Top 10 Easy Aquarium Plants for Beginners

Starting your first aquarium? Want it to look green, fresh, and natural without too much work? Don’t worry – you don’t need to be a plant expert to enjoy a beautiful planted aquarium. With the right choices, you can keep aquarium plants healthy even if you’re a beginner.

Why Add Live Plants in Your Aquarium?

Adding live plants to your fish tank is not just about looks. They also bring many benefits:

• Absorb fish waste and harmful toxins

• Produce oxygen for your fish

• Provide hiding spots and comfort

• Help stop algae growth

• Make your tank look more natural and lively.

Let’s look at some plants that are easy to grow, low maintenance, and beginner-friendly!

1. Anubias 

Anubias is one of the toughest and easiest plants for beginners. It grows slowly and doesn’t need fancy lighting.

🔹 Light: Low to medium

🔹 Care: Easy

🔹 Where to place: Tie it to driftwood or rocks

Pro Tip: Don’t bury its roots in the substrate – it may rot.

Anubias Heterophylla (Extra Large)

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2. Java Fern 

Java Fern is a classic choice for beginners. It grows well in different water conditions.

🔹 Light: Low to medium

🔹 Care: Very easy

🔹 Where to place: Tie it to decor or driftwood

Pro Tip: Leaves may turn brown when first planted – it’s normal!

3. Amazon Sword 

If you want a plant that gives a lush, green background, Amazon Sword is a great pick.

🔹 Light: Medium

🔹 Care: Moderate

🔹 Where to place: In the back of the tank (planted in soil)

Pro Tip: Add root tabs to help it grow stronger.

4. Java Moss 

Java Moss is a soft, fuzzy plant that’s perfect for shrimp, fry, and bettas to hide in.

🔹 Light: Low to medium

🔹 Care: Easy

🔹 Where to place: Attach to rocks, driftwood, or let it float

Pro Tip: Trim it often to keep it looking neat.

5. Hornwort 

Hornwort is a fast-growing plant that helps control nitrates in your tank.

🔹 Light: Medium

🔹 Care: Very easy

🔹 Where to place: Float or anchor it in the substrate

Pro Tip: Can grow very fast – keep trimming it regularly!

6. Water Wisteria 

Water Wisteria has beautiful lace-like leaves and is known to grow quickly.

🔹 Light: Medium to high

🔹 Care: Easy

🔹 Where to place: Midground or background

Pro Tip: You can plant it or float it – both ways work.

7. Cryptocoryne (Crypts) 

Crypts are slow growers but look beautiful and stay healthy even in low light.

🔹 Light: Low to medium

🔹 Care: Moderate

🔹 Where to place: Foreground or midground

Pro Tip: May "melt" after planting, but will grow back stronger.

8. Vallisneria 

Also called "Vallis," this plant grows long, ribbon-like leaves that look amazing in the background.

🔹 Light: Medium

🔹 Care: Easy

🔹 Where to place: Background

Pro Tip: Spreads fast by runners, great for filling up your tank.

9. Duckweed 

Duckweed is a floating plant that covers the top of your tank and reduces light for algae control.

🔹 Light: Low to high

🔹 Care: Very easy

🔹 Where to place: Floating

Pro Tip: Scoop out extra duckweed regularly – it grows like crazy!

10. Salvinia 

Salvinia is another floating plant with a soft, velvety texture that adds beauty to the top of your tank.

🔹 Light: Low to medium

🔹 Care: Easy

🔹 Where to place: Floating

Pro Tip: Helps control ammonia and nitrites naturally.

Choosing the right plants for your aquarium doesn’t need to be hard. With these Top 10 easy aquarium plants, you’ll have a beautiful, green, and healthy tank in no time – even if you’re just starting out!

Start small, pick 2–3 plants from this list, and watch your tank transform into a calming, underwater garden.