Biology:List of freshwater aquarium plant species

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Bolbitis heudelotii, one of hundreds of aquatic plants found in the hobby

Aquatic plants are used to give the freshwater aquarium a natural appearance, oxygenate the water, absorb ammonia, and provide habitat for fish, especially fry (babies) and for invertebrates. Some aquarium fish and invertebrates also eat live plants. Hobbyists use aquatic plants for aquascaping, of several aesthetic styles.

Aquatic plants have a variety of different growth forms, with most species found either partially or fully submerged in their natural habitat. Although there are a handful of obligate aquatic plants that must be grown entirely underwater, most can grow fully emersed if the soil is moist. Though some are just living at the water margins, still, they can live in the completely submerged habitat.

Freshwater plants can be obtained from a plethora of sources. These range from established nurseries to smaller sellers found on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and EBay. For rarer plants, they may only be obtainable through niche forums or non-traditional sellers (eg: scientific supply companies). Occasionally, new plants may enter the market after being collected from the wild and propagated.

This list includes all plants in a broad sense (Archaeplastida) grown and sold for intentional use in freshwater aquaria. Organisms not included are true plants that are undesirable in aquaria (eg: black beard algae) or other photosynthetic organisms (golden algae, diatoms, cyanobacteria) that have variable desirability but ultimately aren't plants. For those, see freshwater aquarium algae. Many of these species are dangerous invasives and should be disposed of in a way that guarantees that they will not enter local waters.

Complex red algae (Florideophyceae)

Order Ceramiales

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Delesseriaceae Caloglossa Caloglossa beccarii red "moss" (more accurate common name needed) Needs quality image

Complex Chlorophyte green algae (Ulvophyceae)

Order Cladophorales

Family Genus Species Common names Commercial sources Image
Pithophoraceae Aegagropila Aegagropila brownii Marimo [1][2] frameless

Complex Chlorophyte green algae (Charophyceae)

Stoneworts (Order Charales)

Family Genus Species Common names Commercial sources Image

Mosses

Order Dicranales

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Fissidentaceae Fissidens Fissidens fontanus Phoenix moss [3][4][5] frameless

Order Bryales

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Mniaceae Plagiomnium Plagiomnium affine Pearl moss frameless

Order Hypnales

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Amblystegiaceae Drepanocladus Drepanocladus aduncus Stringy moss Needs quality image
Leptodictyum Leptodictyum riparium Kneiff's feathermoss frameless
Fontinalaceae Fontinalis Fontinalis antipyretica Willow moss frameless
Hypnaceae Taxiphyllum Taxiphyllum alternans Taiwan moss Needs quality image
Taxiphyllum barbieri Java moss frameless
Vesicularia Vesicularia dubyana Singapore moss Needs quality image
Vesicularia ferriei Weeping moss Needs quality image
Vesicularia montagnei Christmas moss Needs quality image
Vesicularia reticulata Erect moss Needs quality image

Liverworts

Order Marchantiales

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Monosoleniaceae Monosolenium Monosolenium tenerum Pellia [6] frameless
Ricciaceae Riccia Riccia fluitans Riccia, Crystalwort [7] frameless
Ricciocarpos Ricciocarpos natans Purple-fringed riccia [8] frameless

Lycopods

Quillworts (Order Isoetales)

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Isoetaceae Isoetes Isoetes japonica Japanese quillwort [9] Needs quality image
Isoetes lacustris Octopus plant, octopus quillwort [10][11] frameless
Isoetes velata ? [12][13] Needs quality image

Ferns

Waterferns (Order Salviniales)

