarium plants.
Instead, you should go for plants that can do well without a nutrient-rich substrate.
And there are a lot of background aquarium plants that can do just fine in gravel or sand substrate.
Some examples include:
- Giant hygro
- Hornwort
- Anacharis
- water wisteria (sand substrate)
- Ludwigia repens
- Jungle Vallisneria
- Water Sprite
- Italian Vallisneria
- Corkscrew Vallisneria
- Cryptocoryne wendtii
- Rotala Indica
- Java Fern
I have given detailed information about these plants above, so make sure to check it out so you can get started with keeping them in your aquarium right away.
Light requirements for the background aquarium plants
Live aquarium plants need specific lighting conditions for them to do well in aquariums.
That’s why you should choose the background aquarium plants according to the light you already have in your tank.
For example, if you have low light in your aquarium, you should go for the live aquarium plants that can do well under low light or the plants that can do well in any lighting condition.
Some examples of such aquarium plants include:
- Water wisteria
- Aponogeton Crispus
- Ludwigia Repens
- Jungle Vallisneria
- Cryptocoryne wendtii
- Stargrass
I have given detailed information about each of these low-light background aquarium plants above. So make sure to check it out so you can get started planting them in your tank right away.
Benefits of live background aquarium plants
There are several benefits of keeping live background aquarium plants in your aquarium.
Live background aquarium plants produce oxygen
Background aquarium plants produce oxygen in your fish tank during the day.
The fish in your aquarium needs oxygen to survive, which is why this is one of the most important benefits of keeping live aquarium plants in your tank.
Algae reduction
Live background aquarium plants are generally fast growing so they will absorb the nutrients that algae need to grow in your tank, hence starving the algae, which restricts their growth in the aquarium.
Emulate the natural habitat of fish
In the natural habitat of fish, there is a lot of vegetation, so when you plant some background plants in your tank, it helps you to create and emulate the natural habitat of the fish, which makes your fish feel at home.
Added filtration
Live background aquarium plants are usually fast growing so for their growth, they will rapidly absorb nitrates, which are nutritious for the plants but harmful to the fish.
Besides these benefits, there are a lot more benefits to keeping live aquarium plants in your aquarium.
Aquascaping tips for background aquarium plants
Now I will share with you a couple of beginner aquascaping tips for you to get started with background aquarium plants.
Let’s start with the obvious one.
Keep the plants in the background
Background aquarium plants are usually tall growing.
That’s why you should plant them in the background of your tank.
This way, they will not be covering any other small aquarium plants in your aquarium.
Put the background plants near aquarium equipment
Most people don’t like the look of aquarium equipment such as aquarium heater and aquarium filter in their fish tank.
And you can easily cover these equipment with background aquarium plants.
Just plant the background aquarium plants before the equipment to cover them in your aquarium.
Ideal tank setup for background aquarium plants
Now I will share with you some information about the ideal tank setup for background aquarium plants and how to create it in your aquarium.
Lighting for the plants
Background aquarium plants need light for them to do well in aquariums.
Each species of plant has different lighting requirements.
Some live plants can do well in low to moderate lighting conditions. And others do well under high lighting conditions.
That’s why it is very important to know beforehand the lighting requirements of the background aquarium plants that you want to keep in your tank.
And you should provide the ideal lighting condition to the plants so that they can grow in your aquarium properly.
The easiest way to provide proper lighting to the aquarium plants in your tank is by using an aquarium light.
I recommend this aquarium light because you can adjust the brightness with this aquarium light.
Substrate for aquarium plants
When it comes to background aquarium plants, there are some that absorb more nutrients through their roots than others.
And for such heavy root feeder aquarium plants, ideally, you should be planting them in a nutrient-rich substrate so that they can get a lot of nutrients that they can absorb through their roots.
Besides, if you already have a sand or gravel substrate but still want to keep some heavy root feeder aquarium plants in your tank, you can provide them with the essential nutrients by inserting root tabs into the substrate.
Besides, there are a lot of undemanding plants that can do well in any substrate without any additional fertilization through root tabs.
Fertilizers
Plants need nutrients to grow and thrive in your aquarium. Some plants need more nutrients than others.
That’s why, generally, it is best practice to add some fertilizer to your tank after doing a water change so that the plants can get the essential nutrients they need to grow and thrive in your aquarium.
Now plants absorb nutrients through their roots as well as through their lives from the water column.
And some plants absorb more nutrients through their roots than their leaves, and vice versa.
So depending on the plant, you should use liquid fertilizers or root tabs to provide nutrients to the live aquarium plants.
For example, if you have heavy root feeder aquarium plants, you should provide them with nutrients using root tabs.
On the other hand, if you have live aquarium plants that absorb nutrients through their leaves from the water column, then you should provide them with nutrients using liquid fertilizers.
CO2 injection
Plants need CO2 just as we need oxygen to survive.
And live aquarium plants can get some CO2 that is dissolved in the water of the aquarium.
However, there are some demanding background live aquarium plants, such as Rotala Indica, that have to have a lot of nutrients along with CO2 injection for them to do well and look their best in the aquarium.
