There are many betta fish plants available in the market but which one to choose. Well, there is no definite answer for that, as each plant has its own pros and cons.
In this detailed guide, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of best betta fish plants and their specification with a price.
Betta fish are also known as Siamese fighting fish is very famous among aquarists. Plants in the Betta fish tank are very necessary for their perfect growth.
Bettas are members of the gurami family and are very aggressive.
They are small in size but their supreme beauty and color patterns are second to none. This species is native to Thailand and Vietnam. They are formally known as Betta splendens.
They maybe look tiny but keeping the in small bowls is not fair to this esteemed beauty.
Local Pet Stores often advised that they can live happily in small jars and bowls. They say just for the sake of selling more betta and increase their business.
Origin
While bettas live in large marshes and rice paddies which are indeed heavily planted and bigger.
Betta fish is capable of living in small jars but that too is for short periods. So, this wrong perception about betta fish must be ignored and eradicated.
The truth is that betta fish can survive easily, and happily in planted spaces. They can live in a large space with a lot of vegetation and plantation.
This doesn’t give only give them the feel of their natural environment but also make them stay healthy and happy.
As an aquarist, if you have a tank and you want to put a betta fish in that. A planted tank for a betta is the way to go.
Betta fish live happily in the planted tanks because they provide them with a feel of their home and safety.
So, to do that one should have the necessary knowledge about how to set up a betta fish planted tanks.
See our other article on: Peppermint Angelfish: The Holy Grail -Origin, Lifespan, Growth Rate, Care Guide, Price
So, we have compiled a list of
25 Awesome betta fish plants.
1. Anubias Nana
The first plant on our list is anubias nana which can make a perfect plant for a betta fish tank.
Now let’s enlist certain qualities which make anubias nana the best plant for a fish tank.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | nubias Barteri Nana |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Maintenance Level | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Low |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Cost | $4.99 – $5.99 |
- Wide and broad leaves that provide enough spaces for a betta to hide in them, sleepover them and retain their energy.
- Small in size that makes them easy to care for, Easy to clean.
- There is no need for heavy lighting for their growth and this growth make them the best choice for low light aquarium plants.
- No need a large amount of fertilizers.
- Small nibbling creatures don’t eat their leaves as they have a bitter taste.
- They can grow easily in a fish tank by attaching them with wood and by rooting in the bottom substrate.
- They are slow grower that makes them easy to care for and maintain.
2. Amazon Sword
The second plant on our best plant for betta fish tank is Amazon sword.
Compared to anubias nana there are unique care requirements for this plant.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Echinodorus spp |
| Growth Rate | Medium |
| Maintenance Level | Medium |
| Light Requirement | High |
| Fertilizers | High |
| Cost | $7.99 – $8.99 |
Let’s enlist those requirements
- Amazon Sword can grows large to about 2 to 3 feet in length so they are not a good choice for small fish tanks.
- Amazon Sword also provides fish with a place to hide, lay eggs and serve them as their breeding places as well.
- They need high nutrition to grow so a quality substrate is required for them.
- As they grow into big plants their roots must be implanted 2-3 inches deep so that they can provide an anchor to plant stem.
3. White Sprite
White sprite is another great plant for fish tank and among the favorites of aquarist all around the world.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Ceratopteris thalictroides |
| Growth Rate | Rapid |
| Maintenance Level | Medium to high |
| Light Requirement | Medium to high |
| Fertilizers | medium |
| Cost | $7.99 – $9.99 |
Due to this fact, people refer to it as a Playground for betta fish.
As we know that an important trigger for betta fish breeding is nest making. This plant floats over the surface of water thus encouraging betta fish to form a bubble nest.
Now let’s run through some specifications of the White sprite.
- Requires high lighting for them to grow.
- Easy to maintain and trim.
- Grow wildly hence provide good nutrition to betta fish.
- One important point to remember is that because they grow very large and cover the top surface of the tank.
- This can stop light from entering the tank. This can result in low plant growth so trim them regularly so the growth of plant remains active.
All of the above specialities made white sprite a great plant for planted tanks.
