Family Reference
Aquatic Plants
Anubias, Java fern, Vallisneria, cryptocorynes, stem plants, mosses, carpet plants — what grows under low light and what needs CO2 injection.
The Complete Aquarium Plants Guide: Low-Tech to CO2
Field reference to freshwater aquarium plants: growth forms, light and CO2 classes, substrate feeding, emersed transition, shop frauds.
Read the guide →Species & Profiles
All articles in this section
Why Are My Aquarium Plants Turning Yellow?
Why aquarium plants turn yellow, diagnosed by leaf position: old leaves signal mobile-nutrient deficiency (nitrogen, potassium, magnesium); new growth signals iron or manganese shortage.
Why Are My Stem Plants Growing Leggy?
Leggy stem plants — long internodes, sparse leaves, stretched growth — are etiolation, a photoreceptor-driven response to insufficient PAR, wrong spectrum, or short photoperiod.
High-Tech vs Low-Tech Planted Tank
High-tech and low-tech planted tanks are different design philosophies, not rungs on a quality ladder. CO2 injection, PAR targets, fertilisation, and plant choice diverge sharply between them.
Why Are My Cryptocoryne Plants Melting?
Cryptocoryne melt is an adaptive leaf-shedding response, not a disease. Learn to distinguish recoverable melt from rhizome rot, the six main triggers, and how to help your crypts return to full growth in 4-8 weeks.
How to Prevent Algae in Low-Tech Tanks
How to keep algae out of a low-tech planted tank without CO2 injection: plant density, photoperiod, lean dosing, algae crew, and maintenance rhythm.
Why Is Black Beard Algae on My Plants?
Black beard algae (Audouinella spp.) colonises plant edges and hardscape when CO2 fluctuates. Identification, causes, spot-treatment options, and the systemic correction that prevents regrowth.
Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis): Care Guide
Care profile of Hygrophila difformis: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei): Care Guide
Care profile of Vesicularia montagnei: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Amazon Sword (Echinodorus bleheri): Care Guide
Care profile of Echinodorus bleheri: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Cryptocoryne wendtii: Care and Crypt Melt
Care profile of Cryptocoryne wendtii: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis parvula): Carpet Care
Care profile of Eleocharis parvula / acicularis: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures.
Anubias nana (Anubias barteri var. nana): Care Guide
Care profile of Anubias barteri var. nana: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures.
Ludwigia repens: Red Stem Plant Care
Care profile of Ludwigia repens: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus): Care Guide
Care profile of Microsorum pteropus: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri): Care Guide
Care profile of Taxiphyllum barbieri: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Rotala rotundifolia: Red Stem Plant Care
Care profile of Rotala rotundifolia: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Monte Carlo (Micranthemum tweediei): Carpet Care
Care profile of Micranthemum tweediei: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Anubias barteri: Large Rhizome Plant Care
Care profile of Anubias barteri: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Bacopa caroliniana: Stem Plant Care Guide
Care profile of Bacopa caroliniana: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Cryptocoryne balansae: Tall Ribbon Crypt Care
Care profile of Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures.
Why Are My Aquarium Plants Melting?
Plant melt has four common causes: emersed-to-submersed transition, CO2 instability, light or hardness shock, and root disturbance.
Vallisneria spiralis: Background Plant Care
Care profile of Vallisneria spiralis: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum): Floating Plant Care
Care profile of Ceratophyllum demersum: growth form, lighting, CO2, planting method, propagation, common failures, and aquarium pairings for freshwater tanks.