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Marsileaceae Marsilea Marsilea angustifolia ? [14][15] Needs quality image
Marsilea crenata Dwarf waterclover [16][17][18][19][20] frameless
Marsilea drummondii Fuzzy waterclover [21][22] frameless
Marsilea hirsuta ? [23][24] frameless
Marsilea mutica Variegated waterclover [25][26] frameless
Marsilea quadrifolia European waterclover [27] frameless
Marsilea schelpeana Cut-leaf waterclover [28] frameless
Pilularia Pilularia globulifera Common pillwort [29][30] frameless
Regnellidium Regnellidium diphyllum Two-leaved waterfern [31] frameless
Salviniaceae Azolla Azolla caroliniana (technically Azolla cristata) Carolina mosquitofern [32][33] frameless
Azolla filiculoides ? [34] frameless
Azolla pinnata Feathered mosquitofern frameless
Azolla rubra Pacific mosquitofern frameless
Salvinia Salvinia auriculata Eared water velvet [35] frameless
Salvinia cucullata Cupped water velvet [36][37] frameless
Salvinia minima Mini water velvet, water spangles [38][39] frameless
Salvinia natans water velvet [40] frameless
Salvinia oblongifolia Giant water velvet [41] frameless

Filmy ferns (Order Hymenophyllales)

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Hymenophyllaceae Crepidomanes Crepidomanes malabaricum ? [42] Needs quality image
Trichomanes Trichomanes javanicum Borneo Fern [43][44] Needs quality image

Common ferns (Order Polypodiales)

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Dryopteridaceae Bolbitis Bolbitis heteroclita El niño fern [45] frameless
Bolbitis heudelotii African water fern [46] frameless
Lomariopsidaceae Lomariopsis Lomariopsis lineata Süsswassertang frameless
Polypodiaceae Leptochilus Leptochilus pteropus Java fern frameless
Pteridaceae Ceratopteris Ceratopteris cornuta ? [47][48] Needs quality image
Ceratopteris pteridoides Floating antler-fern frameless
Ceratopteris thalictroides Water sprite frameless

Angiosperms

Nymphaeales

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Cabombaceae Brasenia Brasenia schreberi Watershield frameless
Cabomba Cabomba aquatica Green cabomba frameless
Cabomba caroliniana Carolina fanwort, Carolina cabomba frameless
Cabomba furcata

(also known as Cabomba piauhyensis

Red cabomba frameless
Cabomba palaeformis Purple-underleaved cabomba frameless
Nymphaeaceae Barclaya Barclaya longifolia ? [49][50] frameless
Barclaya motleyi ? Needs quality image
Nymphaea Nymphaea stellata ? Needs quality image
Nymphaea leibergii ? Needs quality image
Nymphaea thermarum ? frameless
Nymphaea zenkeri ? Needs quality image
Nymphaea lotus ? Needs quality image

Monocots

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image






  • Vallisneria americana (Dwarf vallisneria)
  • Vallisneria asiatica
  • Vallisneria asiatica var. biwaensis (Corkscrew vallisneria)
  • Vallisneria gigantea (Giant vallisneria)
  • Vallisneria neotropicalis
  • Vallisneria rubra
  • Vallisneria spiralis (Straight vallisneria)
  • Vallisneria tortifolia (Twisted vallisneria, dwarf vallisneria)
  • Vallisneria tortissima
  • Veronica americana




Ceratophyllales

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image
Ceratophyllaceae Ceratophyllum Ceratophyllum demersum Rigid coontail frameless
Ceratophyllum submersum Soft coontail, Tropical coontail frameless

Eudicots

Family Genus Species Common name Commercial sources Image


  • Bacopa amplexicaulis
  • Bacopa australis
  • Bacopa caroliniana (lemon bacopa, water hyssop, giant bacopa)
  • Bacopa crenata
  • Bacopa innominata
  • Bacopa lanigera
  • Bacopa madagascarensis
  • Bacopa monnieri (water hyssop, dwarf bacopa, baby tears)
  • Bacopa myriophylloides (Myriophyllum-like Bacopa)
  • Bacopa rotundifolia (Round bacopa)
  • Bacopa salzmannii (Purple Bacopa)
  • Bacopa serpyllifolia