4. Marimo Moss
When you are talking about the best plants for a fish tank you can’t ignore Marimo Moss balls.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Aegagropila line |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Maintenance Level | Medium to high |
| Light Requirement | low to high |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | high |
| Cost (pack of 6) | See here |
Tiny balls of fur like structure make a great addition to a planted aquarium.
They are a kind of algae but a beneficial one.
Listed below are some unique features of Moss.
- Their round shape is due to small tides that are made due to a water pump in the aquarium. So, low flow with no water current can make them flat.
- They require high-quality water. Nutrition level is low.
- They require lower temperatures but can also thrive in high temperature up to 70-75 degree.
5. Java Moss
While we are discussing moss family as the best plant for an aquarium, we cannot forget Java moss.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Taxiphyllum Barbieri |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Level | high |
| Light Requirement | low |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost | $19.00 |
Another perfect plant for your aquascape aquarium and that is for the following good reasons
- They are easy to grow. No particular space requirements on where to enroot them.
- No specific light requirements because they can thrive well under low light.
- While planted in a fish tank they can grow well and for a green carpet in the bottom of the tank.
- They grow wildly hence need constant trimming and care.
- They provide enough dense places for fish to hide in and explore.
6. Anacharis
Another great plant for fish tanks is as they are fast-growing and famous plants among fish keepers.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Elodea densa |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Level | high |
| Light Requirement | High |
| Fertilizers | medium |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost | $3.99 |
Let’s discuss some of their characteristics
- They are fast growers, thus need to trimmed regularly.
- They provide great hiding spaces for betta where they can hide and sleep.
- Anacharis plant can be rooted to the bottom are left to float as per your choice.
- The floating plant gives betta the necessary spaces to build a bubble nest under them.
- They are one of the favourite foods for some snails and fish as well.
- They require high lighting as they will get weaker with low light and drop of some leaves.
7. Lemna minor (The Duckweed)
They are small in size but they grow blazingly fast and once they start to grow, they pretty take the whole top of the tank for themselves.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Lemna minor |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Level | high |
| Light Requirement | low |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost | $8.99 |
By doing so they block a large amount of light from entering the tank. Hence stopping the growth of other plants
So, if you are planning to plant them in your tank think accordingly. Because they are very hard to remove.
Even if a single plant is left in the tank that can multiple very easily over a few days.
The duckweed plant is also useful for sucking up some extra nutrients from the tanks.
8. Hydrophila difformis (Wisteria)
Wisteria is another plant for betta fish aquarium. Its unique leaf style and patterns made it very popular among aquarists.
Here are some of its unique features
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | hydrophila difformis |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Level | high |
| Light Requirement | low |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost | $16.98 |
- Requires low light and care.
- Its shape highly depends on how do you plant it.
- They grow large that’s why they are not a suitable fit for plants less than 20 gallons.
- Wisteria don’t need a large amount of nutrition-based substrate. Any substrate will work fine with them.
- They can be used to form a bottom carpet in the tank that looks beautiful and eye-catching.
- Wisteria grows very fast and needs constant trimming.
9. Madagascar lace plant
Madagascar lace plant is another great plant for aquascape aquariums.
- They grow large in length up to 1 foot.
- Madagascar Lace Plant comes in different types each with different leaf size and shape.
- Due to their beauty leaf shape, they are truly a great addition in your next planted tank for the betta.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Aponogeton ulvaceus |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Level | high |
| Light Requirement | Medium |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | Medium |
| Cost | $10.90 |
Dried Bulbs
They come in dried round bulb shape and when planted into the new tank they start growing right away.
10. Christmas Moss
Another member from the moss family they are pretty much similar to java moss. A perfect betta fish plant for your planted tank.
Let’s explore some of its unique characteristics
- Grow at a slower pace.
- They don’t have much light requirement.
- Hardy in nature.
- Requires water temperature around 80 degrees.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Vesicularia montagnei |
| Growth Rate | slow |
| Maintenance Level | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Medium |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost | $11.99 |
11. Vallisneria
They belong to a family of Hydrocharitaceae. Vallisneria is One of the best betta fish plants to be kept in an aquarium. It is quite undemanding and easy to handle too.
