VerdantAquarium field guide
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Curated collection · 64 plants

Best plants for beginners

Tolerant, readable plants that forgive a learning curve. Use these profiles as a shortlist, then compare mature size, feeding behavior, and maintenance before planting.

Plants in Best plants for beginners

Editorial underwater photograph of Anubias barteri.Midground

Anubias barteri

Anubias barteri

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Very slow
Light
Low
CO₂
Optional
Rhizome plant15–35 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Anubias nana.Foreground

Anubias nana

Anubias barteri

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Very slow
Light
Low
CO₂
Optional
Rhizome plant5–15 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Java fern.Midground

Java fern

Leptochilus pteropus

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Slow
Light
Low
CO₂
Optional
Rhizome plant15–35 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Vallisneria nana.Background

Vallisneria nana

Vallisneria nana

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Fast
Light
Medium
CO₂
Optional
Runner-forming plant30–60 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Moneywort.Midground

Moneywort

Bacopa monnieri

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Moderate
Light
Medium
CO₂
Optional
Stem plant15–40 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Ludwigia repens.Midground

Ludwigia repens

Ludwigia repens

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Fast
Light
Medium
CO₂
Beneficial
Stem plant20–50 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Water violet.Midground

Water violet

Hottonia palustris

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Moderate
Light
Low
CO₂
Optional
Stem plant10–30 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Anacharis.Background

Anacharis

Egeria densa

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Very fast
Light
Medium
CO₂
Optional
Stem plant30–100 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Hornwort.Background

Hornwort

Ceratophyllum demersum

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Very fast
Light
Medium
CO₂
Optional
Rootless submerged plant30–150 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Water spangles.Floating

Water spangles

Salvinia minima

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Very fast
Light
Medium
CO₂
Optional
Floating plant1–3 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Mosquito fern.Floating

Mosquito fern

Azolla filiculoides

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Moderate
Light
Medium
CO₂
Optional
Floating plant0.5–1 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Onion plant.Background

Onion plant

Crinum thaianum

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Moderate
Light
Low
CO₂
Optional
Bulb plant60–200 cm
Editorial underwater photograph of Banana plant.Foreground

Banana plant

Nymphoides aquatica

Difficulty
Beginner
Growth
Moderate
Light
Medium
CO₂
Optional
Rooted floating-leaved plant10–30 cm