Aquarium plants are beautiful additions to any tank. They can help you create a personalized look for your aquarium and provide several health benefits for your fish. Since there is such a wide range of plants to choose from, we created a list of our favorite aquarium plants that produce flowers. You can use these reviews to choose plants that flower either in the water or up over the top of it.
These plants come in various sizes and colors, so you can select the ones that you like the best. You’ll soon have a gorgeous setup for your aquatic friends to enjoy as much as you do.
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The 9 Best Flowering Plants for Aquariums
1. AquaLeaf Aquatics Anubias Barteri Butterfly – Best Overall
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Growth rate: Slow
Max height: 16 inches
Light demands: All lighting conditions
CO2: Optional
Difficulty: Easy
One of the few plants that can grow flowers completely underwater, the AquaLeaf Aquatics Anubias Barteri Butterfly plant is the best overall flowering plant for aquariums. They are perfect for beginners because they are easy to care for and extremely adaptable, requiring hardly any light to grow. If you want your plant to grow bigger, give it more light and some fertilizer. Smaller plants will do fine in low lighting conditions.
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Growth rate: Slow
Max height: 16 inches
Light demands: All lighting conditions
CO2: Optional
Difficulty: Easy
While this is a hardy plant, be sure not to bury the roots, or the plant will die. The roots should be attached to rocks or pieces of wood instead of buried in the substrate. In ideal conditions, anubias will bloom. The plant produces small white flowers underwater or above the waterline.
Pros
Easy care level
Can bloom underwater
Great for beginners
Grows in any light conditions
Cons
Roots should be attached and not buried
Grows slowly
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Growth rate: Fast
Max height: 16 inches
Light demands: Low to moderate
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Easy
Easy care level
Can bloom underwater
Great for beginners
Grows in any light conditions
- Easy care level
- Can bloom underwater
- Great for beginners
- Grows in any light conditions
Roots should be attached and not buried
Grows slowly
- Roots should be attached and not buried
- Grows slowly
Growth rate: Fast
Max height: 16 inches
Light demands: Low to moderate
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Easy
The plant grows quickly, but the flowers may take a while to appear. This is an ideal choice for the background of a tank, and it’s an easy plant to care for. It can be split into two or three pieces and planted in different spots in the substrate to fill out the tank.
These plants have delicate leaves that can easily be damaged by nibbling fish. They do well with gentle tank residents that won’t intentionally damage them.
Pros
Grows fast
Thrives in any light conditions or substrate
Cons
Slow to flower
Delicate leaves can be easily damaged
Grows fast
Thrives in any light conditions or substrate
- Grows fast
- Thrives in any light conditions or substrate
Slow to flower
Delicate leaves can be easily damaged
- Slow to flower
- Delicate leaves can be easily damaged
It covers all you need to know about the ideal tank setup, tank size, substrate, ornaments, plants, and so much more!
3. Greenpro Giant Hygro – Premium Choice
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Growth rate: Fast
Max height: 24 inches
Light demands: Moderate
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Easy
The Greenpro Giant Hygro plants come in bundles of three and can grow as tall as 24 inches! Since they grow so tall, the flowers that they produce may be above the waterline. They can thrive with supplemental CO2 and moderate lighting. If the plants don’t get enough light or CO2, they may wither and turn yellow.
Growth rate: Fast
Max height: 24 inches
Light demands: Moderate
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Easy
Once these plants feel at home in the tank, they will produce velvety light purple flowers. These are good plants for beginners because they are easy to care for and plant. The roots will imbed themselves in the substrate for you. All you have to do is lay the plant on top of it.
Fertilizer is recommended if you want the plant to bloom. If you have fish that like to eat plants, they can damage the Giant Hygro’s leaves quickly and easily. The plant does best with gentle fish.
Pros
Grows quickly
Produces beautiful flowers
Easy to maintain
Fills out the back of the tank
Cons
Needs added CO2 and high lighting levels to thrive
Delicate leaves
- Mainam Madagascar Lace
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Growth rate: Moderate
Max height: 20 inches
Light demands: Moderate to high
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Moderate
The Mainam Madagascar Lace plant has unique leaves that resemble a netting or lace-like structure. The plant requires more care than some others on this list, but it’s a beautiful addition to a tank. With the right care, it will produce light purple flowers above the waterline. For the plant to thrive, it will need to be rooted in a nutrient-dense substrate and receive supplemental CO2 and fertilizer. The plant also needs high levels of light.
Grows quickly
Produces beautiful flowers
Easy to maintain
Fills out the back of the tank
- Grows quickly
- Produces beautiful flowers
- Easy to maintain
- Fills out the back of the tank
Needs added CO2 and high lighting levels to thrive
Delicate leaves
- Needs added CO2 and high lighting levels to thrive
- Delicate leaves
Growth rate: Moderate
Max height: 20 inches
Light demands: Moderate to high
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Moderate
The Madagascar Lace plant will lie dormant in order to survive. The leaves will die and fall off, looking like the plant itself has died. Instead, this plant will start to grow again, needing a higher water temperature to do so. When your plant goes dormant, the water temperate should be increased. Make sure your tank residents will be able to withstand that change.
