The Best Plants to Use in My Fish Tank

Underwater Plants

If you own a freshwater tank, there are a few plants that are easy to look after and widely available in the stores. The Downoi, or the Little Star, needs only a minor supplements of iron to thrive in fish tanks. The plant grows well in low light conditions or bright conditions. It is easy to maintain. The plant gets its name because its leaves have a crinkled appearance and are shaped like a star. The plant grows to a height of just 4 inches.

Ferns grow up to 8 inches and have leafy spikes that are dark green in color. They are popular choices for beginners because no soil is needed. The plants conveniently attach themselves to any underwater surface that is rough. The plant requires only moderate light to thrive. The spikelike leaves give smaller fish a place to hide in the fish tank and also attract bacteria which feeds the fish. Another fern, the Water Clover, also requires very little maintenance and is shaped like the four leaf clover. The plant grows to just about 4 inches and thrives well in low to medium light.

A Dwarf Sag is a freshwater plant that produces flowers that are very tiny. The stem of the plant grows up to the water surface where it produces flowers. This plant can grow to a height of 6 inches and thrive in medium lighting. It grows fast and is a good choice for new aquariums. Floating water moss is another plant that likes to grow up to the water's surface. This plant reproduces quickly and prevents the growth of algae because it spreads across the top of the water and inhibits light from getting down into the tank.

Fish love to dodge and hide around the plants in fish tanks. Plants are also natural habitat which the fish use as sites for spawning. Even in small tank, a balance between fish and plant life will help the fish adapt better to the enclosed environmental system. Plants help consume bacteria which floats in the water, and will also reintroduce oxygen into the tank which further benefits the fish. If you want to improve the quality of water naturally, the best way to do this is by adding plants to the aquarium.