How to Use Live Plants in Your Aquarium Setup

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Learning how to use live plants in an aquarium comes down to matching each plant type to the right planting method: bury roots but not crowns, never bury rhizomes, tie or glue moss to hardscape, and let floating plants sit on the surface. Add the right food, either liquid fertilizer or root tabs, and the tank mostly looks after itself. This guide walks through each type, then looks at four products from the listings that help hold plants in place or give them somewhere to grow.

Quick answer

Rhizome plants (anubias, java fern): attach to rock or wood; do not bury the rhizome.
Swords and crypts: bury the roots, keep the crown above the substrate, and add root tabs.
Moss: tie or glue it to hardscape instead of burying it.
Floating plants: place them on the surface and do not cover the whole surface.

Prepare plants before they go in

Aquarium Co-Op’s planting guide says to remove the plastic pot and rock wool from most plants, pull out the small yellow fertilizer balls so they do not spike nutrients, and rinse off debris. The exceptions are carpeting plants, where you keep the rock wool plug. Spend a minute on this step: it is the easiest way to avoid a nutrient surge in a new tank.

Rhizome plants: attach, do not bury

Anubias, java fern and bolbitis grow from a thick stem called a rhizome. The guide is clear that you should not bury it. Attach the plant to a rock or driftwood with super glue gel or thread, and feed it with liquid fertilizer, since these plants take nutrients mainly from the water. If you hold a plant in a small cup, our related reading on bettas and live plants covers which kinds suit a betta tank.

Sword plants and crypts: bury roots, keep the crown clear

Swords grow tall, so plant them in the midground or background. Bury the roots but keep the crown above the substrate; the guide says not to cover the crown. Crypts follow the same rule and often melt after planting, so do not throw them out if the leaves fall off. Both feed through their roots, so use root tabs, especially in inert substrate. A sandy bottom limits what grows well; see aquarium plants that do well in sand.

Grass-like and stem plants

For vallisneria, dwarf sagittaria and similar plants, separate the plantlets and plant them with some space between them. Stem plants such as bacopa, pogostemon and pearl weed go in one stem at a time, planted 2 to 3 inches deep, with plant weights if needed. Stems without roots can float until they develop roots. These plants take nutrients mainly from the water, so liquid fertilizer is the usual choice.

Moss: tie it down

Mosses are tied or glued to hardscape rather than buried, according to the same guide. Free-floating moss also works. If you want moss on a ledge, that is the purpose of one of the listings below.

Floating plants

Frogbit, dwarf water lettuce, duckweed and water sprite sit on the surface. They need strong light and liquid fertilizer, and the guide advises reducing the current and using fishing line or airline tubing to keep them in one area. It also warns not to cover the entire surface, or fish may run short of oxygen and lower plants may lack light. That matters for bettas, which breathe air at the surface and need a clear patch of open water.

Feeding live plants

The guide sorts feeding by type. Rhizome, stem and floating plants absorb nutrients mainly from the water column, so use liquid fertilizer. Swords, crypts, bulbs and carpeting plants feed through their roots, so add root tabs when you use inert substrate or when a nutrient-rich substrate has run down. Bulb and carpeting plants use both. Wikipedia’s article on aquatic plants adds a general point about why this works: plants take up dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus, and compete with algae for those nutrients, which can limit algal growth.

Four listed helpers for planting

None of these listings states which plants it suits beyond what is quoted below. Use them as tools, not as a guarantee of plant growth.

zcyslper 2 PCS Aquarium Plant Holder, Top Hanging

This set of two hanging holders hooks over the top of the tank. The listing says each pot measures 3.15 x 3.15 x 2.25 inches, is made of transparent ABS, and has holes in the base and edges so water can circulate around the plants. It fits glass up to 0.8 inches thick and uses a hook and an adjustable screw. The listing names trailing vines, frogbit, ribbon plants, aquatic ferns, water lilies and floating greens, and the title mentions java moss, Monte Carlo, frogbit and duckweed. A hanging pot is a way to grow plants that are happier near the surface without disturbing the substrate. View on Amazon

Aqueon Plant and Shrimp Aquarium Substrate, 5 lb

A 5-pound bag of clay-based aqua soil. The listing says it is made from clay-based material, is spherical by design so it keeps its shape over time, and is a good option for freshwater plants, shrimp, snails and tropical fish. This kind of substrate is aimed at rooted plants such as swords and crypts, which feed through their roots. Rinse and plant per the directions on the package. View on Amazon

Moss Ledge for Aquarium, Small and Large Bundle

A clear ledge that attaches with a suction cup. The listing says it gives live moss a surface to attach to and spread across, and the title describes it as an aquascape piece for bettas, shrimp and frogs. The bundle includes small and large ledges and weighs 1.92 ounces. It is a ready-made moss platform for owners who do not want to glue moss to rock. View on Amazon

Hubaltuye 4 Pcs Silk Plants for Fish Tank (non-live alternative)

This one is not a live plant. The listing describes four silk plants with weighted bases, sized 3.2 x 3.2 x 0.5 inches, and says they need no trimming or lighting. It is here as an alternative if a tank has too little light for live plants, or as a way to add cover while live plants grow in. View on Amazon

Common mistakes

Burying the rhizome of anubias or java fern.
Covering the crown of a sword or crypt with substrate.
Leaving the yellow fertilizer balls or rock wool on plants that do not need them.
Covering the whole surface with floating plants.
Giving root feeders only liquid fertilizer, or water feeders only root tabs.

FAQ

Should I bury the roots of every plant?

No. Swords, crypts and grass-like plants have their roots buried. Rhizome plants and mosses are attached to hardscape instead.

Why are my new crypt leaves melting?

Aquarium Co-Op notes that crypts often melt after planting, and that you should not discard them if the leaves fall off.

Do live plants need fertilizer?

The guide recommends liquid fertilizer for rhizome, stem and floating plants, and root tabs for root feeders such as swords, crypts, bulbs and carpeting plants.

Can floating plants cover the whole surface?

No. The guide warns that covering the entire surface can leave fish short of oxygen and lower plants short of light.

How deep should stem plants go?

The guide gives 2 to 3 inches, planted one stem at a time, with weights if the stems float.

Bottom line

Sort your plants into water feeders and root feeders first. Attach the first group to hardscape or float them; plant the second group with the crown clear and a root tab nearby. Everything else is detail.