If you are a fish owner or if you’ve recently decided to take up fishkeeping as a hobby, then you’ve probably already purchased your tank, set everything up, and have your little fish swimming around happily.
However, if your tank kind of looks bland to you and you’re wondering how to fix it up, tropical plants look great but are great for your fish too. Of course, there are plenty of decorations for aquariums out there, but live plants have a natural, gorgeous look and make great places for your little fish to hide when they feel the need.
There are so many plants out there for aquariums today that you might be a little overwhelmed when trying to find the right ones for your tank. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ll give you the reviews of our top seven tropical aquarium plant choices plus a buying guide afterward to point you in the right direction.
Ready to get started? Great, then let’s dive in!
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Java Fern Bare Root
Low light plant
Works for any size aquarium
Grows 6 to 8 inches in height
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Best Value
Florida 10 Species Live Aquarium Plants Bundle
Affordable
10 species
Grow 6 to 12 inches in height
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Premium Choice
Greenpro Live Aquarium Plants
Comes on driftwood
Variety of plants
Easy to care for
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Micro Sword Aquarium Live Plant
Don’t need high-intensity lighting
Beginner-friendly
Grow 2 to 3 inches in height
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Red Flame Sword Live Aquarium Plant
Perfect for beginners
Natural hideout for fishes
4 to 6 inches in height
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7 Best Tropical Aquarium Plants
- Java Fern Bare Root – Best Overall
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Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Summer, winter
Light demands: Full shade
Tank Size: Any
Difficulty: Easy
Our best overall tropical aquarium plant is the Java Fern. This is a plant that will work in any size tank and is easy to plant in your aquarium. It blooms in summer and winter and grows to around 6 to 8 inches in height.
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Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Summer, winter
Light demands: Full shade
Tank Size: Any
Difficulty: Easy
If you’re looking for a plant that will provide natural hiding places for your fish, then this is it. We think this is the best overall choice for a low-light plant that requires very little maintenance.
Some users did report that the plants came with bugs or parasites on them, so be careful when you unpack them. Inspect any plant you put in your aquarium ahead of time for the best results.
Pros
Low light plant
Works for any size aquarium
Grows 6 to 8 inches in height
Provides natural hiding spots
Cons
Parasites/bugs on may come on some plants
- Florida 10 Species Live Aquarium Plants Bundle – Best Value
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Material Feature: Natural, organic
Expected Blooming Period: Winter
Light demands: Full shade
Tank Size: 10+ Gallons
Difficulty: Easy
Low light plant
Works for any size aquarium
Grows 6 to 8 inches in height
Provides natural hiding spots
- Low light plant
- Works for any size aquarium
- Grows 6 to 8 inches in height
- Provides natural hiding spots
Parasites/bugs on may come on some plants
- Parasites/bugs on may come on some plants
Material Feature: Natural, organic
Expected Blooming Period: Winter
Light demands: Full shade
Tank Size: 10+ Gallons
Difficulty: Easy
Some users reported finding snails on the plants and that some of the plants they received were plain weeds or slimy. As previously stated, always check the plants before putting them into your aquarium to avoid problems.
Pros
Affordable
10 species
Grow 6 to 12 inches in height
Absorb nitrogenous waste
Cons
Some were plain weeds or slimy
Some users found snails on some plants
Affordable
10 species
Grow 6 to 12 inches in height
Absorb nitrogenous waste
- Affordable
- 10 species
- Grow 6 to 12 inches in height
- Absorb nitrogenous waste
Some were plain weeds or slimy
Some users found snails on some plants
- Some were plain weeds or slimy
- Some users found snails on some plants
It covers all you need to know about the ideal tank setup, tank size, substrate, ornaments, plants, and so much more!
- Greenpro Live Aquarium Plants – Premium Choice
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Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Varies
Light demands: Any
Tank Size: Any
Difficulty: Easy
Our premium choice goes to Greenpro Live Aquarium Plants. Perfect for any tank size, this bundle includes plants like Anubias, Java Fern, and moss that grow to between 6 and 8 inches in height. These plants come attached to a piece of driftwood and are easy to plant. They give the appearance of a rare, exotic plant and will not only give your fish a place to hide but make your aquarium look fantastic as well.
Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Varies
Light demands: Any
Tank Size: Any
Difficulty: Easy
Some users reported there being snails on the plants upon delivery, and one user said that the plants introduced parasites to their aquarium. Therefore, make sure to check any plants so that you know what they have on them before introducing them to your aquarium to be safe.
Pros
Comes on driftwood
Variety of plants
Easy to care for
Grow 6 to 8 inches in height
Cons
Some plants may come with snails
Some introduced parasites to customer’s tanks
- Micro Sword Aquarium Live Plant
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Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Winter
Light demands: Low intensity
Tank Size: Any
Difficulty: Easy
Number four on our list of the best tropical aquarium plants goes to the Micro Sword Aquarium Live plant. This plant doesn’t need to be exposed to high-intensity lighting, blooms in winter, and is perfect for any tank size. They grow anywhere from 2 to 3 inches in height and have a high rate of growth.
Comes on driftwood
Variety of plants
Easy to care for
Grow 6 to 8 inches in height
- Comes on driftwood
- Variety of plants
- Easy to care for
- Grow 6 to 8 inches in height
Some plants may come with snails
Some introduced parasites to customer’s tanks
- Some plants may come with snails
- Some introduced parasites to customer’s tanks
Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Winter
Light demands: Low intensity
Tank Size: Any
Difficulty: Easy
If you’re new to the fishkeeping scene, these are the perfect plants to start with as a beginner, as they are easy to plant and take care of. Your fish will love them, especially if the fish you keep are tiny ones.
Some customers reported the plants arriving dead, so be careful when purchasing.
Pros
Don’t need high-intensity lighting
Beginner-friendly
Grow 2 to 3 inches in height
High rate of growth
Cons
Many plants arrived dead according to some customers
- Red Flame Sword Live Aquarium Plant
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Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Summer, winter
Light demands: Low
Tank Size: Medium to large
Difficulty: Easy
The number five spot on our list goes to the Red Flame Sword Live Aquarium Plant. These work best for medium to large aquariums and provide a natural hideout for fish. They bloom mostly in the summer and winter and will bring a stunning elegance to your tank.
Don’t need high-intensity lighting
Beginner-friendly
Grow 2 to 3 inches in height
High rate of growth
- Don’t need high-intensity lighting
- Beginner-friendly
- Grow 2 to 3 inches in height
- High rate of growth
Many plants arrived dead according to some customers
- Many plants arrived dead according to some customers
Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Summer, winter
Light demands: Low
Tank Size: Medium to large
Difficulty: Easy
These usually grow between 4 and 6 inches in height and are perfect for someone who is just starting on their journey of keeping fish as they are easy to plant and take care of. They also have a gorgeous color that you’ll love. Unfortunately, some users reported that plants arrived dead, and others reported that the plants arrived tiny, weak, and died within days of delivery.
Pros
Perfect for beginners
Natural hideout for fishes
4 to 6 inches in height
Gorgeous color
Cons
Some plants arrived to customers very weak
Some plants were delivered to customers dead
- Anacharis Elodea Densa Tropical Live Aquarium Plants
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Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Summer
Light demands: Low
Tank Size: Any
Difficulty: Easy
Number six on our list goes to the Anacharis Elodea Densa Tropical Live Aquarium Plants. These are excellent plants for tanks that contain baby fish and they require no CO2. The plant comes in its own pot and has five to six stems on each bundle, which also makes it pretty affordable. While not as good as some of the other plants on our list, this one is worth a try for those who are just beginning to raise fish.
Perfect for beginners
Natural hideout for fishes
4 to 6 inches in height
Gorgeous color
- Perfect for beginners
- Natural hideout for fishes
- 4 to 6 inches in height
- Gorgeous color
Some plants arrived to customers very weak
Some plants were delivered to customers dead
- Some plants arrived to customers very weak
- Some plants were delivered to customers dead
Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Summer
Light demands: Low
Tank Size: Any
Difficulty: Easy
Some users reported finding snail eggs, snails themselves, and worms on the plants, so check your pot completely before placing it in your tank. Other users also reported the plants as arriving dead or dying shortly after delivery.
