Common freshwater aquarium plants
The chart below details a few common species of freshwater plants that can be found in many aquarium shops.
The pictures are representative of the species, but do not include the many color variations that are available. Your aquarium shop may have many more varieties of plants for a particular species. Look for a color combination that you enjoy and select that variety.
The table identifies the size, age, temp, and pH for each species. Also provided is the reproduction/propagation method and how the plant acquired nutrients.
| Picture | Common Name | Scientific Name | Adult size | Lifespan | Thermal | pH | Reproduction | Light RFequirements | Food Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Java Moss | Taxiphyllum barbieri | 2-4 " | Indefinite | 68-86 F | 5.0 - 8.0 | Fragmentation | Low - moderate | Water nutrients |
 | Anubias | Anubias spp | 6-10 " | 5 yrs | 72-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | Rhizome division | Low - moderate | Water nutrients |
 | Amazon Sword | Echinodorus amazonicus | 12-20 " | 1-5 yrs | 68-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | Adventitious plantlets | moderate - high | Substrate and water nutrients |
 | Java Fern | Microsorum pteropus | 6-12 " | 5 yrs | 68-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | Rhizome division | Low - moderate | Water nutrients |
 | Wendt's Cryptocoryne | Cryptocoryne wendtii | 4-12 " | 5 yrs | 68-82 | 6.0 - 7.5 | Runners | low - moderate | Substrate nutrients |
 | Water sprite | Ceratopteris thalictroides | 6-12 " | 1-3 yrs | 68-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | Adventitious plantlets | moderate - high | Water nutrients |
 | Hornwort | Ceratophyllum demersum | 6-24" | indefinate | 59-86 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | fragmentation | high | Water nutrients |
 | Vallisneria | Vallisneria spp | 6-60" | 5 yrs | 68-82 F | 6.5 - 8.0 | Runners and stolons | moderate - high | Substrate nutrients |
 | Dwarf Sagittaria | Sagittaria subulata | 4-8 " | 5 yrs | 68-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | Runners | moderate - high | Substrate nutrients |
 | Ludwigia Repens | Ludwigia repens | 12-20 " | 1-3 yrs | 68-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | Stem cuttings | moderate - high | water nutrients |
 | Rotala Indica | Rotala Indica | 6-20 " | 1-3 yrs | 68-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | stem cuttings | moderate - high | water nutrients |
 | Moneywort | Bacopa monnieri | 6-12 " | 1-3 yrs | 68-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | stem cuttings | moderate - high | water nutrients |
 | Temple Plant | Hygrophila corymbosa | 12-24 " | 2-4 yrs | 72-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | stem cuttings | moderate - high | water nutrients |
 | Balansae | Cryptocoryne balansae | 12-24 " | 5 yrs | 72-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | runners | moderate - high | substrate nutrients |
 | Water Wisteria | Hygrophila difformis | 6-20 " | 1-3 yrs | 72-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | stem cuttings | moderate - high | water nutrients |
 | Crypt Parva | Cryptocoryne parva | 2-4 " | 5 yrs | 72-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | runner | low - moderate | substrate nutrients |
 | Dwarf Hairgrass | Eleocharis parvula | 2-6 " | 5 yrs | 68-82 F | 6.0 - 7/5 | runner | moderate - high | substrate nutrients |
 | Staurogyne Repens | Staurogyne repens | 2-4 " | 5 yrs | 68-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | runner | moderate - high | water nutrients |
 | Bacopa Caroliniana | Bacopa caroliniana | 10-20 " | 1-2 yrs | 72-82 F | 6.0 - 7.5 | stem cuttings | moderate - high | water nutrients |
 | Red Temple | Alternanthera reineckii | 10-20 " | 1-3 yrs | 72-82 F | 6.0 - 7.0 | stem cuttings | moderate - high | water nutrients |