The best aquarium plants for beginners

Java fern: Java fern is a slow-growing plant that is very hardy and easy to care for. It can be attached to driftwood or rocks, or planted in the substrate. Java fern does not require a lot of light or fertilizer, and it can tolerate a wide range of water conditions.

Anubias: Anubias is another hardy and easy-to-care-for plant. It is similar to Java fern, but it has slightly smaller leaves. Anubias can also be attached to driftwood or rocks, or planted in the substrate. Anubias does not require a lot of light or fertilizer, and it can tolerate a wide range of water conditions.

Breath of Africa Fascinating Anubias

Anubias is distributed in tropical rainforests mainly in West Africa, and many of them naturally grow in waterside areas where there is a water flow in a dense jungle like clinging onto driftwood and rocks. For that reason, it has been loved as a beautiful aquatic plant with full of wildness reminiscent of a river in West Africa, by aquarists for a long time. Moreover, unlike Cryptocoryne and Lagenandra which are the same Araceae family, one of the characteristics is that it hardly changes its appearance above or under water. We will introduce some of unique Anubias including standard species, newcomer and rare species in this section

Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Golden’
It is an improved variety of Anubias barteri  var. nana with unique leaves in eye-catching bright lime-green. If planting it as an accent, it wonderfully stands out.

Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia
The deep green color and leaf surface elevated between lateral veins are distinctive. The wildness when fully grown looks the best among all the Anubias. It bears its name from the look of its new buds in reddish brown.

Anubias barteri var. coffeefolia
The deep green color and leaf surface elevated between lateral veins are distinctive. The wildness when fully grown looks the best among all the Anubias. It bears its name from the look of its new buds in reddish brown.

Although they are the same glabra, there are various types of leaves, such as wavy type (Minima) and variegated type (Dragon Claw).

Anubias barteri var. glabra
Its distribution area is relatively wide compared with other Anubias barteri, and various leaf variations are known. This is a normal type, and the thin leaves with matte texture are perfect for creating natural feelings.

Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Coin Leaf’
As the name suggests, its round shaped leaves like coins look lovely. The leaves are unfolded radially from rhizomes. The plant looks very cute having slightly long petioles and wide round heart-shaped leaves.

Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Pangorino’
It is the smallest type of Anubias distributed. The way it unfolds narrow egg-shaped leaves in a relatively dense condition, is distinctive, and it is optimal for small aquarium tanks. However, because it grows very slowly, be careful with algae

Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Paxing’
The sharp pointed tips of its leaves are impressive. The leaf margins warp upwards from the base of leaves that are slightly wavy to the tips of leaves. You should plant it while considering the nature that it crawls horizontally.

Anubias congensis
It is characterized by its big rhizomes and thick leaves unfolded from the rhizomes. Lines of lateral veins that look like they are drawn in detail, are beautiful. Although it looks similar to Anubias afzelii, leaves of Anubias congensis are wider and more oval-shaped.

Anubias gracilis
This Anubias has distinctive spear to ear shaped bases which are what we call ears. It is on the smaller side among all the Anubias with ears. Anubias gracilis grows better above water. It would be nice to enjoy the unique leaves in Terrarium or Paludarium.

Anubias gigantea
This Anubias has large ears. It seems that there are many variations in shapes depending on the natural habitats. Its great presence unique to large species makes us want to enjoy it in an environment like an open-aquarium.

Anubias sp. ‘Kirin’
Waves that undulate strongly on the leaf margin are attractive. It is a new type of Anubias that is easy to use when creating layouts because of its moderate size. Leaf veins on the dark green leaf surface look fascinating.

Amazon sword: Amazon sword is a larger plant that can add a lot of visual interest to your aquarium. It is relatively easy to care for, but it does require more light and fertilizer than Java fern or Anubias. Amazon sword can be planted in the substrate, and it can grow quite tall.

Java moss: Java moss is a versatile plant that can be used to carpet the bottom of your aquarium, cover driftwood or rocks, or even create moss balls. Java moss is very easy to care for and does not require a lot of light or fertilizer.

Vallisneria: Vallisneria is a tall, slender plant that can be used to create a background in your aquarium. It is relatively easy to care for and does not require a lot of light or fertilizer. Vallisneria can be planted in the substrate, and it can grow quite tall.

Vallisneria spiralis 'Tiger'
Vallisneria spiralis 'Tiger' from Asia is an excellent plant for beginners, growing in virtually all light and water conditions.

Vallisneria nana
Vallisneria nana from Australia is a solitary contrast plant with dark green, rosulate, narrow leaves (less than 1 cm). It is extremely suitable as a mid-ground plant, but can also be used as a background plant in small aquariums. The leaves are much narrower than with other species of Vallisneria, nor are they quite as long.

Vallisneria americana 'Natans'
Vallisneria sp. ‘Natans’ from Asia is a hardy plant for beginners. It has fine, narrow leaves (50-100 cm long, 1 cm wide) so it does not overshadow other plants much. Easy to propagate using its many runners. 

Vallisneria americana 'Gigantea'
Vallisneria sp. Gigantea from Asia is an easy plant that grows fast, suitable for large aquariums. In most aquariums the leaves grow so long that they float on the surface (50-150 cm, 2 cm wide). So the plant needs pruning to stop it taking too much light from plants growing beneath. The leaves are tough and strong, so they are not normally eaten by herbivorous fish.

Vallisneria americana 'Asiatica'
Vallisneria sp. Asiatica has twisted, green leaves that make a beautiful contrast when planted in groups. Its shorter leaves (20-30 cm) differ from most other Vallisneria species and do not overshadow other plants in the aquarium. An easy plant that readily propagates via runners.

These are just a few of the many great aquarium plants that are available for beginners. When choosing plants for your aquarium, be sure to consider the size of your aquarium, the type of fish you want to keep, and the amount of light and fertilizer you are willing to provide.

Here are some additional tips for choosing and caring for aquarium plants for beginners:

• Choose plants that are appropriate for the size of your aquarium. Some plants can grow quite large, so it is important to choose plants that will not outgrow your aquarium.
• Choose plants that are compatible with the type of fish you want to keep. Some fish, such as cichlids, may eat plants.
• Choose plants that are appropriate for the amount of light and fertilizer you are willing to provide. Some plants require more light and fertilizer than others.
• Plant your plants according to their needs. Some plants need to be planted in the substrate, while others can be attached to driftwood or rocks.
• Fertilize your plants regularly. This will help them to grow and thrive.
• Trim your plants regularly. This will help to keep them healthy and prevent them from becoming overgrown.

With a little care and attention, your aquarium plants will thrive and add beauty to your aquarium for many years to come.