VerdantAquarium field guide
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A Dutch planted aquarium arranged in clipped streets and terraces of contrasting foliage.
Aquascaping styleCore aquascaping traditions

Core aquascaping traditions

Dutch

Dutch aquascaping treats plants as the entire architecture. Contrasting leaf shapes, heights, textures, and colors are arranged in trimmed streets and terraces, usually with little or no visible rock or wood. Strong horticulture and disciplined spacing create rhythm without relying on hardscape.

Plant streetsTerracesColorNo hardscape

01

The look

A full, meticulously trimmed underwater garden of alternating fine and broad foliage, structured plant streets, layered height, and restrained red focal groups with no visible stone or driftwood.

02

Common hardscape

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

  • Little to no visible hardscape
  • Nutrient-rich substrate
  • Terraced substrate height
  • Defined planting 'streets'

03

Commonly used plants

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

Rotala rotundifoliaRotala rotundifoliaAlternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’Cryptocoryne wendtiiCryptocoryne wendtiiStaurogyne repensStaurogyne repens

Also common: Lobelia cardinalis · Pogostemon species · Limnophila aromatica

From the encyclopedia

Plants for this style

All plants