Easy Live Plants to Put in Betta Tank

Betta splendens love plants in their tank, as they give them a place to explore, hide, and sleep in peace.

And aquarium plants are an excellent way to turn a dull tank into a thriving tropical environment for your betta.

In this guide, we'll discuss the pros and cons of real and fake plants, as well as review my top picks for the best plants for betta fish.

Overview: Top Picks for the Best Plants for Betta Fish

Here is a list of the best live and fake plants for your betta fish we cover in this guide.

Real Plants vs. Fake Plants For Betta Tanks

The first big choice you'll need to make when picking what plants to put in your tank is whether you want real plants or fake plants.

Let's go through the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Fake Plants Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Huge variety to choose from and can achieve many looks and styles
• Don't need to match aquarium water parameters (temp, pH, substrate)
• Fish can't eat them
• Little risk on introducing disease or pests

Cons:

• Won't help keep your aquarium water balanced
• Most look tacky
• Could leak chemicals into your tank
• Don't oxygenate your water
• Don't reduce nitrates
• Don't inhibit algae growth

Synthetic/fake plants are typically made of plastic, but they can also be made of silk or other textiles.

There are a huge variety of synthetic plants to choose from and many options come in bright colors, so they can either mimic real plants in appearance or add a unique aesthetic to your aquarium.

The main advantage to having a plant that is not living is that it requires far less maintenance than a real plant.

Synthetic plants can be placed anywhere in your tank without regard for substrate, temperature, or pH, and they don't need fertilizer.

Another advantage to fake plants is that they can't be eaten by the fish.. This not only prevents them from being destroyed as a real plant might be, but also ensures that they will not end up in your tank's filter and cause clogs.

Finally, synthetic plants are typically less expensive than real plants, especially if you are outfitting a large tank from scratch.

They also come ready to place in the tank and carry very little risk of introducing diseases or parasites.

On the downside, synthetic plants don't provide any of the same biological services as real plants do for your aquarium. They don't take up nitrates or carbon dioxide or produce oxygen, they do nothing to inhibit the growth of algae, and they don't serve as an alternative food source for fish.

It's also important to be careful about the materials synthetic plants are made from, as some plastics can leach chemicals into the water and can harm betta fish.

If you want fake plants, you should buy silk.

Live Plants Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Help balance your aquarium water chemistry
• Help control nitrate levels
• Help control carbon dioxide level in water column
• Inhibit algae growth
• Oxygenate water for your betta fish
• Create realistic environment for your betta fish

Cons:

• Need to be maintained
• Could introduce unwanted pests into your tank (can be prevented with quarantining)

The main advantage to placing real plants in your aquarium is that as living, respiring organisms, they play an important role in balancing the chemistry of your tank's water.

Aquatic plants take up nitrates and carbon dioxide from the water, as well as produce oxygenate the water. Many types of real plants will also inhibit the growth of algae in the tank, which creates a better environment for your betta.

Live plants also change over time, which can be either a positive or a negative depending on your view. On the one hand, this means that the landscape of your tank evolves as time goes by.

However, it also means that you'll need to spend time pruning back your plants so they don't crowd out the fish or get too close to the filter intakes.

Live aquarium plants can spread disease and parasites when they are first introduced into your tank – especially if they came from another tank with a disease outbreak.

But, quarantining new plants will dramatically reduce this risk.

Overall I believe live aquatic plants are better for betta fish.  The pros outweigh the cons.

How To Choose Live Plants For Your Betta Fish Tank

If you'd like to go for live plants, this is what you should consider:

Lighting Requirements

Light is an essential ingredient for live plants, since they require light to convert carbon dioxide to energy through photosynthesis. However, different types of plants require different amounts of light and differing lengths of exposure to light each day.

In the aquarium hobby, we tend to split this into three intensity categories: low, medium, and high.

For example, plants that are native to tropical environments, where it is naturally sunny for about 12 hours each day and the sun is quite intense, typically require a high exposure to light for about 12 hours per day.

On the other hand, plants native to colder waters typically thrive on seasonal variations in the length of light.