Pros
Beautiful appearance
Grows tall to fill out the tank
Produces lovely flowers
Cons
Requires supplements and fertilizer
Goes through dormant periods
- TruBlu Supply Green Cabomba
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Growth rate: Fast
Max height: 11 inches
Light demands: Moderate to high
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Moderate
The TruBlu Supply Green Cabomba plant is best for those who have experience with aquatic plants. This can be tricky to grow, but once it does, it will produce beautiful white, yellow, or purple flowers above the waterline.
Beautiful appearance
Grows tall to fill out the tank
Produces lovely flowers
- Beautiful appearance
- Grows tall to fill out the tank
- Produces lovely flowers
Requires supplements and fertilizer
Goes through dormant periods
- Requires supplements and fertilizer
- Goes through dormant periods
Growth rate: Fast
Max height: 11 inches
Light demands: Moderate to high
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Moderate
This plant does not have actual roots. The stem must be planted in the substrate or gravel. Fertilizer and CO2 supplements will help it thrive. If you don’t want to plant the stem in the substrate, you can let it float instead. If planted, it does best in the middle or back of the tank because of its size.
The plant provides fun hiding places for fish, especially fry. The shape of the leaves can give shy fish a nice resting spots.
Pros
Can float instead of being planted
Produces pretty, bright flowers
Gives fish plenty of hiding spots
Cons
Requires high lighting levels
Easily damaged by fish
- Aquarium Plants Discounts Red Tiger Lotus
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Growth rate: Moderate
Max height: 31 inches
Light demands: Moderate to high
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Easy
The Aquarium Plants Discounts Red Tiger Lotus can thrive in low lighting conditions. However, if you want this plant to grow quickly, higher lighting levels are required. The same goes for fertilizer and CO2. The plant can survive without the supplements, but it will appreciate them and grow to be lush and full.
Can float instead of being planted
Produces pretty, bright flowers
Gives fish plenty of hiding spots
- Can float instead of being planted
- Produces pretty, bright flowers
- Gives fish plenty of hiding spots
Requires high lighting levels
Easily damaged by fish
- Requires high lighting levels
- Easily damaged by fish
Growth rate: Moderate
Max height: 31 inches
Light demands: Moderate to high
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Easy
The plant will produce large white flowers that only bloom on the top of the tank. Keeping the plant tidy, especially while it’s blooming, requires regular pruning. This is a low-maintenance plant, but the pads of the plant should be kept out of the water to keep them from wilting and dying.
Pros
Easy to grow
Produces large flowers
Can survive without supplements
Cons
Requires pruning
Pads must be kept above water
- Greenpro Bucephalandra
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Growth rate: Slow
Max height: 4 inches
Light demands: Low
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Easy
The Greenpro Bucephalandra plant will grow flowers below the waterline in ideal conditions. There are many types of bucephalandra with different leaf sizes, shapes, and colors, so you can choose the one that you like the best for your tank.
Easy to grow
Produces large flowers
Can survive without supplements
- Easy to grow
- Produces large flowers
- Can survive without supplements
Requires pruning
Pads must be kept above water
- Requires pruning
- Pads must be kept above water
Growth rate: Slow
Max height: 4 inches
Light demands: Low
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Easy
The more light this plant gets, the faster it grows. However, it can survive in areas with little light and is an easy, low-maintenance option for a flowering aquarium plant.
The Bucephalandra has rhizomes instead of true roots, so you can either anchor the plant in the substrate or attach it to a surface in your tank. It grows better when it’s attached to an object like rocks or driftwood. It may lose all its leaves it experiences a change in its routine, but once the plant adjusts, it will grow again.
Pros
Can grow in less-than-ideal conditions
Durable plant
Can be anchored to hard surfaces
Cons
Grows slowly
May lose leaves due to changes in tank parameters
- TLM Banana Lily
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Growth rate: Moderate
Max height: 18 inches
Light demands: Low to high
CO2: Not required
Difficulty: Easy
The TLM Banana Lily plant is named after the banana-shaped clusters of roots close to the leaves. In ideal conditions, the Banana Lily grows white flowers above the waterline. If dropped into the tank, the plants will eventually root themselves in the substrate. Alternatively, they can be planted if you want them in more precise locations.
Can grow in less-than-ideal conditions
Durable plant
Can be anchored to hard surfaces
- Can grow in less-than-ideal conditions
- Durable plant
- Can be anchored to hard surfaces
Grows slowly
May lose leaves due to changes in tank parameters
- Grows slowly
- May lose leaves due to changes in tank parameters
Growth rate: Moderate
Max height: 18 inches
Light demands: Low to high
CO2: Not required
Difficulty: Easy
The roots should remain out of the substrate so the plant doesn’t suffocate. The plant can grow up to 18 inches tall and form lily pads on the surface of the water. If any of the leaves get damaged over time, they should be pruned. The plant will store more nutrients if all the leaves are healthy and intact.