This freshwater aquatic plant is also known by other names like eelgrass, Vallis and especially as tape grass.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Vallisneria spp |
| Growth Rate | Medium |
| Maintenance Level | Easy |
| Light Requirement | low |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | Low |
| Cost | $27.90 |
This plant is available in enormous tropical regions of Africa and Asia. It has three most common species, first, Vallisneria tortifolia, (rather smaller one), second is Vallisneria spiralis (most commonly used in aquatics. Lastly Vallisneria gigantea (largest form).
Vallisneria spiralis is famous for its length as well as its spiral shape. It provides an easy and fun hideout to plants. Vallisneria is one of the most favourite live plants for the fish hobbyist because of their easygoing nature, they require very little carbon dioxide concentration, low light intensity and can accept both neutral and alkaline environments. They are not even very picky when it comes to the type of substrate.
They are very easy to take care of but they are quite expensive for beginners. Moreover, your betta fish will love to hang around this amazing plant.
12. Gelid waterklawer (Marsilea minuta)
Marsilea minuta is most commonly known as Dwarf Water clover. It is one of the best betta fish plants. Belongs to the Marsileaceae family. It is widely available in many parts of the world including, India, Bengal, Thailand and Japan.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Marsilea Minuta |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Maintenance Level | Easy |
| Light Requirement | High |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | Low |
| Cost | $12.95 |
This plant is known by many names including Geild waterklawer, pepperwort and Airy pepperwort. It can grow to a maximum of 5-13 cm. Its leaves do not tend to stay erect they submerge to form a carpet-like appearance above the water surface.
They are easy to keep and are very unchallenging. They have minimum water requirements that’s why they made their way into the list of best betta fish plants. Can easily survive with low light. This plant is not very substrate-specific and can tolerate changes in water parameters.
Well, they are quite cheap and handy. Furthermore, it can prove to be an interesting environment for your betta fish.
13. Water Trumpet (Cryptocoryne Wendtii)
Wendt’s water trumpet is the most beloved aquarium plant. Many aquatics consider themselves honored by having this plant. A local inhabitant of Sri Lanka and its surroundings, this plant is very rare.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Cryptocoryne wendtii |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Maintenance Level | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Low |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost | $5.95 |
It shows connections to the Araceae family of plants. When it comes to keeping this plant in your home aquarium for your pet betta, it seems a perfect choice. Bettas seem to love this plant and get along well.
It likes a very dim environment just like betta so they are like best buds. Slow-moving water is best for its growth. Their color varies from deep green to reddish-brown. they require unique water conditions for cultivation.
14. Banana plant
This plant can prove to be a valuable addition to your freshwater aquarium. This aquatic banana plant is quite unusual for a fish tank but it has got numerous qualities to itself. The banana plant belongs to southeastern America.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Nymphoides Aquatica |
| Growth Rate | Medium |
| Maintenance Level | high |
| Light Requirement | Medium |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost | $11.99 |
This plant is infamous for the thick stem that holds tons of nutritions to itself. This plant will be very appreciated by your pet betta as it lives in low to medium light conditions. A slow-moving water area is a favorite spot for this plant.
One of the most interesting facts about this plant is that, if you succeed in establishing only one plant in your aquarium it can start a colony in a short time. Although this condition would be a little troublesome for beginners, they provide an awesome atmosphere to your betta.
They are quite cheap and easily available at any local pet store. They can cost you a little 4-5$ at most. Such a precious buddy for your pet at such a low some price is a win-win situation.
15. Anubias Barteri
Another anubias in our collection, one of the hardiest plants in this list with a West African background. Similar to the previous anubias on our list it is also a slow-growing plant. A nice addition to betta fish plants.
There are many reasons to include this plant in the list of best betta fish plants available right now.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Anubias Barteri |
| Growth Rate | Easy |
| Maintenance Level | High |
| Light Requirement | low |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost | $6.99 |
Low light and water requirements but algae will find their way of growing on to them because they provide them with the perfect platform.
Similar to anubias nana they also like to latch themselves with rocks and dirt wood.
But this plant can outgrow the former in height thus making them an unsuitable choice for small aquariums.
16. Cryptocoryne Parva
Another plant with a Sri Lankan background. They usually remain small in length about 3-6 cm.
