Plant Database

. This plant database has descriptions, photos and other valuable information about some of the more popular aquarium plants used today. Click pictures to enlarge.
Anubias afzellis \| Anubias barteri \| Anubias congensis Anubias gracillis \| Anubias nana \|Bacopa caroliniana	Ceratopteris thalictroides \| Cryptocoryne wendtii brown \| Cryptocoryne wendtii green Echinodorus grandiflorus \| Echinodorus martii \|Echinodorus osoris rubra	Echinodorus paniculatus \| Echinodorus parviflorus \| Echinodorus schlueteri Echinodorus x rose \| Hemigraphis colorata broad leaf \|Hydrocotyle verticillata
Hygrophila polysperma \| Hygrophilla siamensis \| Lilaeopsis brasiliensis Limnophylla sessiliflora \| Ludwigia species \|Lysimachia numularia	Microsorium pteropus \| Nymphea species \| Ophiopogon japonicus kyoto dwarf	Pruning

Anubias afzellis (family Araceae) is one of the Anubias with spear shaped leaves. One way to tell it apart from the other species is by the dark red petioles it has. Anubias afzellis is also known as Anubias angustifolia. Cutting the rhizome into pieces and planting these can propagate all the Anubias species. Anubias are low light plants that do very well in aquariums. Anubias are also one of the few plants that can be kept in an aquarium with cichlids. Back To Top

Anubias barteri (family Araceae) is a much more robust plant than the nana variety and its round or heart shaped leaves can add a lot to the aquarium. Anubias barteri attaches easily to rocks and driftwood but does not tolerate having its rhizome buried. Like the other Anubias species it can also have algae colonizing on its leave as the last for a long time on the plant. Growing the plant in a shady place in the aquarium may help combat this problem. This species can also be propagated from cutting the rhizome into pieces. Plants flower readily when grown emersed but do not set seed easily. Back To Top

Anubias congensis (family Araceae) is the most common of the spear shaped leaf Anubias species. Anubias congensis is also an African species and one of the larger growing species that can reach up to 25cm in height. This is an excellent plant in large aquariums where it can be attached to rocks or grown in the substrate if the rhizome is not buried. These plants are propagated commercially by tissue culture but can be grown from cutting up the rhizome and planting these pieces. This is like the other Anubias also a good choice of plant for a cichlid aquarium. CO2 may help the growth but if the plant seems to deteriorate it should be slowed down. Back To Top

Anubias gracillis (family Araceae) is also a large growing Anubias species reaching up to 30 cm in height. Like the other species mentioned this is also a hardy plant that can take the antics of cichlids very well. It needs only low light but does benefit from a micronutrient fertilizer added to the water. This plant may also suffer from algae colonization's on the leaves. To help keep up the vigor of the plant older leaves should be periodically removed. Anubias gracillis may not be a species on its own and is sometimes called a variety of Anubias congensis. Unfortunately all the Anubias species are all very similar and a new study on their identification would help growers a lot with their correct identification. Back To Top

Anubias nana (family Araceae) is the smallest of the Anubias species and one of the most sort after aquarium plants. This is because it is very hardy and will grow in most conditions. It does not need high light and will grow on most substrates. It seems to do better if planted on rocks or drift wood pieces. Anubias nana propagates easily from cutting its rhizome into pieces and planting these. These plants also flower readily when grown emersed. Back To Top

Bacopa caroliniana (family Scrophulariaceae) is a North American species. It is a fairly easy plant to grow with no special requirements. If grown in bright light the plant will develop a red-brown colouring. Grown emersed the plant flowers easily with bright blue flowers. In the aquarium the plant should be planted in groups to get the best effect. Bacopa caroliniana can be propagated easily by cuttings but the flowers do not seem to set seed easily. In an open aquarium the plants will grow through the surface easily. Back To Top

click to enlarge Ceratopteris thalictroides

Ceratopteris thalictroides (family Pteridaceae) Water Sprite is an aquatic fern similar to C. cornuta but with much finer foliage. This is normally an easy growing plant that appreciates a lot of light, high temperatures and a good supply of nutrients like most fast growing plants. It will also benefit from CO2. Ceratopteris thalictroides is an excellent choice for a new aquarium where it will help remove excess nitrates and phosphates. Like C. cornuta it also propagates very easily by separating plantlets that have formed on the edges of the leaves. Any leaves that have broken off will also form new plants if left floating in the water. Back To Top

click to enlarge Cryptocoryne wendtii brown

Cryptocoryne wendtii brown (family Araceae) is one of the darker brown varieties of the wendtii. This species is also very variable, depending on the conditions it is grown in. this is an easy plant to maintain in the aquarium and spreads by small underground stems quickly. It can be propagated by seed and also by dividing the new offshoots. Older plants don’t seem to be as beneficial to the aquarium as the new plants as they seem to slow slightly in their growth rate. This plant does not have to many preferences and does well in most conditions. This is probably the most popular of all the Cryptocoryne species and is an excellent plant for any aquarium. Back To Top