  • Hygrophila angustifolia
  • Hygrophila balsamica
  • Hygrophila corymbosa 'crispa'
  • Hygrophila corymbosa 'glabra' (Broadlead giant stricta)
  • Hygrophila corymbosa 'gracilis'
  • Hygrophila corymbosa 'siamensis'
  • Hygrophila corymbosa 'strigosa'
  • Hygrophila difformis (Water wisteria)
  • Hygrophila difformis 'Triflora' (Pink-leaf Water Wisteria)
  • Hygrophila guianensis
  • Hygrophila lacustris
  • Hygrophila lancea
  • Hygrophila lancea 'Chai'
  • Hygrophila natalis
  • Hygrophila odora
  • Hygrophila ringens
  • Hygrophila polysperma (Dwarf hygrophilia)
  • Hygrophila salicifolia
  • Hygrophila serpyllum
  • Hygrophila stricta (Thai stricta, green stricta)
  • Hygroryza aristata




  • Rotala fimbriata
  • Rotala hippuris Horse-tail Rotala)
  • Rotala indica (Indian rotala)
  • Rotala macrandra (Giant red rotala)
  • Rotala mexicana (Mexican rotala)
  • Rotala myriophyloides (Watermillfoil-like leaf rotala)
  • Rotala xNanjenshan
  • Rotala ramosior (Sunset-purple rotala)
  • Rotala repens (Creeping rotala)
  • Rotala rotundifolia (Dwarf rotala)
  • Rotala serpyllifolia
  • Rotala sahyadrica (Sahyadri rotala)
  • Rotala tulunadensis (Tulunadu rotala)
  • Rotala pusilla
  • Rotala wallichii (Whorly rotala)
  • Rotala verticillaris


By scientific name

The taxonomy of most plant genera is not final. Scientific names listed here may, therefore, contradict other sources. This list is temporary and will be removed upon completion of the charts.

Common aquarium plant species:

  • Aciotis acuminifolia
  • Armoracia aquatica















False aquatics or pseudo-aquarium plants

Several species of terrestrial plants are frequently sold as "aquarium plants". While such plants are beautiful and can survive and even flourish for months under water, they will eventually die and must be removed so their decay does not contaminate the aquarium water. These plants have no necessary biology to live underwater.

Images

Photos

  • Acorus calamus
    Acorus calamus
  • Anubias barteri var. glabra
    Anubias barteri var. glabra
  • Aponogeton distachyos
    Aponogeton distachyos
  • Bacopa monnieri
    Bacopa monnieri
  • Damasonium californicum
    Damasonium californicum
  • Echinodorus cordifolius
    Echinodorus cordifolius
  • Elodea canadensis
    Elodea canadensis
  • Eriocaulon decangulare
    Eriocaulon decangulare
  • Elodea densa
    Elodea densa
  • Nymphaea lotus
    Nymphaea lotus
  • Nymphoides peltata
    Nymphoides peltata
  • Ranunculus aquatilis
    Ranunculus aquatilis
  • Sagittaria sagittifolia
    Sagittaria sagittifolia
  • Sagittaria latifolia
    Sagittaria latifolia
  • Trapa natans
    Trapa natans
  • Utricularia vulgaris (common bladderwort)
    Utricularia vulgaris (common bladderwort)
  • Vallisneria americana
    Vallisneria americana

Illustration

  • Eleocharis dulcis
    Eleocharis dulcis
  • Hippuris vulgaris
    Hippuris vulgaris
  • Hottonia palustris
    Hottonia palustris
  • Isoetes lacustris
    Isoetes lacustris

