Tell Me More About Your Tank
Share a few details about your setup and the look you're going for. We'll use them to recommend plants that will thrive in your tank and suit your aquascape.
1. What is your aquascape style?
2. Do you have a CO2 system?
3. What fish are in your tank?
4. What is your tank size?(select any)
Adding Plants To Your Aquarium
Choosing the right plants
Match plants to your light and CO2 first. Low-tech tanks without CO2 do best with hardy, undemanding species — anubias, java fern, cryptocorynes, and most mosses — while bright light plus pressurised CO2 unlocks fast carpets and vivid red stems. Think in layers: tall plants for the background, mid-height around the sides, low carpets at the front, epiphytes on your hardscape, and floaters up top. Also consider your fish — boisterous diggers or plant-nibblers (goldfish, big cichlids) call for tough, well-anchored plants.
Planting & getting established
Rinse new plants and remove any rockwool or pots before planting. Tuck stems and carpets into the substrate with tweezers, and tie or glue epiphytes like anubias and java fern onto wood or rock — never bury their rhizome or it will rot. Plant densely from day one: a full tank out-competes algae for nutrients. Expect some "melt" as plants convert to underwater growth — that's normal, so be patient and don't rip them out.
Keeping them healthy: light, nutrients & trimming
Give plants a consistent 6–8 hours of light a day; longer or overly bright lighting mostly feeds algae. Dose a balanced liquid fertiliser (and root tabs for heavy root feeders), and keep CO2 or liquid carbon steady if you use it. Trim stems regularly to keep growth compact and let light reach lower leaves, remove dying foliage, and stay on top of water changes so nutrients stay balanced and algae stays away.