click to enlarge Cryptocoryne wendtii green

Cryptocoryne wendtii green (family Araceae) is from Asia. This is one of the many varieties of Cryptocoryne wendtii and even this species varies depending on the conditions it is grown in. if this plant is grown emersed it flowers and sets seed easily. These seeds germinate well in the aquarium and small colonies can be grown with this easy plant. Like other Cryptocoryne species these plants are also susceptible to the so-called Cryptocoryne rot which could be caused by too much iron in the water or large amounts of CO2. Back To Top

click to enlarge Echinodorus grandiflorus

Echinodorus grandiflorus (family Alismataceae) is of the biggest of the Amazon sword plant species with a single leaf reaching over a metre in length if the plant is doing well. Echinodorus grandiflorus needs to be grown in an open aquarium to be able to grow out of the water and is ideal for the indoor pond or large open aquarium. These plants flower and propagate themselves easily by forming small plantlets on the flower stalks. These can be separated when they have rooted and planted into a rich substrate as this is a fast growing plant. As with the other Echinodorus species this plant grows best at high temperatures but can tolerate slightly lower temperatures than the other species, but will not flower as profusely. the thick fleshy leaf stalks of this plant are attacked by the Ancistris catfish species as a source of food. Back To Top

Echinodorus martii (family Alismataceae) is a smaller Amazon species reaching about 40 centimetres. This is good plant for a focal point in the aquarium. The plants leaves are light green and almost seethrough with darker edges. The margins of the leaves are undulated. Echinodorus martii is sensitive to nutrient defficiency, especially iron. This can be seen by yellowing between the veins on the leaf or in severe cases an almost white or transparent leaf. This can normally be stopped by having a rich substrate or adding iron rich liquid fertilizer (preferably with chelated iron source). Grown emersed this plant also flowers well in the summer months and produces many plantlets on the stout flower stalks. Back To Top

click to enlarge Echinodorus osoris rubra

Echinodorus osoris rubra (family Alismataceae) is a fairly easy plant to maintain both grown submersed or emersed. The submersed new leaves are normally darker red and more enlogated than the emersed plant. Ample nutrients especially iron are important if the plant is to grow with its full colour. Iron rich liquid fertilizer and a rich substrate will benefit the plant. This plant tolerates fairly cool conditions and flowers profusely if the tempreture is high and and daylenght long. Plantlets grow easily if they are separated from the flower stalk when they are rooted. Seeds are formed but are not fertile so the plant needs to be propageted vegetatively. Back To Top

click to enlarge Echinodorus paniculatus

Echinodorus paniculatus (family Alismataceae) is the most popular of the Echinodorus species and possibly allthe aquarium plants. This is a fairly easy growing plant that needs a good amount of light and a fertile substrate. These plants flower readily and like the other Echinodorus species form plantlets on the flower stalk or peduncle, these can be separated and replanted in the substrate (seems to flower more in the summer months). Plants grow large with many leaves, up to 50 centimetres. Back To Top

click to enlarge Echinodorus parviflorus

Echinodorus parviflorus (family Alismataceae) is a fairly small Amazon, but it makes up for size with its almost ruffled leaf apearance. This is a fairly slow growing plant and is not to fussy with the conditions it will grow in. Although good light is needed to get good dark green leaves. This plant also propagates by forming plantlets on the flower stalks. Back To Top

Echinodorus schlueteri (family Alismataceae) is a low growing plant suitable for small aquariums too.Grown emeresed this plant grows alot bigger and can reach up to 50 centimetres in height. Its broad ovate leaves are marked with red, most noticable on the young leaves. Bright light is important to make these marks visible. This is a fairly fast growing plant so needs a rich substrate, CO2 also helps this plant to grow well. In summer the plant reproduces by plantlets forming on the inflorescence. Back To Top

Echinodorus x rose (family Alismataceae) is a strong plant with yellow green to pink young leaves when grown emersed but dark red when submerged. The older leaves are dark green to an almost brown colour. This plant needs a good fertile substrate to ensure good growth and is generally an easy plant to maintain in the aquarium. Propagation is carried out the same as the other species by plantlets taken off the flower stalks. Back To Top

click to enlarge Hemigraphis colorata broad leaf

Hemigraphis colorata broad leaf is a very popular plant for the aquarium. This is because of its bright crimson undersides of its leaves and dark green upper surface.The leaves on this plant also have a hammered apearance which makes the plant more attractive. This is a fairly easy plant to grow in the aquarium as long as it has a rich substrate and good lighting. This plant propagates easily by cuttings that form adventitious roots on the nodes of the slightly hairy stems. Back To Top

click to enlarge Hydrocotyle verticillata

Hydrocotyle verticillata (family Apiaceae) is a very ornamental plant because of its unusual shaped leaves. The stem of the plant creeps along the substrate withits leaves straight up. This plant does well both in and out of the aquarium and is also used as a pot plant in a hanging basket. Hydrocotyle verticillata needs a lot of light to do well as it is a fast growing plant.Agood supply of nutrients is also important either in the substrate if the plant is rooted or in the water if the plant is floating. Back To Top

