Keeping an aquarium at home is more than just taking care of your fish. After all, your fish need to live in a safe environment that will make them feel like they are at home under the sea. For that, you may want to look for the best plants for freshwater aquarium.
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There are many benefits to having live plants on aquariums (not just plastic plants). They help add more oxygen to the water for fish to breathe better and they also help in cleaning the water from various contaminants, which can lessen the work of your aquarium filter.
Choosing an ideal plant (or plant bundle) for your freshwater aquarium can be tricky, and so we’ve prepared this comprehensive guide for you!
Top 10 Best Plants for Freshwater Aquarium
If you are looking for plants for freshwater aquarium review, we’ve got you covered with our picks below:
1. G’z Aquarium Floating Plants Package #1
If you are looking for floating plants for your aquarium, this could be a good choice, especially if you are new to setting up a freshwater aquarium.
Floating plants make an aquarium look more realistic and fish-friendly. This set contains 12 each of dwarf water lettuce, Amazon frogbit, and water spangles.
The manufacturer/supplier is quite friendly in terms of shipping – they cancel your order if the temperature in your area or where the plants will go through will be above 85 or below 35 degrees for 1 week. This is to avoid the plants unexpectedly dying while on delivery.
Things We Liked
- Smart shipping to improve survival rate upon delivery
- Great for beginners
- No substrate is required
- No CO2 is required
Things We Didn’t Like
- May be prone to snail infestation
2. Goldfish Aquarium Plant Bundle
This may be considered one of the best freshwater aquarium plants for goldfish because of its just-right rating of 10 gallons and above, which would not smother your goldfish or any similar species of fish.
If you are new to live aquarium plants, this may also be a good choice due to its easy care instructions. It has sufficient size for most small fish, such as goldfish, as well as other invertebrates.
Included in the plant bundle are Java Fern, Kleiner Sword, Lobelia Cardinalis, Hornwort, Anubias, and Hygrophila. Aside from the Hornwort, all of the plants don’t need to be pruned as much, making them easy to care for.
Things We Liked
- No pruning needed for most of the plants
- Works well for goldfish and other small fish
- Ships pest-free
- Works on most small to medium-sized fish tanks
Things We Didn’t Like
- No directions for plant care
3. Florida 10 Species Live Aquarium Plants Bundle
As a bundle of live aquarium plants, they are ideal for 20 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in terms of temperature survivability.
Including 10 plant species, most of them span 6 to 12 inches while the height of the Lobelia Cardinalis is 3 inches. This makes them fit well on most fish tanks from 10 gallons and above.
Most of the plants are colorful and big enough for creating private spaces for small fish as well. Live plants included in this pack, other than the Lobelia Cardinalis, include the Hygrophila Araguaya, Anubias Barteri, Marble Queen, Altlandsberg Sword, Hygrophila Pinnatifida, Telanthera, Java Fern, Vallisneria, and Red Melon Sword.
Things We Liked
- Plant set is quite colorful
- Includes detailed care instructions for plants
- High survivability with proper care
- Good height for most fish tanks
Things We Didn’t Like
- Might be prone to some snails
4. AquaLeaf Aquatics 10 Species Live Aquarium Plants Package
Also ideal for most fish tanks at 10 gallons and above, the plants vary in height and in color so they can add more depth and design to your tank and for your fish environment.
They all survive well on temperatures from 20 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. They also work well with tanks that don’t use a heater.
Included in the package are Moneywort, Hornwort, Red Flame Sword, Amazon Sword, Red Ludwigia, Cryptocoryne Wendtii Bronze, Anacharis, Vallisneria, Cambomba, and Rotala Indica. Each of them has multiple stems that you can strategically plant on your aquarium as you wish.
Things We Liked
- Great height distribution of plants
- Less likelihood of snails
- Smartly packaged and shipped in a sealed polybag
- Works well with most pleco species
Things We Didn’t Like
- Some plants may not arrive as vibrant as in the picture
5. Mainam 30+ Stems Package Live Aquarium Plants
For those who are beginners to set up an aquarium, this may be a choice for you. It contains most plants that are easy to maintain, and there are also a lot of stemmed plants to choose from. The supplier even offers a 3-day live guarantee so that if ever your plants die when it arrives, they’ll send a replacement right away.
