If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. That’s how we keep the site running. How we choose.
Background plants are the tall species that fill the rear of the tank, hide heaters and filter pipes and create a green backdrop for the fish. Many of them are fast growers, which makes them excellent allies against algae: they take up nitrate and phosphate before algae can.
- Vallisneria: long ribbon leaves that spread by runners; very easy, likes harder water.
- Amazon sword: a large rosette plant that needs root tabs and space; better for tanks of 30 gallons (120 L) or more.
- Water wisteria, Hygrophila corymbosa and Limnophila: fast stem plants that grow without CO2.
- Hornwort (Ceratophyllum): grows floating or anchored and is one of the best plants for a new tank.
- Rotala wallichii, Pogostemon erectus and Myriophyllum: fine-leaved stems that look spectacular but prefer good light and CO2.
- Aponogeton ulvaceus: a bulb plant with wavy leaves that may rest for a few months.
Plan for maintenance: fast stems need trimming every week or two once established. Plant them in groups of several stems of the same species rather than single stems scattered around, and leave a gap between the plants and the back glass so water can circulate.
Background plants
| Species | Light | CO₂ | Temp. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Amazon sword (Echinodorus bleheri) Echinodorus grisebachii 'Bleheri' | Medium | Optional (helps) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Vallisneria Vallisneria spiralis | Low | Not needed | 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) | Easy |
| Aponogeton ulvaceus Aponogeton ulvaceus | Medium | Optional (helps) | 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) | Moderate |
 Asian ambulia (Limnophila sessiliflora) Limnophila sessiliflora | Medium | Optional (helps) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) Ceratophyllum demersum | Low | Not needed | 50–82 °F (10–28 °C) | Easy |
 Myriophyllum mattogrossense (green milfoil) Myriophyllum mattogrossense | Medium | Optional (helps) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
| Pogostemon erectus Pogostemon erectus | Medium | Optional (helps) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Moderate |
| Rotala wallichii Rotala wallichii | High | Essential | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Difficult |
 Temple plant (Hygrophila corymbosa) Hygrophila corymbosa | Medium | Optional (helps) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
 Water wisteria Hygrophila difformis | Medium | Optional (helps) | 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) | Easy |
No species match those filters.