Hygrophila polysperma (family Acanthaceae) is a very popular aquarium plant that is often planted in very large bunches. This is a very easy plant to maintain and can be made to grow really fast by providing good light and nutrients. This is an excellent plant for a new aquarium to help use up excess nutrients. Its propagation is very easy by cuttings and the more the plants are cut back the better they branch out to form bigger plants. Back To Top

Hygrophilla siamensis (family Acanthaceae) has light green coloured leaves when grown in the aquarium. The internodes also shorten making the plant more compact .This is probably a variety of corymbosa. Grown emersed the plants leaves turn a dark almost blue green colour. These plants also send out many light blue flowers in winter when it is grown out of water. It propagates easily from cuttings and besides good lighting does not need any special requirements. Back To Top

click to enlarge Lilaeopsis brasiliensis

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis (family Apiaceae) is a small creeping grass like plant that does very well both as an aquatic plant or a emersed plant. This plant comes from South America and can stand very low temperatures but grows faster if the temperature is warm and there is ample light. These easy plants can simply be divided up to propagate them. Flowering is apparently not often observed. Back To Top

click to enlarge Limnophylla sessiliflora

Limnophylla sessiliflora (family Scrophulariaceae) is commonly known by aquarusts and dealers as Ambulia. This popular plant with its fine Cabomba like leaves does very well in the aquarium. This plant propagates very easily and the tips that are cut off to control its fast growth can be planted straight into the substrate. the plant is a good choice for a new aquarium to help with controlling high phosphate and nitrate levels with its fast growth. Back To Top

Ludwigia species (family Scrophulariaceae). This is most likely a variety of Ludwigia repens and is very similar in all its requirements and growth except it is slightly more robust. This plant can be grown in bunches in the aquarium and cut back when it grows to tall to make the plant branch out more. This plant may be polyploide because the seeds do not seem to be fertile and its growth is very fast. Back To Top

Lysimachia numularia (family Primulaceae). There is a gold variety ("aurea") of this amphibious plant available which is slightly slower growing, but both plants are relatively undemanding. These plants are best planted in groups in the aquarium. Lysimachia propagates easily from cuttings. Back To Top

Microsorium pteropus (Java Fern) (family Polypodiaceae) is a popular aquatic fern. This plant can tolerate very low light and almost any water quality. These ferns should be grown on top of the substrate rather than buried. They are a good choice to be attached to roots rocks and driftwood where they will do very well and add a new dimension to the aquarium. Microsorium is a fern so reproduces sexually with spores that are formed on the undersides of the leaves. Small plantlets are also formed on the edges and undersides of the leaves especially if the leaves are left to float on the surface of the aquarium. These can be planted as they get bigger. Back To Top

Nymphea species (family Nymphaeaceae). These plants are sometimes known as pixie lilies. There are many species and varieties with heart shaped aquatic leaves. The leaves are very varied from bright green to dark red. These plants form floating leaves as they get more established. These can be cut off to force aquatic leaves to grow. Nymphea species propagate by forming thousands of seed as well as by vegetative bulbs which are normally found in the aquarium trade. Back To Top

Ophiopogon japonicus kyoto dwarf is as its name suggests a dwarf variety of japonicus. This compact plant is slow growing and tolerant of most conditions. Its very dark green leaves are very hardy and this is another good plant for aquariums with fish that damage plants. This plant is generally used in the foreground of the aquarium in small clumps. These plants propagate by splitting the plant and replanting the divisions. Back To Top

. This plant database has descriptions, photos and other valuable information about some of the more popular aquarium plants used today. Click pictures to enlarge.
Anubias afzellis \| Anubias barteri \| Anubias congensis Anubias gracillis \| Anubias nana \|Bacopa caroliniana	Ceratopteris thalictroides \| Cryptocoryne wendtii brown \| Cryptocoryne wendtii green Echinodorus grandiflorus \| Echinodorus martii \|Echinodorus osoris rubra	Echinodorus paniculatus \| Echinodorus parviflorus \| Echinodorus schlueteri Echinodorus x rose \| Hemigraphis colorata broad leaf \|Hydrocotyle verticillata
Hygrophila polysperma \| Hygrophilla siamensis \| Lilaeopsis brasiliensis Limnophylla sessiliflora \| Ludwigia species \|Lysimachia numularia	Microsorium pteropus \| Nymphea species \| Ophiopogon japonicus kyoto dwarf	Pruning