Among the plants included in the bundle are Micro Swords, Echinodorus Parviflorus, bundles of Elodea Densa, Cryptocoryne Wendtii Brown, Java Fern, and Anubias barteri broad Leaf.
Things We Liked
- 3-day live guarantee from the manufacturer
- Ideal for beginners
- Compatible with most Betta tanks
- Also works well for turtle tanks
Things We Didn’t Like
- Plants may be a bit too small
6. Greenpro Microsorum Pteropus Potted Live Water Aquarium Plants
For those who want a live aquarium plant that is already potted, this may be a choice for you. It fits well in most aquarium tanks due to its size and shape – with a height of only 14 inches tall, making it perfect for most aquarium tanks as a background or middle plant.
When the plant arrives, it is about 4 to 6 inches but you can grow it to the aforementioned height of 14 inches depending on its environment and care. It is also a USDA-approved potted plant so it will be safe for aquariums. All you need to do is to tie it up to any driftwood or ornament.
Things We Liked
- The quality-designed pot protects the roots during shipping
- Just the right height for most fish tanks
- Easy to attach on either aquarium rocks or driftwood
- Packaged with insulation to protect the plant
Things We Didn’t Like
- Planting instructions may be a bit difficult for beginners
7. SoShrimp Flame Moss Mesh Pad
If you want to add some layer of seagrass onto your aquarium, this may be a nice choice for you. Taxiphyllum sp., also known as Flame Moss, is a great aquarium plant to consider, and this one comes in a 3 x 3-inch sized bundle tied to a mesh made of stainless steel for it to be corrosion-free.
The good thing about this live plant is that it’s not only for fish – it can also work well for shrimp.
Things We Liked
- Shipped in a double ziploc bagged package for protection
- Easy to put onto most fish tanks
- Ideal for both fish and shrimp tanks
- The green color is thick, very natural and healthy-looking
Things We Didn’t Like
- May be prone to snails and snail eggs
- Can be slow to grow
8. Greenpro Dwarf Baby Tears Live Aquarium Plants
Yet another moss bundle, this one may be a great carpet plant for your aquarium aside from the Flame Moss we mentioned earlier. It arrives in a 2.5-inch cup and can be used for both fish and shrimp tanks, or when you’re going for some serious aquascaping.
The moss bundle can be divided into 8 parts or more and with the use of tweezers (so that the plants don’t get destroyed in the process), they can be planted onto any substrate.
Things We Liked
- Safe for both fish and shrimp tanks
- Has a healthy green color and dense look
- Well-packaged shipping method
- Can be split into smaller bunches for aquascaping
Things We Didn’t Like
- The gel from the packaging can be hard to remove
9. Aquarium Plants Discounts Red Flame Sword
If you just want a Red Flame Sword plant instead of a live plant bundle for your aquarium, this may be a choice for you. It survives well on temperatures from 20 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and has a vibrant reddish color.
You can use this plant for both medium and large aquariums due to its height and color. It arrives with a 4 to 6-inch height and only requires a moderate light level of 5,000 to 7,000K for its lighting in the aquarium.
Things We Liked
- Ideal for aquarium owners who only want the Red Flame Sword plant
- Can be ideal for medium to large aquariums
- Ideal for Betta tanks
- Easy to keep for beginners
- Has a vibrant red color
Things We Didn’t Like
- Redness may vary depending on the batch that arrives
10. Greenpro Echinodorus Bleheri Potted Live Aquarium Plants
If you only want the Amazon Sword Paniculatus, also known as the Echinodorus Bleheri, this is probably for you. It is USDA-approved in its packaging and has been thoroughly inspected before it’s packaged to your doorstep. The Amazon Sword is best placed as a background plant in the rear section of your aquarium.
Great for beginners, this plant can possibly grow up to 10 inches in height or more, making it ideal for medium-sized tanks.
Things We Liked
- Ideal for beginners
- Fits well for medium and large tanks
- Less prone to snails
- Well-packaged shipping method
Things We Didn’t Like
- May not fit well for small fish tanks
Things to Consider Before You Buy
In our FAQ section, we’ll give you some pointers on how you can choose the best live plants for freshwater aquarium.