Pros
Will root itself if desired
Grows tall for tank fullness
Produces beautiful flowers
Cons
Can be suffocated if the roots are buried
Must be pruned to remain strong and healthy
- Greenpro Dwarf Sagittaria Subulata
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Growth rate: Fast
Max height: 12 inches
Light demands: Moderate
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Easy
The Greenpro Dwarf Sagittaria Subulata can grow in various water conditions and will sometimes produce flowers on the water’s surface. It’s a strong oxygenating plant and is a good choice for beginners.
Will root itself if desired
Grows tall for tank fullness
Produces beautiful flowers
- Will root itself if desired
- Grows tall for tank fullness
- Produces beautiful flowers
Can be suffocated if the roots are buried
Must be pruned to remain strong and healthy
- Can be suffocated if the roots are buried
- Must be pruned to remain strong and healthy
Growth rate: Fast
Max height: 12 inches
Light demands: Moderate
CO2: Supplemental
Difficulty: Easy
This plant requires a substrate that contains iron and CO2. It feeds from its roots, so root tab supplements can help the plant thrive. It requires moderate lighting but will grow faster in high lighting levels. If the conditions are right for this plant, you’ll get a beautiful green carpet in your tank due to its fast propagation and small white flowers on the plant for added décor.
Pros
Good for beginners
Grows quickly
Propagates easily
Cons
Needs a nutrient-dense substrate and supplements
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Flowering Plants for Aquariums
Flowering aquarium plants can bloom either above or below the water’s surface, and sometimes both. When choosing the plants for your tank, decide which flowers will appeal to you more.
Good for beginners
Grows quickly
Propagates easily
- Good for beginners
- Grows quickly
- Propagates easily
Needs a nutrient-dense substrate and supplements
- Needs a nutrient-dense substrate and supplements
Flowering Above the Water’s Surface
Many aquatic plants grow flowers that bloom above the surface of the water, with the roots submerged. Water plants can have a better chance of pollinating with their flowers above the water. Since flowers are the plant’s reproductive organs, this makes sense. Colorful, bright petals are designed to attract pollinators in addition to being pleasing to look at.
Flowering Underwater
If the plant that you choose for your aquarium flowers underwater, it’s natural that the flowers won’t be as big or colorful as those that grow above the water. These flowers resemble buds more than lush, full blooms. They can still be beautiful and lovely decorations for your tank.
Helping Your Plants Flower
Some plants grow slowly and rarely produce any flowers, but you can help your plants along and get them to thrive. This will increase your chances of seeing them bloom.
The right conditions will help your plants. Humidity, water temperature, and pH levels all affect your plant’s ability to flower. When you choose the plant that you like, make sure it can grow with in your tank’s parameters. Some fish need to be kept at certain temperatures that may be too hot or too cold for the plants.
Plants need light, but some need more than others. If you choose a low-light plant, you’ll still need a lighting system. An LED system will help your plant get the nutrients that it needs by going through photosynthesis, and a heater may also be necessary. A thermometer can be helpful to have.
Even if you choose plants that don’t require fertilizer or CO2 supplements, some plants can still benefit from their addition to the tank. If you want your plant to grow faster or produce flowers quickly, adding fertilizer to the water and injecting CO2 into the tank can help this happen. Without these supplements, though, many plants can still survive. CO2 will be received by them naturally through the water. However, giving your plants a boost will help them grow faster.
Helpful Tools for Aquarium Maintenance
To help make your aquarium maintenance easier, here are some a few helpful products.
A gravel vacuum will help you keep the substrate clean and prevent rotting food from contaminating the water. This is an easy way to keep the tank clean regularly without a water change.
A good plant fertilizer will go a long way towards helping your plants thrive. Live plants can benefit from the addition of fertilizer, and it’s less messy than nutrient-dense substrate.
A digital thermometer will help you keep your water at the right temperature for all of your tank residents. Fish and plants may need to be kept at different temperatures, but you might be able to find a happy medium. A thermometer is essential to make this task easier.
- A gravel vacuum will help you keep the substrate clean and prevent rotting food from contaminating the water. This is an easy way to keep the tank clean regularly without a water change.
- A good plant fertilizer will go a long way towards helping your plants thrive. Live plants can benefit from the addition of fertilizer, and it’s less messy than nutrient-dense substrate.
- A digital thermometer will help you keep your water at the right temperature for all of your tank residents. Fish and plants may need to be kept at different temperatures, but you might be able to find a happy medium. A thermometer is essential to make this task easier.
Conclusion
Featured Image Credit: Irina Kukuts, Pixabay