Pros
Excellent for tanks with baby fish
5 to 6 stems per bundle
Requires no CO2
Comes in pots
Cons
Snail eggs, snails, and worms were reported on some plants
Some plants arrived to customers already dead
- Frogbit Live Aquarium Floating Plant
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Material Feature: Natural
Expected Blooming Period: Summer
Light demands: Low
Tank Size: Any
Difficulty: Easy
Last but not least, at number seven on our list is the Frogbit Live Aquarium Floating Plant. This plant floats so it doesn’t take up much room, making it great for all tank sizes. You get 12 plants to a bundle and it doesn’t need a CO2 supplement or any substrate to survive, making it perfect for beginners.
Excellent for tanks with baby fish
5 to 6 stems per bundle
Requires no CO2
Comes in pots
- Excellent for tanks with baby fish
- 5 to 6 stems per bundle
- Requires no CO2
- Comes in pots
Snail eggs, snails, and worms were reported on some plants
Some plants arrived to customers already dead
- Snail eggs, snails, and worms were reported on some plants
- Some plants arrived to customers already dead
Some users reported this plant causing water mites and worm parasites in their tank, so check the bunch you get carefully. Other users reported the plants as being nothing but broken leaves or missing their roots on delivery, so inspect them carefully, as previously stated.
Pros
Doesn’t need a CO2 supplement
12 plants to a bundle
No substrate needed
Cons
Caused water mites for some users
Some customers reported it arrived with broken leaves
Arrived with parasites according to some reviews
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Tropical Aquarium Plants
Those are our seven top choices for the best tropical aquarium plants in 2022. There should be something on this list to ensure you can decorate your aquarium with the best plants around. Now that you know the best, you also need to know how to take care of those plants once you plant them in your tank.
Doesn’t need a CO2 supplement
12 plants to a bundle
No substrate needed
- Doesn’t need a CO2 supplement
- 12 plants to a bundle
- No substrate needed
Caused water mites for some users
Some customers reported it arrived with broken leaves
Arrived with parasites according to some reviews
- Caused water mites for some users
- Some customers reported it arrived with broken leaves
- Arrived with parasites according to some reviews
While most of the plants on our list are simple to take care of, they still need certain things to grow and thrive. You don’t want dead plants floating around in your tank. Not only do they look horrible, but they could make your little fish sick as well. Below, we’ll give you a few tips on how to care for your aquarium plants once you’ve introduced them to the aquarium.
Start with Clean Water
Remember, aquarium plants are still plants and need to be taken care of as such. Before you add the plants to your tank, make sure the water is clean. In fact, it’s best to make sure you clean your tank once every 2 to 3 days for the best results.
Always Clean Off Algae
If you see algae growing on your aquarium plants, then it needs to be cleaned off or the plants may get sick and die. The best way to clean off algae is by removing it by hand. Make sure that your hands are clean before starting to ensure no harmful bacteria are transferred to the plants.
Take a soft brush and clean the plant thoroughly. You can take the plant out of the aquarium to do this. If you find that the plant is suffering from any type of plant disease, do not put it back in your aquarium, as it might infect your other plants and even hurt your fish.
These are just a few tips for taking care of your aquarium plants. Remember, when searching for the right plants, always check the water Ph level the plant needs, the temperature it needs, and whether the plant needs a substrate to survive or not.
These tips and practices can help you find the best aquarium plants that will last you for quite a while to come if you take care of them the way you should.
You may also be interested in: 9 Best Flowering Plants for Aquariums
Final Thoughts
This concludes our reviews and buying guide of the seven best tropical aquarium plants for 2022. Our best overall choice went to the Java Fern Bare Root for needing very low plant light and providing natural hidden areas for fish. Our best aquarium plant for the money is the Florida 10 Species Live Aquarium Plants Bundle for its affordability and variety of 10 species of plants. Finally, our premium choice was Greenpro Live Aquarium Plants for its rare exotic look and growing on driftwood.
We hope this helps you find the right plants for your aquarium in 2022, whether you’re a beginner or a pro.
Sources
It’s A Fish Thing AAFRC Gardening Mentor
Featured Image Credit: Ivy.D Design, Unsplash
- It’s A Fish Thing
- AAFRC
- Gardening Mentor