How do you choose the best plants for a freshwater aquarium?
Aquariums come in different sizes and plants also require different ways of caring. There are also plants that may not go well with certain fish (or shrimp) so be careful. For you to know how to pick the best plants for your aquarium, you should consider the following:
1. What aquarium plants are you looking for?
Generally, there are 3 types of aquarium plants: foreground, mid, and background plants:
- Foreground ones are usually slow to grow and are quite short. They allow more space for your fish or aquatic animal to be seen by viewers from the outside of the tank. An example of this would be a carpet plant, such as thick moss.
- Mid plants, also known as mid-ground plants, are usually placed on the side. They can be green and some are also colorful. They are usually taller than the foreground plants.
- Background plants are the tallest of them all, usually almost as tall as your tank size. They create the impression of a natural underwater backdrop so you should consider tall plants if you have a large fish or aquatic tank at home.
2. Do you have a substrate or a planted tank?
Most aquarium plants require a substrate while others are planted tanks and may require a different set of plants. Some plants don’t do well on the substrate while others actually don’t require the substrate to be planted. Others may need to be tied to driftwood or ornament rocks in order to set them up in your aquarium.
3. How is your lighting setup?
The lighting in your aquarium can sometimes be crucial in terms of plant growth. Some fish keepers who are beginners can get frustrated if their plants are not growing well. You can ask the manufacturer the ideal lighting temperature for the said plant so that it will grow well underwater.
4. Are you having fish, shrimp, or any other aquatic animal?
There are specific plants that are okay for both fish and shrimp, while there are also those that are not applicable for shrimp tanks, so you should ask the manufacturer for this.
5. Is it prone to snail infestation?
The usual problem of ordering plants online is the infestation of snails. Be careful and always read the instructions for plant care to avoid getting them. Or, you can read reviews online and find out which plants are less prone to having snails with them.
6. How is the shipping/packaging method?
Plants that are ordered online need to be shipped smartly or else they will die upon arrival. You should consider picking a plant supplier with guarantees when the plant dies or has more positive feedback in terms of plant shipping and packaging methods.
What are the benefits of plants for a freshwater aquarium?
There are a lot of benefits of buying and decorating live plants onto your aquarium, such as the following:
- Help your fish breathe better. Because plants easily convert carbon dioxide into oxygen underwater, your fish will thank you since they will get more breathability.
- Keep your small fish safe. Some fish can be prone to attacks from bigger fish. You can keep the bullying to a minimum by providing them with more privacy using the live plants that are on the aquarium.
- Achieve a more natural-looking environment. Like most animals, fish need a more natural environment for them to stay happy. If they feel like they are in an unnatural place, they may not feel good. By planting live plants in your aquarium, you are replicating their underwater home to make them feel less anxious.
- Lessens tank pollution. Because your tank is filled with more oxygen, it will move water easily for your tank filter so that it will get murky less often. This will also help your tank filter to last longer.
- A natural way of removing nitrates. Because underwater plants help to remove nitrates and other contaminants in water, it will also act as a secondary filter, albeit a smaller and slower one, but will surely help your water to be a cleaner place for your fish to thrive on.
- Improves the design of your aquarium. Keeping fish in an aquarium (or other aquatic animals, for that matter) is not always just about keeping them. Sometimes, making them look impressive for guests is also kind of a good thing. By adding more colorful plants there, your aquarium will be the awe of your family members and other people who look at your fish, as compared to an empty aquarium.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, our winner for the best plants for freshwater aquarium would be the Mainam 30+ Stems Package Live Aquarium Plants because of the 3-day live guarantee from the manufacturer, beginner-friendly setup, and inclusion of most easy-care aquarium plants. Although they can be a bit small for some, they may be your best choice if you just want to order plants online for your aquarium and are afraid of them dying upon shipping.
The other plants are also okay, but most of them have complaints about snail infestations. The Mainam Live Aquarium Plants don’t really have a lot of issues about that, as stated by most reviewers, so they will probably a nice set if you are totally new to aquarium plants.