Plants which typically grow in coastal environments or rivers, close to the surface of the water, may need light at a high intensity. In this case, you'll want to put your tank near a window or under strong room lights.

Plants that grow in waters under dense forests or in deeper ocean waters will require less light and could be burned by harsh, direct sunlight.

The easiest way to manage your betta fish plants lighting requirements is to use an LED light designed for aquarium plants. These are typically very customizable and you're able to achieve the correct lighting intensity.

Growth Rate

Different aquarium plants grow quicker than others, which can be ideal if you're trying to blanket a new aquarium with lush growth to create a suitable environment for your betta fish.

For example, Hornwort, Wisteria, Amazon Sword, and Amazon Frogbit are all renowned for their extremely quick growth in aquarium conditions.

On the other hand, if you want to spend less time pruning your plants and already have a well-established aquarium, slower growing plants may be a better choice for your tank.

With any type of plant, the trick to maintaining fast growth is to ensure that the lighting and nutrient conditions are optimal for the specific plants in your tank.

Column Feeders vs. Root Feeders

Another important consideration when choosing real aquarium plants is whether they are column feeders or root feeders.

While all plants produce energy through photosynthesis in their leaves, the difference between column and root feeding plants is how they take in nutrients.

Column feeding plants take in nutrients from the tank's water through a set of rhizomes. These plants typically need to sit above the level of the substrate at the bottom of your tank so the rhizomes are not blocked and there is enough flow to keep up a steady supply of nutrients.

Root feeding plants take in nutrients through their roots, from the pool of nutrients available in the interstitial water in the substrate.

These plants typically anchor themselves to the substrate and may limit the types of substrate you can use since their roots need space to grow and expand their reach.

How To Choose Fake Plants For Betta Fish Tank

One thing you do need to watch out for is the material the plant is made from, especially if you have sensitive fish.

Some plastics can leach chemicals into the water that can be toxic to certain types of fish. If this is a concern, plants made from silk or other textiles typically are non-toxic.

Beyond that, consider where you would like the plant to be in your tank.

Some fake plants have suction cups so you can place them on the tank walls, while other plants have anchors at the base that are designed to sit in the substrate at the bottom of your tank.

If you're going the fake plant route, silk plants are best for betta fish.

Best Live Plants for Betta Fish Reviewed

Let's review the best live plants for Betta aquariums.

1. Anacharis (Brazilian Waterweed)

Anacharis is a fast-growing, vine-like plant that is an excellent choice for betta tanks because it filters toxins out of your tank's water. Anacharis also sucks up nitrates, helping to prevent the growth of algae.

The plant grows in moderate light conditions and does not require special substrate as it is a column feeder that can be planted in the substrate or left free floating.

Anacharis tends to grow in dense forests, which can be good for spacious betta tanks but can clog smaller tanks.

Betta fish tend to like these forests because it gives them plenty of space to hide and explore. Note that because of its fast growth, Anacharis can require a significant amount of maintenance.

Shop for Anacharis on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Java Fern (Microsorum Pteropus)

Java fern is a green-leaved column-feeding plant that thrives in tanks with low light levels, making it an ideal choice for rooms tanks in dimly lit rooms.

The plant has long, tendril-like leaves that extend upward into the water column that are ideal for a betta fish to hide in and swim through just as they would in their natural environment.

In addition, Java fern can be either fully or partially submerged and do not require any special substrate or fertilizer.

Sale

Shop for Java Fern on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. Amazon Sword (Echinodorus Bleheri)

Amazon sword has broad upright leaves that offer betta fish plenty of layers to explore and hide out in.

This plant can grow rapidly and reach quite large sizes, so it is typically best for betta tanks larger than 10 gallons in size and requires frequent pruning to keep it in check.

In addition, note that you'll need a gravel substrate with a large grain size for this plant to grow happily as it is a root feeder and extends several inches deep into the substrate.

Finally, Amazon sword requires relatively high levels of light for between 10-12 hours each day.

Shop for Amazon Sword on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4. Java Moss (Vesicularia Dubyana)

Java moss grows along the bottom of your tank, making it a great choice for when you want to cover over your substrate and provide betta fish with a soft resting place.