Need more light for them to grow. Usually, they don’t change their leaf shape based on where and how their cultivation takes place.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Cryptocoryne Parva |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Level | high |
| Light Requirement | High |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost | $9.99 |
They must not be under some other plants shadow because this will lead to poor growth and often leaf damage can be observed.
One can some nutrition capsules to enhance their growth and general development.
Once the planted fish tank is established in 6 months they can grow and form a beautiful group and enhances the overall beauty of the aquarium.
17. Pygym chain sword (Helanthium tenellum)
An interesting plant to our list collection with sword-like leaves it got its name chain sword.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Echinodorus Tenellus |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Level | Moderate |
| Light Requirement | High |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost (pack of 6) | $29.99 |
Long ago in the aquarium hobby, it was named Echinodorus tenellus. But now as Helanthium tenellum.
They require low light and are very undemanding towards water and environmental conditions. They are originated from the Northern united states.
There are many variations in the shape of leaves and that depends on the region they were cultivated.
These plants can make a beautiful foreground of planted betta fish tanks.
Their leaves are dark green and usually grow about 1 to 2 cm in length. The new leaves have the color of dark red.
18. Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)
Amazon Frogbit is a floating betta fish plant and a very popular one among aquarists. It is also called smooth Frogbit or sponge plant as well.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Limnobium laeviatum |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Level | high |
| Light Requirement | Medium |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost (pack of 6) | $19.99 |
Their basic origin is North America. They are one of the best betta fish plants for any reason. It is used by many aquarists while planting their tanks for their betta fish.
They can grow up to 50cm tall when get matured. Hence are not a good choice for small tanks.
Can suck the nutrients in them and by covering the whole surface of the tank they can also damage other plants as well.
19. Hornwort
Hornwort is another great addition to a betta fish aquarium. They require low care and their maintenance is also easy.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Ceratophyllum demersum |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Level | Medium |
| Light Requirement | low |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | Medium |
| Cost (pack of 6) | $14.90 |
They are very undemanding in terms of water quality as they can take the same water conditions that are already in place.
They grow large thus not suitable for small aquariums.
Need regular trimming and pruning to avoid unnecessary damages to other plants.
They can suck the nutritions from the tanks so a decent amount of fertilizers must be given to them.
Hornwort also provides betta fish fry with a great cover and a place to hide.
20. Hygrophila (Hygrophila Corymbose)
Hygrophila is another great plant for a planted tank for betta because they have narrow leaves and they remain shorter.
| Attribute | Specification |
| Formal Name | Hygrophila Corymbose |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Maintenance Level | high |
| Light Requirement | low |
| Fertilizers | Low |
| Water Quality | medium |
| Cost (pack of 6) | $4.95 |
Due to their lower height, it’s easy for someone to take care of them.
They require moderate light to grow. Hygrophila is a great plant for a beginner because its care level is easy.
Sand and any kind of gravel can become the host of its roots and the root must be buried carefully in 2-3 inches depth.
A rich amount of CO2 and fertilizers must be provided to ensure better growth.
This was the complete list of best betta fish plants for you. For more information regarding fish and aquariums visit here.
Advantages of Planted tank for betta
Freshly hatched fry is unable to feed on anything because of their small size but plants produce microorganisms which can be then eaten by those fries.
Plants provide fish with a feeling of security. They provide enough space for them to hide and relax there.
They provide a safe hideout for fish fry to grow.
Plants produce oxygen during the day which results in stabilized pH and other nutrients. While in return CO2 is produced by fish that helps in plant growth.
Reduce algae growth in fish tanks by consuming all the necessary nutrients which are produced by fish waste and other decomposing media.
Plants provide the tank with a nice look and enhance the overall beauty of the tank.
Disadvantages Of having a planted Tanks
As we know that plants decompose with the passage of time. When these plants decompose, they leave their waste in the tank which can b harmful for the fish and their health.
Some plant grows so big in size and then take over the whole aquarium. This result in a low level of light entrance thus resulting in bad growth of other plants.
Conclusion
Plants add beauty, colour, feel and ergonomics into the tank. They not only provide fish with a feeling of safety but also trigger their spawning behavior.
Plants also help in the growth of fry and provide them with necessary nutrition.
Let us know which one of the above plants you have planted in a tank.
