List of freshwater aquarium plant species

Aquatic plants are used to give the freshwater aquarium a natural appearance, oxygenate the water, absorb ammonia, and provide habitat for fish, especially fry (babies) and for invertebrates. Some aquarium fish and invertebrates also eat live plants. Hobbyists use aquatic plants for aquascaping, of several aesthetic styles.

Most of these plant species are found either partially or fully submerged in their natural habitat. Although there are a handful of obligate aquatic plants that must be grown entirely underwater, most can grow fully emersed if the soil is moist. Though some are just living at the water margins, still, they can live in the completely submerged habitat.

By scientific name

The taxonomy of most plant genera is not final. Scientific names listed here may, therefore, contradict other sources. Many of these species are dangerous invasives and should be disposed of in a way that guarantees that they will not enter local waters.

Common aquarium plant species:

False aquatics or pseudo-aquarium plants

Several species of terrestrial plants are frequently sold as "aquarium plants". While such plants are beautiful and can survive and even flourish for months under water, they will eventually die and must be removed so their decay does not contaminate the aquarium water. These plants have no necessary biology to live underwater.

• Aglaonema modestum (Chinese evergreen)
• Aglaonema simplex
• Chlorophytum bichetii (Pongol sword)
• Dracaena sanderiana (Striped dragonplant)
• Hemigraphis colorata (Crimson ivy)
• Ophiopogon japonicus (Fountain plant)
• Pilea cadierei (Aluminum plant)
• Sciadopitys verticillata) (Umbrella pine, koyamaki)
• Spathiphyllum tasson (Brazil sword)
• Syngonium podophyllum (Stardust ivy)
• Trichomanes javanicum

Images

Photos

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  Acorus calamus
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  Anubias barteri var. glabra
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  Aponogeton distachyos
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  Bacopa monnieri
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  Damasonium californicum
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  Echinodorus cordifolius
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  Elodea canadensis
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  Eriocaulon decangulare
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  Elodea densa
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  Nymphaea lotus
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  Nymphoides peltata
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  Ranunculus aquatilis
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  Sagittaria sagittifolia
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  Sagittaria latifolia
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  Trapa natans
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  Utricularia vulgaris (common bladderwort)
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  Vallisneria americana

Illustration

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  Eleocharis dulcis
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  Hippuris vulgaris
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  Hottonia palustris
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  Isoetes lacustris

References

• Hiscock, Peter (2003). Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. United States and Canada: Interpret Publishing. ISBN 0-7641-5521-0.
• text for the Italian ed. by Francesco Bianchini ... et al.; photos. by Giuseppe Mazza; American ed. edited by Michael K. Oliver (1976). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Fishes. New York, New York, United States: Simon & Schuster, Inc. ISBN 0-671-22809-9. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

See also

Aquarium typesAquarium décor
and equipmentFish terms / typesFish foodOther conceptsPeopleMagazinesCompaniesLists