Best Plants For a Low Tech Planted Tank - Easy Care Plant Guide 2023

Planted aquariums are very popular. Low tech planted tanks use low power lighting and have no CO2 injection. Low tech planted tanks are beginner friendly and are generally easier to maintain than a high tech planted tank. Certain hardy plants which are easy to care for can work well in low tech planted tanks. In this article I will discuss some easy care plant options.

Anubias – This is an epiphyte plants with tough round leaves. Epiphyte plants need to be wedged in between rock and wood rather than planted into the gravel. Anubias is very slow growing, eventually the roots will take hold of surfaces. You may find you Anubias flowers in good conditions. Anubias does well in low to medium lighting.

Microsorum – Microsorum is another tough epiphyte plant. Microsorum species have slender leaves, this plant will produce new plantlets along the underside of its mature leaves. Microsorum is best placed between rock and wood rather than planted in the gravel. This is a very slow growing plant which does well in most lighting conditions.

Cryptocoryne – Cryptocorynes are a hardy plant that do well in low light conditions. These must be planted in the substrate and will appreciate a nutrient rich substrate or root tabs. Cryptocoryne species have slender leaves and are slow growing but after 6 months the mature plants look fantastic. Crypts (as they are also known by) are great as a foreground or midground plant option when aquascaping. There are a variety of Cryptocoryne species, some stay small and some grow over foot tall.

Floating Plants – Floating plants are great for low tech planted tanks and do well in most lighting conditions. Species like Amazon Frogbit, Duckweed and Water Lettuce look fantastic and add another element of intrigue to your aquarium as these plants can be enjoyed from above. Floating plants are great for reducing the light entering your tank and the roots can provide an interesting habitat for your fish. Floating plants multiply quickly and are great for keeping your nitrates low. I like to always add floating plants when I first setup a planted tank as it keeps the water quality in check during the unstable first few months of an aquarium’s lifecycle. There is a common myth that once you add Duckweed you will never get rid of it, this is false! I have completely removed Duckweed from my aquariums on multiple occasions, but it does take a bit of time and patience.

Moss – There are a few varieties of moss which work well in low tech planted tanks. Java moss is the most popular but spiky moss is also a good option. Moss is crucial when keeping shrimp and fish fry in my opinion, the moss gives them a chance to hide. From my experience moss does best in more mature setups, it generally does not grow much when placed in a newly setup aquascape but will start to take off after a few months. When adding moss to the aquarium in can be tied onto driftwood or superglued in place, superglue can leave a white residue behind so keep that in mind. I wanted to also give an honourable mention to Marimo Moss Balls. These odd looking green balls may seem artificial when you first see them, but they are a naturally occurring phenomenon originating from coldwater lakes in Northern Europe and Japan. They are slow growing and can be placed anywhere within the aquarium. Moss does well in most lighting conditions.

Vallisneria – This is my favourite plant species of all time; its simple, hardy and looks striking when allowed to fully grow in. Vallisneria has long straight leaves which move in the current. Vallisneria must be planted into the substrate, it produces new plants by sending of runners along the substrate. One plant can quickly start to fill an aquarium within a few months. This plant is cheap and very easy to come by. There are different varieties available of Vallisneria, the three most common varieties are a giant version, a standard version and a spiral version. From my experience the standard version is the fastest growing variety. The standard variety can reach over 60cm long so it will require trimming every now and then. If you are planning on getting the giant version keep in mind it works best in large aquariums as the leaves can grow up to 2m long. Vallisneria does best in medium to high lighting.

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By Alasdair McPhail