References

  1. ↑ "Marimo Moss Balls" (in en). https://aquaticarts.com/collections/marimo-moss-balls. 
  2. ↑ "Marimo Moss Ball For Sale (Real Moss Ball Pet) | Moss Amigos" (in en). https://mossamigos.com/. 
  3. ↑ "Fissidens Fontanus" (in en). https://buceplant.com/products/fissidens-fontanus-1. 
  4. ↑ "Fissidens Fontanus / Phoenix Moss | Aquarium Plants Factory®" (in en). https://aquariumplantsfactory.com/products/fissidens-fontanus. 
  5. ↑ "Fissidens Fontanus Live Aquatic Moss Plant" (in en). https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/fissidens-fontanus. 
  6. ↑ "Monosolenium Tenerum | APF Aquarium Plants Factory®" (in en). https://aquariumplantsfactory.com/products/monosolenium-tenerum. 
  7. ↑ "Riccia fluitans" (in en). https://glassboxtropicals.com/riccia-fluitans/. 
  8. ↑ "Purple Fringed Riccia (Ricciocarpos natans) Floating Plant – Grown by Aquatic Arts" (in en). https://aquaticarts.com/products/purple-fringed-riccia-ricciocarpos-natans-grown-by-aquatic-arts. 
  9. ↑ "Isoetes Japonica Live Aquatic Plant" (in en). https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/isoetes-japonica. 
  10. ↑ "Quillwort (Isoetes lacustris)" (in en-US). https://www.aqua-imports.com/product/quillwort/. 
  11. ↑ "Octopus Plant Aquarium Plant Isoetes lacustris for sale | AzGardens" (in en-US). https://azgardens.com/product/octopus-plant-aquarium-plant/. 
  12. ↑ "Isoetes Velata Var. Sicula" (in en). https://buceplant.com/products/isoetes-velata-var-sicula. 
  13. ↑ "Isoetes Velata Var. Sicula" (in en-US). https://www.buyaquariumfish.com/product/isoetes-velata-var-sicula/. 
  14. ↑ "Marsilea Angustifolia Tissue Culture Aquatic Plant" (in en). https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/marsilea-angustifolia-tissue-culture. 
  15. ↑ "Marsilea Angustifolia Aquatic Farmer Tissue Culture" (in en). https://buceplant.com/products/marsilea-angustifolia-tissue-culture. 
  16. ↑ "Marsilea Crenata Tissue Culture Aquatic Plant" (in en). https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/marsilea-crenata. 
  17. ↑ "Dwarf Four Leaf Clover | Easy Carpeting Aquarium Plant" (in en). https://www.h2oplants.com/products/four-leaf-clover-dwarf. 
  18. ↑ "Four Leaf Clover Dwarf" (in en). https://www.modernaquarium.com/four-leaf-clover-dwarf-marsilea-quadrifolia-set-of-2-plants/. 
  19. ↑ "Marsilea Crenata" (in en). https://buceplant.com/products/marsilea-crenata. 
  20. ↑ "Four Leaf Clover Dwarf Marsilea crenata Pot" (in en-US). https://azgardens.com/product/four-leaf-clover-dwarf-marsilea-crenata-pot/. 
  21. ↑ "Marsilea Drummondii - Fuzzy Water Clover (Bare Root)" (in en). https://playitkoi.com/products/marsilla-drummondii-fuzzy-water-clover-bare-root. 
  22. ↑ "Clover (Four-Leaf) or Marsilea drummondii at Azgardens.com" (in en-US). https://azgardens.com/product/clover-four-leaf-marsilea-drummondii-bog-plant/. 
  23. ↑ "Marsilea Hirsuta Tissue Culture Aquatic Plant" (in en). https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/marsilea-hirsuta-tissue-culture. 
  24. ↑ "Marsilea Hirsuta" (in en). https://buceplant.com/products/marsilea-hirsuta. 
  25. ↑ "Marsilea Mutica - Variegated Water Clover (Bare Root)" (in en). https://playitkoi.com/products/marsilea-mutica-variegated-water-clover-bare-root. 
  26. ↑ "Clover (Variegated) or Marsilea mutica at Arizona Aquatic Gardens" (in en-US). https://azgardens.com/product/clover-variegated-marsilea-mutica-bog-plant/. 
