No Aqua Soil or CO₂ Needed! 5 Low-light Aquatic Plants for Beginners

Today, I’m going to give you a rundown of plants that require neither carbon dioxide, nor aqua soil, and certainly not professional aquarium plant lights. The following types of aquatic plants are ones that fish-keeping beginners can choose blindly with confidence.

The Difference Between Low-light (Yin) and High-light (Yang) Aquatic Plants

First, you must distinguish between the so-called “Negative” (Low-light) aquatic plants and “Positive” (High-light) aquatic plants. Low-light aquatic plants are those that do not have high demands for light, but this is not like what some people understand as not needing any light at all. This point easily misleads some fish-keeping novices. It’s just that these low-light plants do not like strong light; that is to say, the duration of lighting should not be too long.

So, what are High-light aquatic plants? The so-called positive plants are those that like long periods of light exposure. At the same time, high-light plants also require plant lights, aqua soil, and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Therefore, as a fish-keeping beginner, when choosing aquatic plants, you must try to choose some low-light plants as much as possible.

Recommended Low-light Aquatic Plants for Beginners

The following aquatic plants all belong to the low-light category, and I have compiled them for you.

No. 5: Anacharis (Egeria densa)

This type of aquatic plant belongs to the hardy aquatic plants and does not have high requirements for light. It is best to have some sand or stones at the bottom of the fish tank (Note: used for anchoring the plants), where they can be planted. Plant them at the back of the fish tank as much as possible to serve as a background. Its water purification ability is also very strong. Keep the lighting time to 3~4 hours a day; the lighting time should not be too long. If it exceeds 8 hours, this aquatic plant is very prone to “algae blooms.”

No. 4: Bamboo-like Plant (Asian Marshweed)

For those keeping Guppies, Mollies, Butterflyfish, and Zebrafish (Note: common small ornamental fish), as well as various small fish, this plant is very familiar. Because this aquatic plant is known as the plant that cannot be killed. It does not have high requirements for light; natural light is the most reasonable. Moreover, this plant does not need bottom sand or aqua soil. It is especially suitable for small water bodies with no filtration and a small number of fish. Raising a few stems of this Bamboo-like plant can provide a decorative effect, purify the fish tank water quality, and better utilize the natural reproduction of the fish. With aquatic plants in the fish tank, small fish fry also have natural obstacles for hiding.

No. 3: Anubias

There are many varieties of Anubias. Common ones include Large Anubias (Anubias barteri), Anubias nana (Mini), Golden Anubias, and Petite Anubias (Denmark). The characteristics of this aquatic plant are that the leaves are relatively thick and the rhizomes are stout. It belongs to the low-light aquatic plants and fears strong light irradiation for too long. It can be planted in various bottom sands and stone crevices, or it can be glued to various stones and driftwood. As long as the fish tank water quality is kept clean, scattered or weak light is sufficient. The growth speed is relatively slow, and it is resistant to low temperatures. It is relatively common and very suitable for fish-keeping beginners to get started.

No. 2: Vallisneria (Val)

Vallisneria plants include Giant Val, Dwarf Val, and another type called Vallisneria natans. The difference in appearance between these three plants lies in their size and height. These types of aquatic plants are very familiar to hobbyists who like stream tanks and native biotope landscaping. They belong to low-light aquatic plants. They grow and take shape quickly and can generally be planted on the sides or in the back position of the fish tank. They do not have high requirements for light; turning on the lights for 3~5 hours a day is enough. However, for some aggressive native fish, some like to nibble on them. The difficulty of raising this aquatic plant is average, but it is still very suitable for fish-keeping beginners.

No. 1: Sword Plant (Echinodorus)

It can be called the “Cockroach” (indestructible survivor) of the aquatic plant world. Currently, there are Large-leaf Wine Swords and Mini Wine Swords on the market; the difference between the two lies in their height and size. This aquatic plant is very tough and durable, forms a landscape quickly, and has no requirements for the fish tank environment. It can be put directly into the fish tank whether it is a bare-bottom tank or one with bottom sand. The daily light requirement is scattered light for less than 5 hours. After growing for a certain period, it will also bloom small white flowers, and new aquatic plants will propagate at the joints. It belongs to the low-light aquatic plants that are very suitable for fish-keeping beginners.

Does anyone have any other aquatic plants they think are very easy to raise? You can also discuss and exchange ideas together in the comments section.