This plant is a great choice for betta fish in particular because it closely resembles their natural environment and adds layers for them to explore.

Although Java moss grows along the bottom of your tank, it does not have roots and gets its nutrients from the water column. This plant grows at a moderate rate in a range of lighting conditions, making it highly flexible for any betta tank.

Shop for Java Moss on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5. Anubias (Anubias Barteri)

Anubias has thick, lush green leaves that provide plenty of cover for betta fish while also being non-toxic if you betta decides to nibble on the leaves.

This plant does best in low light levels, so it is perfect for a tank that is in the interior of your house rather than near a window.

While Anubias does require some trimming, it grows at a slow to moderate pace. In addition, it does not require a specialized substrate as it gets its nutrients from the water.

Shop for Anubias on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-02 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

6. Hornwort (Ceratophylum Demersum)

Hornwort is a great choice for a betta aquarium if you don't mind frequent pruning. This column feeding plant grows extremely quickly and offers betta fish plenty of small bristles and layered stems to explore.

Just be careful to prevent the bristles from getting into your filter system as they can cause clogs.

Importantly, hornwort is also quite effective at removing toxins from the water column and can grow in tanks with either low or medium light. An advantage for landscaping your tank is that hornwort can be either planted in the substrate or left free floating.

Shop for Hornwort on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

7. Wisteria (Hygrophila Difformis)

Wisteria is a large plant that offers betta fish not only oxygen, but also broad leaves that offer a place to explore and rest.

The plant can grow up to 20 inches tall and 10 inches wide, so it is recommended for tanks greater than 10 gallons in volume. However, if grown in low-light conditions, wisteria will typically grow quite slowly and will not reach its maximum size.

Another thing to note is that wisteria is a root feeder, so you need to grow it in substrate with a large grain size or add fertilizer tablets if you grow it in sand.

Shop for Wisteria on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

8. Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium Laeviatum)

Amazon frogbit can be a tricky plant to care for since this column feeder floats at the top of the tank and getting the top of the plant wet will cause it to rot.

So, you need to be careful to avoid splashing when changing your water or filter. In addition, frogbit typically requires high light and does best with a dedicated aquarium light rather than just sunlight.

That said, frogbit is excellent for betta fish because it gives them cover and a place to explore, as well as helps reduce the growth of algae.

Frogbit can grow quickly at first up to its maximum size of 20 inches, so it is ideal for 10-gallon or larger tanks.

Shop for Amazon Frogbit on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

9. Hygrophila (Hygrophila Corymbosa)

Hygrophila is a massive plant that can grow rapidly up to 28 inches tall, so it is recommended for betta fish tanks that are at least 20 gallons in size and preferably larger.

If you have the space, though, this plant offers betta fish plenty of broad leaves to explore and rest on.

A major advantage to hygrophila is that it is extremely easy to maintain and very difficult to kill. It will grow in low light conditions, although it favors more regular medium-intensity light.

It is a root feeder, so you will need a substrate that can provide roots space to grow while offering a solid anchor.

Shop for Hygrophila on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

10. Marimo Moss Balls (Aegagropila linnaei)

Marimo moss balls are actually algae rather than a true plant, but they are one of the simplest real plants you can install in a betta fish tank. While they grow fast at first, they stop growing after reaching their maximum size and do not require pruning.

These spherical algae provide all the benefits of plants, but as column feeders they do not require any specific substrate and instead simply sit on the bottom of your tank. Note, however, that marimo balls need a medium to high light exposure for extended periods each day.

11. Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides)

Water sprite is an excellent plant for betta, because it can provide thick vegetation for your betta to explore and build bubble nests.

The plant itself can be free floating or can be planted in your substrate, so it's  versatile for different looks.

Water sprite is known for being a fast-growing species of aquatic plant, so if you find it starts to out-compete your other plants for nutrients, you may need to use some liquid fertilizer and trim regularly.

