Adding plants to your aquarium is one of the best upgrades you can make—they oxygenate the water, absorb nitrates to prevent algae, provide hiding spots for fish, and make your tank look stunning. But as a beginner, the last thing you want is high-maintenance plants that melt or require CO2 injection. The good news? There are plenty of easy fish tank plants that thrive with minimal effort, low light, and no fancy fertilizers.
In this guide, we’ll cover my top 8 easy fish tank plants perfect for beginners, their care requirements, benefits, and how to add them without hassle. These are all low-tech, forgiving species that grow in almost any fish tank setups (See our starting a fish tank for beginners guide). We’ll also explain how they help with common issues like high nitrates (link to how to lower nitrate in fish tank) or algae (link to how to remove algae from your aquarium easily).
We’ll include affiliate links for easy shopping (disclosure: some earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you). By the end, you’ll know the easiest plants to start with and how to keep them thriving. Let’s make your tank greener!
Why Choose Easy Fish Tank Plants as a Beginner?
These plants are forgiving—they survive low light, with basic substrates, and occasional neglect, making them ideal for new beginners and busy people. Some of their benefits include:
- Nutrient Control: Absorb nitrates/ammonia, reducing algae and improving water quality.
- Oxygen Production: Release O2 during the day, benefiting fish.
- Natural Habitat: Provide cover for shy fish, reducing stress.
- Low Maintenance: No CO2, minimal ferts, slow growth.
- Aesthetics: Turn bare tanks into lush aquascapes.
For planted beginners, start with low-light species to avoid failures. They pair well with basic lighting (I’ve got a short guide on the best fish tank light for plants) and inert substrate (best aquarium substrate).
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Add and Care for Easy Fish Tank Plants
- Choose Plants: Match light/substrate (low-light for beginners).
- Quarantine: Bucket 1 week to kill pests.
- Add to Tank:
- Rhizome: Tie to decor with thread.
- Rooted: Plant shallow in substrate.
- Floating: Drop on the surface.
- Moss: Spread or tie down.
- Care Routine:
- Light 6-8 hours (link to lights).
- Fertilize weekly if growth is slow.
- Trim overgrowth.
My Top 8 Easy Fish Tank Plants for Beginners
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Java Fern
Type: Rhizome
Light Needs: Low
Growth Rate: Slow
Benefit: absorbs nitrates, releases oxygen, helps to control algae, and stabilizes pH.
Anubias
Type: Rhizome
Light Needs: Low
Growth Rate: Slow
Benefit: improving water quality by absorbing nitrates.
Java Moss
Type: moss
Light Needs: Low
Growth Rate: Medium
Benefit: Boosts oxygen levels, absorbs nitrates.
Amazon Sword
Type: Rooted
Light Needs: Medium
Growth Rate: Medium
Benefit: Enhances water quality through absorption of nitrates and ammonia, and provides oxygenation.
Duckweed
Type: Floating
Light Needs: Low
Growth Rate: Fast
Benefit: Acts as a natural water purifier by absorbing excess nutrients (nitrates, phosphates), reduces algae, and provides oxygenation.
Hornwort
Type: Rooted
Light Needs: Low
Growth Rate: Fast
Benefit: Acts as a natural filter, absorbs ammonia/nitrates, and provides oxygen.
Frogbit
Type: Floating
Light Needs: Low
Growth Rate: Medium
Benefit: Acts as a natural water purifier by absorbing nitrates and reducing algae by providing shade.
Water Sprite
Type: Rooted
Light Needs: Low
Growth Rate: Fast
Benefit: Absorbs excess nutrients to fight algae, increases oxygen levels, and provides shelter.
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Where to Buy Easy Fish Tank Plants
Finding healthy, pest-free plants is key to success. Here are the best places to buy easy aquarium plants, with pros/cons for beginners:
- Online Specialists (Buce Plant, Aquarium Co-op) Pros: Wide selection, healthy stock, bundles, beginner packs. Cons: Shipping cost/time. Best For: Top quality easy plants. Links: Buce Plant, Aquarium Co-op
- Amazon Pros: Fast Prime shipping, affordable bundles, and plenty of reviews. Cons: Risk of DOA/pests. Best For: Budget/quick delivery. Shop all live plants on Amazon.com
- Chewy / Petco / Petsmart Pros: Reliable, return policy, occasional sales. Cons: Limited selection.