  27. ↑ "Four-Leaf Clover Marsilea quadrifolia Freshwater Aquarium Plant" (in en-US). https://azgardens.com/product/four-leaf-clover-marsilea-quadrifolia-regular-potted/. 
  28. ↑ "Marsilea schelpeana - Cut Leaf Clover (Bare Root)" (in en). https://playitkoi.com/products/marsilea-schelpeana-cut-leaf-clover. 
  29. ↑ "Pilularia Globulifera" (in en). https://www.aquariumplantenshop.nl/en/products/pilularia-globulifera. 
  30. ↑ "Pilularia globulifera Pepper grass" (in en-US). https://artisanaquatics.co.uk/shop/pilularia-globulifera-pepper-grass/. 
  31. ↑ "Regnellidium Diphyllum - Two-Leaf Water Clover (Bare Root)" (in en). https://playitkoi.com/products/regnellidium-diphyllum-two-leaf-water-clover-bare-root. 
  32. ↑ "Azolla (Azolla Caroliniana) 4 oz Cup" (in en). https://www.modernaquarium.com/azolla-azolla-caroliniana-portion/. 
  33. ↑ "Azolla Caroliniana" (in en). https://buceplant.com/products/azolla-caroliniana. 
  34. ↑ "Azolla Filiculoides "Fairy Moss" | Live Aquarium Plant" (in en). https://www.cantonaquatics.com/products/azolla-filiculoides-fairy-moss. 
  35. ↑ "Salvinia auriculata (Eared Watermoss)" (in en-GB). https://www.aquaticplants.org/p/salvinia-auriculata-eared-watermoss/. 
  36. ↑ "Salvinia Cucullata" (in en). https://buceplant.com/products/salvinia-cucullata. 
  37. ↑ "Salvinia Cucullata Live Floating Aquatic Plant" (in en). https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/salvinia-cucullata. 
  38. ↑ "Salvinia Minima - Mini Water Velvet (Bare Root)" (in en). https://playitkoi.com/products/salvinia-minima-mini-water-velvet-bare-root. 
  39. ↑ "Water Spangle (Salvinia Minima) - Live Aquatic Plants For Sale at H2O Plants" (in en). https://www.h2oplants.com/products/salvinia. 
  40. ↑ "Salvinia Natans/ Floating Fern" (in en). https://buceplant.com/products/salvinia-natans. 
  41. ↑ "Salvinia oblongifolia (Giant Water Velvet)" (in en). https://playitkoi.com/products/salvinia-bolongifolia-giant-water-velvet. 
  42. ↑ "Crepidomanes Cf. Malabaricum" (in en-US). https://www.naturaqu.com/product/crepidomanes-cf-malabaricum/. 
  43. ↑ "Trichomanes Javanicum" (in en-US). https://borneoaquatic.com/product/trichomanes-javanicum/. 
  44. ↑ "Trichomanes Javanicum Borneo Fern" (in en). https://natureaquariums.com/products/trichomanes-javanicum-borneo-fern. 
  45. ↑ "Bolbitis Heteroclita Difformis" (in en-US). https://www.naturaqu.com/product/bolbitis-heteroclita-difformis/. 
  46. ↑ "Bolbitis Heudelotii" (in en-US). https://www.naturaqu.com/product/bolbitis-heudelotii/. 
  47. ↑ "Ceratopteris CornutaDefault Title" (in en). https://buceplant.com/products/ceratopteris-cornuta. 
  48. ↑ "Ceratopteris Cornuta | Live Water Sprite, Beginner Aquatic Fern Plant" (in en). https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/ceratopteris-cornuta. 
  49. ↑ "Barclaya Longifolia - Aquarium Bulb Plant" (in en). https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/barclaya-logifolia. 
  50. ↑ "Barclaya Longifolia | APF Aquarium Plants Factory®" (in en). https://aquariumplantsfactory.com/products/barclaya-longifolia. 
  51. ↑ "Staurogyne — The Plant List". http://www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Acanthaceae/Staurogyne/. 

See also

  • List of freshwater aquarium fish species



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