VerdantAquarium field guide
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A Brazilian-style aquascape with dramatic stone ridges, clipped planting, red accents, and a bright sand corridor.
Aquascaping styleCore aquascaping traditions

Core aquascaping traditions

Brazilian

Brazilian aquascaping combines the depth tricks of a diorama with the lush horticultural control of Dutch planting. Strong stone ridges, bright sand channels, dense clipped cushions, and selective red foliage produce a bold, competition-ready composition with pronounced foreground-to-background movement.

Bold ridgesSand corridorClippedHigh contrast

01

The look

Two powerful planted stone ridges surround a clean pale sand corridor, with sculpted green cushions, restrained burgundy accents, and clear layered depth.

02

Common hardscape

The materials that give this style its structure and sense of place.

  • Powerful stone ridges
  • Bright sand corridor
  • Aquasoil terraces
  • High foreground-to-background elevation

03

Commonly used plants

Plant choices that suit this style. Follow any linked species into the encyclopedia for full care details.

Staurogyne repensStaurogyne repensMonte CarloMicranthemum umbrosum ‘Monte Carlo’Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’Rotala rotundifoliaRotala rotundifolia

Also common: Rotala 'Bonsai' · Ludwigia species

From the encyclopedia

Plants for this style

All plants