Adding freshwater plants to your aquarium is a great way to personalize your fish tank. It also has several added benefits to the tank environment and is great for fish and other creatures as well.
Arranging your plants can be done in several different ways that suit your own style. With that being said, there are plants that are shorter and some that grow fuller and longer. The shorter plants should be placed in the front of your tank, while larger plants should be in the back.
Keep reading to learn more about which plants should go where in your freshwater-planted aquarium, what they need, and more!
Foreground Plants
Foreground plants are typically plants that are shorter when they are grown but can be fuller. This makes them a great option for plants to put in the front of the tank.
They can all add a bit of personalization and a great hiding place for fish.
The following is a list of plants that stay on the smaller end of the spectrum, along with their requirements…
1. Anubias Nana Petite
This plant is great for beginners because it is very hardy and does well in fluctuations in the environment.
It only grows to about 10 cm tall, which makes it a great option for the forefront of the tank. The leaves are dark green and leathery.
Temperature: 72-82 ℉
pH: 6.0-7.5
2. Bucephalandra
Another great plant for beginner aquarists is the Bucephalandra. They are slow growers, which gives time for ample trimming if needed.
They produce thick, green leathery leaves and are a great hiding place for fish. Three are different varieties as well.
The smallest is around 2-4 inches tall, while the tallest can be up to a meter long.
Temperature: 70-82℉
pH: 6-8
3. Java Moss
Java moss is a popular plant for aquarists because it is fast-growing and can be attached to anything.
As the name suggests, it is a moss and will do well in a variety of conditions. It is excellent for customizing your tank and making it look natural.
Temperature: 70-75℉
pH: 5-8
4. Cryptocorne Plants
Cryptocorne plants are another great plant for the foreground of the tank because they do not get very tall and do well in low-light or in the shade of other plants.
They have wavy, or curled leaves that are dark green and typically grow about 5 cm tall.
Temperature: 70-75℉
pH: 6-7.5
5. Blyxa Japonica
This plant is another great contender for the forefront of a freshwater aquarium. They only grow about 15 cm tall and have dark green wavy leaves. Blyxa japonica also does well in a variety of parameters.
Temperature: 73-79℉
Middleground Plants
It goes without saying that middle-ground plants should be placed in the middle of the tank because they are larger than foreground plants but smaller than background plants.
They make a great hiding place for fish and more.
Below is a list of the best middle-ground plants for planted freshwater tanks…
1. Echinodorus Rose
Like most plants, the echinodorus rose thrives best when they are planted into a nutrient-rich substrate.
This is a popular plant as it is easy to care for and will be a great choice for the middle of the tank. This is also a very hardy plant that will do well in a variety of different parameters.
However, with this plant, a higher light will bring the color of the leaves out more.
Temperature: 72- 82 ℉
pH Levels: 5.0- 5.8
2. Sagittaria Platyphylla (Broadleaf Chilensis)
This slow-growing swamp plant is like grass with wide blades and a vibrant green color. This is an excellent choice for the middle ground in the tank as it will also create a contrast inside the tank.
Temperature: 70-82℉
pH Levels: 6.0 to 7.5
3. Water Sprite
This is a very popular choice and is found commonly in freshwater aquariums. It is also one of the most available plants that can be found in pet stores.
This very versatile plant is great in the middle ground when plants.
With sturdy stems and bountiful leaf blades, this plant is very hardy and will thrive in many different parameters.
Temperature: 70 to 82℉
pH Levels:6.0 to 8.0
4. Vallisneria
A popular choice amongst beginners and veteran hobbyists this plant is great in the middle ground of the tank.
This plant creates attractive vertical accents around the tank with their ribbon like leaves. This plant is also very popular for its ease of care.
Temperature: 68 to 82℉
pH Levels: 6.5 to 8.0
5. Hornwort
Another common choice for middleground plants is hornwort! As it has a unique look as it has horn like needles.
This is a great choice for beginners as this plant is not demanding and is very hardy! This plant is very resilient and will thrive in many different tank parameters.
Temperature: 68 to 79℉
pH Levels: 6.0 to 8.0
Background Plants
Background plants are usually the largest of the aquarium plants and do best in the back of the tank.
If placed in the front, you could not see the rest of the fish or plants in the tank.
Below is a list of the best background plants for freshwater plants tanks…
1. Bacopa Caroliniana
This is one of the oldest plants in the aquarium hobby. It is also very popular as it is very undemanding. This plant is very easy to care for and will adapt well to different environments.
This stem plant can grow rather tall and will make a great addition to a tank as a background plant.
Temperature: 68 to 82℉
pH Levels: 6.0 to 8.0
2. Ludwigia Repens
Also called the creeping primrose-willow, this plant is a very popular choice for background plants!
This stem plant is easy to care for and will provide a highlight attraction to the tank with its vibrant red color on the leaves.
Temperature: 68 to 82℉
pH Levels: 6.0 to 8.0
3. Rotala Indica
This plant is known for its durability in the aquarium setting. It is a great plant for beginners because of this, and it is easy to care for.
As another stem plant, this is an excellent option for the background of an aquarium. With vibrant green shoots with the possibility of red or pink colors on the tips of the leaves.
Temperature: 68 to 82 ℉
pH Levels: 6.0 to 7.5
4. Bacopa Monnieri
Also known as moneywort, this stem plant is eye-catching with its vibrant green color.
It is a popular stem plant that is great as a background plant in an aquarium, providing a unique foliage appeal.
This is an excellent choice for beginners as it is easy to care for.
Temperature: 72 to 82℉
pH Levels: 6.5 to 7.5
5. Amazon Sword
Very popular amongst hobbyists as this is a very hardy plant that can live in a very wide range of water parameters.
Great for beginners, as this plant is easy to care for. Amazon sword is excellent for the background of the tank, as it has a shorter stem and long and broad green leaves shooting out from the stem. This is also a great plant choice for providing shelter for your fish, as they can hide and rest amongst the blades.
This is also a great plant choice for providing shelter for your fish, as they can hide and rest amongst the blades.
