HOW MANY TYPES OF PLANT CAN BE USED IN AN AQUARIUM
A planted aquarium is living art, and designing the layout requires careful thought and planning. Draw a rough sketch of the plant and hardscape – rocks and driftwood – layout. Once you’ve installed the hardscape, start in back with tall plants such as Vallisneria or Sagittaria grasses, or stem plants that grow rapidly. Leave enough space around large broadleaf species to prevent them from blocking light to smaller plants as they grow. There are mostly three main types of plants.
ROOTED PLANTS
Rooted plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They spread from runners rather than seed. These are the plants that can be used in an aquarium garden for background plantings. Rooted plants usually grow from 8 to 12 inches tall, there are many types of rooted plants :
- Eel Grass (Vallisneria) : Leaves are light green ribbons. Some are corkscrewed. All bend and twist with the slightest water movement.
- Sword Plant : This bright green beauty is one of the few types of aquarium plants that should be grown in pots. Use a shallow one with soil filling the bottom half topped by gravel or sand.
- Fanwort (Cabomba) : Light green, fan shaped, feathery leaves grow from central stalks. This one’s an eye-catcher.
- Elodea : Narrow leaves grow around stems that can reach 3 feet long.
BUNCH PLANTS
Bunch plants get their names from the way they are planted, in groups or bunches. They grow rapidly and need lots of light. Bunch plants can be used in an aquarium equivalent of middle ground plants. Each individual strand should be planted in its own hole. A pair of tweezers works well as a planting instrument.
- Anacharis : Fine and feathery, it makes a great place for small fry fish to hide.
- Ambulia : Light green, fan-like leaflets circle around slender stems.
- Bacopa australis : Small round leaves. When planted closely, it looks like a miniature shrub.
FLOATING PLANTS
Floating plants take root in water, but don’t need to be anchored to the gravel. When it comes to how to grow aquarium plants, this type only needs a source of light. The more light, the faster they grow. Beware! These rapidly growing aquarium plants can take over in no time.
- Crystalwort : Bright green and it grows in thick mats similar to moss.
- Hornwort : An oxygenating plant with whirling narrow leaves on bushy stems
- Anacharis : The same plant as the bunch variety, but allowed to float free.
NOTE: The use of native plants in a home water garden or aquarium (referred to as wild harvesting) can be risky, as most natural water features are host to a plethora of parasites. Any plants taken from a natural water source should be quarantined overnight in a strong solution of potassium permanganate to kill any parasites prior to introducing them into your pond. That being said, it is always best to obtain water garden plants from a reputable nursery.
