A List of Aquarium Plants

Sword Plants

• Sword plants are freshwater plants known for the long, slender, flat leaves permeating from a single bud. Variations of this plant type include the Amazon sword, which grows up to two feet tall and has rounder leaves and the Brazilian sword, considerably smaller and suitable for Betta and goldfish bowls. Other sword plants include the tiny Micro sword, Radican sword and Oriental sword.

Anubias

• Anubias plants have a similar physical appearance to the sword plants with the exception of having much wider, rounder leaves. These freshwater plants typically grow a little over one foot tall. Plants of this variety include the Anubias barteri, Anubias coffeefolia and Anubias nana.

Anacharis

• Anacharis is a very hardy freshwater plant suitable for novice aquarium plant keepers because of its high tolerance to a variety of water conditions. Anacharis are tall, usually around two feet in height, bushy and dark green. Anacharis root into gravel or sand but will also float if loosened. The plants may be eaten by fish or turtles in your aquarium.

Banana Plants

• The freshwater banana plant name is derived from its banana-like appearance. The light green plant, which only grows to around six inches tall, looks like a ball of tiny bananas. These plants are capable of thriving in moderate temperatures from 65 degrees Fahrenheit all the way up to the mid 80s.

Lilies

• Lilies are floating plants that look like discs floating atop your aquarium water. These are suitable for terrariums and ponds, and provide shade, shelter and a possible sitting spot for amphibians such as frogs. There are numerous types of water lilies available, including red and blue lilies, small flower lilies and Rubra water lilies.

Grasses

• Grasses are meant to carpet the bottom of aquariums and are collectively referred to in the aquarium trade as "val." Val comes in several forms, with most plants having long, thin leaves emulating blades of grass. Tape grass and Jungle val are both commonly used aquarium grasses.