A planted tank that is simple to maintain and doesn’t require a ton of effort is something that many of us desire. Low light aquarium plants are exactly the best choice without buying a pricey LED aquarium light and installing it. This is the focus of the blog today. The low light aquarium plants are many and varied, allowing you to find a low light aquarium plant that suits your landscaping ideas most.
What Are Low Light Aquarium Plants?
These plants, as their name implies, can thrive even in the absence of much light, so they won’t need a sophisticated lighting setup to flourish. Many of them won’t require additional CO2, which will also save you money in the long term.
The 7 Best Low Light Aquarium Plants
The best low light aquarium plants available right now are mentioned below. They are picked due to their high caliber, attractive appearance, and ability to survive in low light. We truly hope that this information will allow you to choose aquarium landscaping wisely.
Java Ferns
Java Fern is a popular choice among both novices and experienced aquarium enthusiasts alike. These low light plants give aquarium owners flexibility, fantastic aesthetic appeal, and simple upkeep. Java Fern is a very resilient plant that requires little care and can adapt to a range of settings. Consequently, you won’t have the hassle of setting up your tank and settling your plant. Additionally, they have less stringent temperature and light requirements than other plants. You can use this plant in almost any tank arrangement with any species of fish. Although they are slow growers, their long leaves and sturdy structure create a naturalistic environment for fish.
Java Ferns are cost-effective as they do not require substrate or fertilizer for growth. You just need to glue the plant to the rocks. If the substrate is used, ensure the roots are not covered which could thwart the growth of your plant, or even trigger death. You can add some fertilizer to your tank if you want a larger plant. Its nutrient requirements are slim for the plant is a slow grower. Overall, Java Ferns are an easy-to-maintain, visually appealing, and cost-effective addition to any aquarium setup.
Java Moss
Java Moss is a tough aquatic moss that can be affixed to wood and rocks both below and above water. Its addition can enhance the natural appearance of any aquarium. Similar to Java Fern, it is low maintenance and adaptable to varying climates and conditions. But Java Moss offers additional advantages to your tank’s ecosystem. It promotes fish health by ensuring adequate oxygen levels and provides ideal hiding spots for shrimp and fish fry due to its abundant, fine-leaved fronds containing edible biofilm. The extensive coverage of Java Moss also serves as an effective filtration system. Thus, it is widely used not only as an aquarium plant but also in paludariums and terrariums.
Java Moss is ideal for creating diverse aquascapes. They can be used to make moss balls and moss trees. Although adding carbon dioxide or fertilizer can accelerate growth, it is not necessary as it grows well without them. To optimize the growth of Java Moss, it is advisable to maintain a humid environment by using a tight-fitting lid.
Anubias Barteri
Anubias Barteri is a highly favored and robust freshwater aquarium plant that thrives in various tank environments. Its leaves are thick and heavily rippled in appearance. Initially, the plant has reddish-brown leaves which turn green as it matures. Anubias barteri plants are also capable of flowering, especially when emerged, but can still flower when submerged. This plant is ideal for fish that feed on plants because many fish tend to leave it alone due to its unpleasant taste.
Anubias is a midwater plant that requires root feeding, so it is important to have a substrate that accommodates its root system. It is a moderate grower and can even flourish in low light situations. When placing Anubias, we can put it in either gravel or driftwood. However, it is crucial to avoid covering the plant’s roots completely as this can impede its growth and lead to plant death. Instead, it is highly recommended to attach it to a rock or driftwood, leaving the roots exposed.
Marimo Moss Balls
Marimo Moss Balls are a convenient and effortless foreground plant that can be grown in any aquarium. These slow-growing plants are perfect for people who want the benefits of a low-maintenance plant without the work. They can be kept in any tank, from large planted displays to small fish bowls, and they will flourish in any environment. Compared with other low light plants, Marimo moss balls require no trim or maintenance since they will maintain the same size all the time.
Marimo moss balls are not technically plants, but rather a form of green algae that forms into a ball shape and can help filter your tank. They are perfect for small aquatic creatures like shrimp and smaller activity fish such as Bettas due to their compact size. Care for Marimo balls is easy. The amount of light should be relatively low. The Mossballs can be placed in a moderate amount of light, but you shouldn’t expose them to strong light, particularly direct sunlight. They might wither in this way. Occasional cleaning is necessary to keep Marimo Moss Balls healthy. This can be achieved by simply rinsing and gently squeezing them out. During water changes, it’s important to turn the balls to maintain their round shape.
Amazon sword
The Amazon Sword plant is a great choice if you want a large plant that can fill in the background of your tank from the start. With a height of over 20 inches (50 cm) and leaves that come in various shapes and sizes, like the popular Echinodorus amazonicus and Echinodorus bleheri, this plant is hardy and can thrive in a variety of conditions. It is also relatively cheap. However, the Amazon Sword plant has a large and powerful root system that can grow deep into the substrate. Therefore, it requires a deep and solid substrate. An aquarium with a minimum height of 16 inches would be ideal. This plant grows to a dark green color, but if the leaves start to brown, it is a sign of low nutrients.
It is well known that they depend heavily on the substrate’s nutrients for their growth and success. Beginner enthusiasts who are interested in planted aquariums may be intimidated by this, but it’s actually pretty simple to give the plant what it needs by adding a few root tabs to the substrate. This plant is easy to reproduce and can grow well in low light. However, it will thrive with 10-12 hours of medium to high light, which can lead to algae growth if not monitored.
Cryptocoryne Lucens
Cryptocoryne Lucens is an excellent choice for aquarium enthusiasts seeking an undemanding plant species that will grow to about 3 to 5 inches in height. It can be used as a midground or background plant, but can also be utilized as a foreground plant in larger aquariums. Due to its slow growth rate and low light demand, it is often recommended to beginners as it is easy to care for. However, there are a couple of things to bear in mind when caring for Cryptocoryne Lucens.
Firstly, it prefers not to move around. Plan to leave it alone after planting. Secondly, it is important to avoid exposing the plant to intense light as it does not tolerate high light conditions. Thus, it is best to keep it shaded or in low light. Thirdly, it is crucial to plant the Crypt firmly in the substrate, which should ideally be sand or gravel. If you want faster growth, you can implement fertilizers in the substrate, but it can still grow without added nutrients. Lastly, before adding the plant to the aquarium, it is advisable to wash it off to prevent the introduction of diseases to the tank.
One common issue with Cryptocoryne Lucens is “crypt melt“, that is, the plant seems to die within several days when being introduced to the aquarium. However, resist the urge to pull out the whole plant, as it is simply shedding its old leaves and replacing them with ones suitable for living submerged. Once it settles, it will start to grow in little to no time. Additionally, this plant comes in various colors and looks, making it a versatile choice for aquarium decoration.
Vallisneria
It is also easy to plant and grow Vallisneria, which is similar to Cryptocoryne lutea. Due to its rapid rate of reproduction, it will require proper pruning and upkeep to be kept under control. It serves as a booster to breed fish. Baby fish can survive because of the thick carpet of plants. The maintenance is very low, pruning is necessary when the Vallisneria grows to the point that it shades out younger plants. There are many different kinds of Vallisneria, but because it is so simple to cultivate, it is advised to start with the standard variety before branching out. Poor lighting can actually slow the rate of growth, which can reduce the amount of maintenance needed.
