Aquatic plants derive their nourishment from both roots and leaves, with micronutrients like calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) being supplied naturally through tap water – no additional supplements need to be added!
Liquid fertilizers dissolve easily into water, making them ideal for plants that absorb their nutrients through their leaves, such as Java fern or mosses, but are less suitable for heavy root feeders like sword plants or Cryptocorynes.
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Hygrophila
Hygrophila is an easy and quick-growing aquatic plant, ideal for beginners as its care requirements are minimal. Resistant to fish diseases and needing no special equipment to grow, Hygrophila often acts as the background or midground plant in aquariums – full-leaved as well as compact varieties are readily available.
East Indian Hygrophila (EIH) is an aquatic weed listed as federally invasive by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Class II prohibited species, meaning cultivation and sale are unlawful without prior permit. EIH was first introduced into Florida waters from various aquarium dumps where it rapidly outcompetes native plants while creating dense monocultures that disrupt habitat for aquatic fauna.
Hygrophila Corymbosa, commonly referred to as temple plant, can reach 24 inches tall in its natural environment and 15 inches in an aquarium, making it suitable for smaller tanks. Regular trimming and fertilization help ensure this species thrives.
Glossostigma
Glossostigma (Mud Mat), also known as Glossostigma or Mud Rug, makes for a fantastic ground cover plant in any aquarium. Growing into short carpets that provide ample surface area for bottom-dwelling fish to explore while simultaneously providing food sources, this native to New Zealand and Australia plant often found in swamp and marsh environments is often featured as part of Nature, Iwagumi, or Dutch style aquascape designs.
This plant can be challenging to cultivate, requiring high light levels and CO2 injection to keep its size small. Furthermore, it grows slowly; creating an impressive carpet effect in an aquarium may prove challenging.
Glossostigma should be started from a dry starter, meaning the plants should be planted and grown emersed instead of submerged in tank water. This helps avoid rotting while speeding up root establishment. Dry starters are suitable for tanks up to 10 gallons in capacity.
Lilaeopsis
Lilaeopsis carpet plants make an excellent addition to any aquarium, from foreground decor to covering an entire tank floor. Not only can it thrive in aquariums but it can also be planted outdoors ponds and low brackish tanks as a result of being propagated using cuttings or liquid fertilizers; additionally they’re great beginners because they require minimal light intensity – even indirect sunlight works just fine!
Another fantastic feature of this plant is that it makes an excellent food source for shrimp and other bottom feeders, is simple to grow, requires no CO 2 supplementation, yet produces abundant nutrition-rich substrat (many recommend Fluorite as the ideal premium substrate), should be fed periodically with phosphate, potassium and nitrate supplements as well as root tabs which stay near roots while providing constant supplies of essential vitamins and nutrients to growers.
Cryptocoryne Wendtii
Cryptocoryne Wendtii makes an ideal plant for the foreground or midground of any tropical fish tank, from freshwater aquariums to saltwater tanks. It thrives under almost all water parameters ranging from slightly acidic to alkaline conditions; however, high nitrate levels should be managed through regular partial water changes to help lower them.
This popular crypt variety stands out with its distinctive green leaves. It grows between 10-30 cm tall, with rosets between 8-15 cm wide. Perfect for beginners or experienced aquarists.
Cryptocoryne wendtii plants come with colorful leaves in various hues such as pink, red or golden. For optimal growth conditions and CO2 injection, ideal lighting conditions must be provided as well as ample CO2. Cryptocoryne wendtii species work well when housed within community tanks with peaceful fish or inverts who will not tear apart its leaves.