Shop for Water Sprite on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-02 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

12. Betta Bulb (Aponogeton sp.)

Betta bulbs (actually Aponogenton), are gorgeous and really help provide a natural environment for your betta fish. Growing lily pads up to the surface of your tank, betta bulbs form a lush network of stems for your betta to swim and play in.

A very popular plant for betta fish, if you're up to the task of maintaining.

Aponogeton bulbs can grow up to 40 (up to 12 inches in length and 20 inches wide). So either you'll need a large space or be able to maintain and regularly prune.

If you can control the growth of a betta bulb, they're easy to care for and create a natural environment for your betta.

Shop for Aponogeton on Amazon

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best Fake Plants for Betta Fish Reviewed

Now let's go through your options for fake plants.

13. ZAZALUM Artificial Aquarium Plastic Plants

This synthetic plant from ZAZALUM is constructed from silk to ensure that it is non-toxic to betta fish. The broad leaves provide plenty of layers for betta fish to explore as well as sleep on, while the sturdy base can be easily anchored in any aquarium substrate.

No products found.

14. QUMY Artificial Aquarium Plants

This plastic plant from QUMY is designed to be non-toxic to betta fish while adding an aesthetic spark to your aquarium's landscape.

The red leaves are pretty to look at while the stems provide a layered environment for betta fish to feel safe in and explore. The base sits on top of your substrate and is heavy enough that a moderate current won't knock the plant over.

Sale

QUMY Large Aquarium Plants Artificial Plastic Fish Tank Plants Decoration Ornament for All Fish (A-Pink)

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

15. MaxFox Fish Tank Plants Floating Hammock Bed

This single leaf from MaxFox is designed to suction-cup to the side of your betta tank to provide a broad and sturdy area for your fish to rest on.

The leaf is inexpensive, can be placed nearly anywhere along your tank's walls, and won't attract attention away from the rest of your tank's aesthetic.

Bluetooth Headset,Wireless HeadsettSUPER1-30595

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

16. Blue Spotted Betta Plant Red Anubia Leaf

This plastic plant from Blue Spotted offers an aesthetically pleasing set of leaves for your betta fish to hide in and explore, as well as enough area for your betta to rest on top of.

The plastic roots add to the realistic appearance of the plant, while the weighted rock base prevents the plant from being tipped over by currents in your tank.

Blue Spotted Betta Plant Red Anubias Leaf, Great for Betta Fish

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

17. CNZ Aquarium Fish Tank Lifelike Underwater Plant

This broad-leafed plastic plant from CNZ Aquarium is designed to offer your betta fish a range of leaf types to explore and plenty of space to hide.

The broad leaves are sturdy enough that your betta can rest on top of them, while plastic roots add to the aesthetic of the plant.

CNZ® Aquarium Fish Tank Green Lifelike Underwater Plastic Plant Aquatic Water Grass Decor (Small, 10-inch)

Last update on 2022-09-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Quarantining New Plants For Betta Fish

Quarantining any new live plants before you introduce them to your main aquarium tank is important to prevent the introduction of diseases, parasites, or other intruders.

This small step can save you a lot of time and money later.

The easiest way to quarantine new plants is to first rinse them in a salt bath to kill off any snail eggs. Soak the plant in a solution of one tablespoon of salt to one gallon of water for 10 minutes, then rinse the plant off in water.

Next, dip the plants in a solution of two milliliters of hydrogen peroxide to one gallon of water for 10 minutes. This will kill most algae and parasites.

However, be careful not to exceed the proportion of hydrogen peroxide as this can kill your plants – for sensitive plants, you may want to reduce the proportion of hydrogen peroxide even further.

Rinse your plants off in fresh water, and then they should be ready to place in your aquarium.

Which Plant is Best For Your Betta Fish?

Adding plants to your aquarium can improve the aesthetic of your tank and give your betta fish places to hide and explore.

Real plants offer biological services like producing oxygen and taking up nitrates, but they also require more work in the form of quarantining and pruning.

Fake plants are a simple alternative that allow you to mix and match plants to achieve a desired aesthetic, but they won't help with keeping the nutrients in your tank balanced.

corythishatthe.blogspot.com

Source: https://modestfish.com/best-betta-plants/

Share this post