- Local Fish Stores Pros: See plants in person, advice from staff. Cons: Higher price, limited stock. Best For: Supporting local + immediate. Find via Google “aquarium store near me”
- Etsy / Small Sellers Pros: Unique varieties, portion sizes. Cons: Variable quality/shipping. Best For: Rare, easy plants.
Tip: Always quarantine new plants in a bucket for 1-2 weeks to avoid snails or algae hitchhikers. Start with 3-5 portions of Java Fern or Anubias for immediate impact.
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How to Prevent Issues With Plants In Your Tank
- Quarantine: Avoid snails/hitchhikers.
- Balance Light: 6-8 hours (link to lights).
- Trim Growth: Prevent overcover.
- Nutrients: Root tabs for rooted.
- Water Quality: Test nitrates (link to nitrates).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the easiest plant for beginners?
Java Fern is the easiest for beginners because it requires no substrate planting—just tie it to driftwood or rocks—and thrives in low light with minimal care. It grows slowly, tolerates a wide range of parameters, and rarely melts, making it forgiving for new hobbyists setting up their first tank.
Do easy plants need added CO2?
No, easy plants like Java Fern, Anubias, and floating species such as Duckweed thrive without CO2 injection, relying on natural levels in the water for growth. They’re perfect for low-tech setups, though adding CO2 can speed things up if you upgrade later.
What Plants are Best for low light?
Anubias and Java Moss are best for low light, growing steadily under basic LED fixtures (10-20 PAR) without leggy stretching or melting. They’re hardy, attach to decor, and provide cover for fish, making them ideal for dimly lit or beginner tanks with standard lighting. See my post on the best lights for your aquarium plants that answers a bunch of common questions.
Floating vs Rooted Plants?
Floating plants like Duckweed or Frogbit are easier since they need no planting and absorb nutrients directly from the water column, while rooted ones like Amazon Sword require substrate for stability. Plants that are floating tend to work faster for nitrate control; rooted plants add height and structure—start with floating for simplicity.
How Do I Prevent Plant Melting?
To prevent melting, acclimate plants slowly by floating them first, maintain stable parameters (pH 6.5-7.5, temp 72-82°F), and provide low-medium light to avoid shock. Trim dead leaves promptly and ensure good circulation—most melting is from drastic changes during introduction.
Do Plants Reduce Nitrates?
Plants like Hornwort and Duckweed reduce nitrates effectively by absorbing them as fertilizer, often dropping levels by 10-20 ppm weekly in moderately stocked tanks. Fast-growers are best—combine with water changes for optimal control and algae prevention.
What Is The Best substrate for Plants?
Inert gravel or sand is best for easy plants like rhizome types (no nutrients needed), while nutrient-rich soil benefits rooted ones—avoid heavy fertilizers for beginners. Fine sand works for moss carpets; gravel for flow (See my post on the best substrate for fish tanks that provides answers on substrate).
Should I Trim Floating Plants?
Yes, trim floating plants weekly to 30-50% surface coverage to allow light penetration for submerged plants and prevent oxygen depletion at night. Use a net to scoop excess—discard or share; uncontrolled growth can shade the tank and promote algae.
What Plants Are Safe for bettas?
Easy plants like Java Fern and Anubias are safe for bettas, providing resting spots near the surface with broad leaves and hiding among roots, reducing stress without sharp edges that could tear fins. Floating plants add cover too—bettas love hammocking on them.
Can I Grow Plants Without fertilizer?
Yes, most easy plants grow without fertilizer in established tanks with fish waste providing nutrients, especially low-light species like Java Moss or Frogbit. For faster growth or nutrient-poor water, add occasional root tabs or liquid ferts sparingly to avoid algae.
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Conclusion
Easy fish tank plants are the perfect way to upgrade your aquarium without adding complexity or high maintenance. These low-light, forgiving species like Java Fern, Anubias, Duckweed, and Frogbit provide natural beauty, absorb excess nitrates to prevent algae, offer hiding spots for fish, and oxygenate the water—all while thriving in basic setups with minimal care.
Whether you’re a complete beginner looking for indestructible options or wanting to control water quality issues like high nitrates, starting with a few of these top 10 plants will transform your tank into a lush, balanced ecosystem. They require no CO2, or fertilizer, and basic lighting, making them ideal for low-tech tanks.
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