And for such plants, the easiest way to provide the additional CO2 is by installing an aquarium CO2 kit in your aquarium.
Filtration in your aquarium
Every aquarium needs optimum filtration, including planted aquariums.
Good water filtration not only helps to remove the physical impurities from the water of your aquarium but also helps to maintain and regulate the ideal water chemistry in your tank.
That’s why it is very important to have a good filtration system in place for your aquarium.
The easiest way to make sure that your fish tank has proper filtration is to install an aquarium water filter.
You should choose the aquarium water filter according to the size of your aquarium.
Generally speaking, if you have a smaller aquarium of up to 10 gallons, then a small hang-on-the-back filter or a sponge filter is sufficient for the filtration.
However, if you have a larger tank, you should have a larger hang on the back filter or, ideally, a canister filter installed in your aquarium for filtration.
I recommend this sponge filter.
I recommend this hang on the back filter.
I recommend this canister filter.
Tips for planting and taking care of background aquarium plants
Now I am going to share with you some basic tips that will help you grow live aquarium plants in the background of your tank.
Planting live aquarium plants
There are different types of background aquarium plants.
For example, there are stem plants and rosette plants.
And depending on the plant, you will need to plant it a little differently in the background of your tank.
You need substrate to keep background aquarium plants
As you will need to plant the live aquarium plants in the background of your tank, you will need some sort of substrate to anchor them in the background of your tank.
If you want to plant heavy root feeder plants, then ideally your fish tank should have a nutrient-rich substrate.
If you are planting undemanding plants, then you can plant them in any substrate, whether that is sand or gravel.
Planting stem plant
Planting stem plants is a very simple process.
Generally, stem plants are sold in bunches, so you will need to separate each plant before planting it in the tank.
If you are planting stem plants that grow roots, then you will need to bury the roots of the plant in the substrate of your aquarium.
If you are planting live aquarium plants that do not grow roots, you can simply bury the end of the plant’s stem into the substrate to anchor the plant in the background of your tank.
Planting Rossete plant
Generally, you will need to buy rosette plants separately.
And while planting multiple rosette plants, you should make sure to keep some spacing between the plants so that they are not overshadowing each other.
How much space you should keep between each plant really depends on its leaf structure of the plants you are planting.
For example, if you have a plant like Amazon Sword whose leaves grow pretty large and wide, you should plant it in the middle of your tank, and you should keep a lot of space between the plants if you are planting multiple plants.
Providing fertilizer to plants
Plants need nutrients to grow in your aquarium.
Now plants can naturally get some nutrients in your aquarium without any fertilizers.
However, some plants are more demanding than others.
So if you want to keep some demanding aquarium plants in your tank, then you should supplement them with essential nutrients in the form of fertilizers.
There are two types of fertilizers you can use in your fish tank.
1. Liquid fertilizers
If you are keeping live aquarium plants that mostly absorb nutrients through their leaves, then you should supplement such plants with liquid fertilizers.
2. Root tabs
If you are keeping background live aquarium plants that absorb most of the nutrients through their roots, then you will need to supplement or provide them fertilizers using root tabs.
Trim the plants regularly
In the background of the tank, you will need to put tall-growing aquarium plants.
And generally, these plants will grow pretty fast and tall if provided with the ideal environment.
Because the plants will grow quickly, you will need to keep up with trimming them on a regular basis, or they will outgrow your aquarium.
Besides, you should also trim any dead or melting leaves from the aquarium plants.
Here is a video showing how to trim your aquarium plants.
FAQ
Background aquarium plants are generally tall growing stem or rosette plants.As these plants grow pretty tall, they should be kept in the background of the tank so that they do not cover any other plants or ornaments in your fish tank.
How big aquarium plants can get really depends on the species of the plant.
There are some species of plants that don’t grow very tall, and you should keep such plants in the foreground of your aquarium.
On the other hand, there are some species of live aquarium plants, for example, jungle valisnaria, that can grow as tall as 6 feet, so you should keep them in the background of your tank.
Besides, here is a list of the best tall-growing aquarium plants that can grow pretty tall.
No, betta fish don’t need tall aquarium plants. However, there are a lot of benefits to keeping tall aquarium plants in a betta fish tank.
For example, tall growing aquarium plants can help to absorb harmful nitrates from your fish tank, oxygenate your fish tank, etc.
Hornwort is the fastest growing aquarium plant, and it can grow as tall as 10 feet.
Besides, there are several other fast growing aquarium plants such as Amazon sword, Java moss, anacharis, water wisteria, etc.
Fish will prefer an aquarium background because there are a few benefits to having an aquarium background.
If you have an aquarium background on two to three sides of your tank, then it helps reduce the chances that your fish will see its reflection. This is important because if your fish sees its reflection, it may assume that there is another fish in the tank and try to fight with it, which can make them stressed.
Besides, the background of the tank also helps to hide the cords and tubes of your aquarium filter and heater.
Also, an aquarium background can enhance the look of your fish tank.
Conclusion
So these are the best background plants for aquarium.
I hope you found this list helpful.
Let me know if you have any doubts or questions in the comments section below and I’ll be happy to answer them all.
Also, if you like this article then please share it.
Happy fishkeeping!
