Fast-growing aquarium plants are great for beginner aquarists as they are unpretentious, hardy, and able to survive in a variety of temperatures. Most species do not require special care and do not need fertilization. They have enough light of medium intensity, they do not need additional organic and mineral fertilizers and CO2 supply.
Fast-growing aquarium plants also belong to the unpretentious species, which are well known and popular with aquarists.
Table of Contents
Fast Growing Aquarium Plants For Beginners
EGERIA LEAFY
Egeria is a fast-growing plant suitable for aquariums of all sizes. It multiplies easily without the use of expensive care products and does not need special living conditions. Egeria is of different types (a total of 6 are distinguished), the most popular among aquarists is the toothed egeria.
The main feature of egeria is resistance to high temperatures. But despite this, one should be wary of sudden changes in temperature and changes in the chemical composition of water, since this may cause the plant to die. To create favorable conditions, it is necessary to maintain a temperature not higher than 24 ° C; for enhanced growth, good lighting, freshwater of moderate hardness, and a lower temperature (up to 12 ° C) are desirable.
Leafy Egeria is an unassuming cold-water plant with very limited winter hardiness.
Cabomba caroliniana
The Cabomba is undemanding to the conditions of detention, however, when planting it, it is worth considering some features. Unlike egeria, Cabomba needs soft water (no higher than 6 ° C) and grows best when temperatures reach 23-27 ° C. Good lighting is preferable, artificial light is used if there is a lack of it.
The Cabomba is planted in coarse sand, pressing the stem at the bottom with a stone. When Cabomba propagates, a long shoot is cut into pieces, after which the cuttings are planted so that the stones press down several leaves of the plant.
The plant does not tolerate transplants, so it is better to immediately plant it in a permanent place.
In spring, Cabomba can even bloom, but flower seeds are not suitable for propagation.
JAPANESE CORE
The core, or Cardamine, is widespread in Japan and China, in its natural environment it is most often found in swampy areas. It is recommended to plant it in the aquarium in the center or on the sides. Cardamine can withstand high temperatures, but the most intense growth occurs at + 15 … + 25 ° C. The optimum water hardness is 3-10ºZh. The plant grows to a fairly large size, so it is best to plant it in an aquarium with a volume of at least 80 liters.
It is not recommended to plant the core in aquariums with snails that feed on plants – its appearance suffers from this. Cardamine is picky about lighting, its intensity should be at least 0.7 W, and the duration of daylight hours should be up to 12 hours. Propagated by side shoots, which are broken off and planted in the ground. Reproduction by seeds is also possible, which are germinated in a container separate from the aquarium.
GETERANTERA HOLLY
Geterantera is a long-stemmed plant with light green narrow leaves. Although the leaves can be up to 50 cm long, the geterantera is more suitable for a small aquarium with a low water level. It is grown mainly in moderately warm water, at temperatures below 20 ° C, growth slows down.
The geterantera holly is a delicate aquatic plant with long stems.
To improve growth, soft, slightly acidic water is suitable, you can also add a little peat. Bright lighting is desirable, both natural and artificial. Since the main food of the geteranteer comes from water, any soil will do.
If all the necessary conditions are met, it grows evenly throughout the year. Propagated mainly by cuttings.
LIMNOPHILA AQUATIC
Limnophila is a fast-growing plant with an erect stem, reaching a height of 50 cm. Limnophila is planted in one row along the wall of the aquarium or in bunches in different corners. The plant is sensitive to temperature – the water should not be warmer than 24-28 ° C. It is important to filter thoroughly and change the water weekly.
Limnophila requires bright lighting, the duration of daylight hours should be 10-13 hours. The plant is able to survive in low light, but this deteriorates its appearance. Coarse sand or small pebbles are best suited as soil.
Lymnophila is both an excellent refuge for fry and a source of oxygen. To improve growth, limnophila is fed with root or liquid fertilizers and additionally supplied with CO2. Propagated by planting long stems in the ground.
Lymnophila aquatic is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful long-stemmed aquarium plants.
MEXICAN OAK VARIEGATED
An ornamental plant not found in nature. The oak tree is notable for its light streaks on the leaves, which are formed due to a lack of chlorophyll. With proper care, it reaches a height of 40 to 70 cm, so the volume of the aquarium should be at least 100 liters. It is undemanding to water temperature, its parameters vary from 18 to 30 ° С.
The Mexican oak can grow both in the soil and in the water column, but this makes the leaves of the plant smaller. It is necessary to periodically trim the stems, leaving no more than 25 cm.
Fast Growing Aquarium Vegetation Plants For Beginners
Natural vegetation acts as a source of oxygen for fish, consuming nitrogen compounds, and serves as a shelter for fry and a substrate for spawning. Keep vegetation only in aquariums that do not have large fish, as they destroy the plants.
It is easiest for a beginner to grow unpretentious species that are easy to care for and do not require special conditions of detention:
- vallisneria;
- mosses;
- hornwort;
- riccia and duckweed;
- hygrophils.
The best aquarium plants for beginners.
VALLISNERIA
Vallisneria is a beautiful plant with long, ribbon-like leaves. In total, there are about 14 different types of Vallisneria, the main ones being the giant, tiger, American and Vallisneria nana. The plant is unpretentious in care, grows quickly and is undemanding to the composition of the soil. Vallisneria can take root even in a thin layer of soil, however, the preferred thickness is 3-4 cm.
It is important to periodically feed to avoid nutrient deficiencies, it is advisable to renew the water weekly. The temperature should not be lower than 20-25 ° C, otherwise the growth of the plant slows down or stops. For the plant to thrive, it needs to maintain a pH of 5-7 and provide bright lighting. Vallisneria needs periodic pruning to control size.
ALL KINDS OF MOSSES
Mosses are decorative aquarium plants that aquarists avoid breeding due to lack of information on their maintenance and care.
Mosses differ from other aquarium plants – they do not have a root system, but they have genitals for reproduction.
Mosses grow slowly, adapt perfectly to any habitat and belong to unpretentious plants. Mosses are of three types: anthocerot, liverwort, and leafy. All three species require optimal water parameters (temperature from 22 to 28 ° C), bright lighting and a clean aquarium. To achieve the required sterility, it is important to regularly change up to 50% of the water.
The most common types of mosses are Javanese moss (or Java moss), phoenix, riccardia, riccia.
HORNWORT
It belongs to the most unpretentious plants to care for, it can live even in cold and dimly lit water. Hornwort has no root system, so it is fixed with stones or snags using stem processes.
Hornwort cleans the aquatic environment from harmful impurities.
Under favorable conditions, it grows quickly enough, in a month its stems can lengthen by 1 m.
Hornwort is a shade-loving plant , it does not need a lot of light, it can even die in direct sunlight, so moderate diffused lighting is preferable.
Reproduces in a vegetative way. To do this, the overgrown stem is cut into cuttings 10-15 cm long. The lower part of the stem is fixed in the ground or left in water.
RICCIA AND DUCKWEED
They belong to floating plants that are widespread in their natural environment and are only demanding on the brightness of lighting. Riccia is a liver moss that provides shelter for small fish. Needs constant pruning of overgrown branches, otherwise it may begin to oppress other plants.
Duckweed grows on the surface of the water. In aquariums, it is contained in order to feed herbivorous fish and as a utilizer of their waste products. If the duckweed is allowed to grow, it forms a dense living carpet, making it impossible to fully supply light and air. To avoid this, it is necessary to constantly remove excess vegetation.
HYGROPHILES
They are beautiful long-stemmed plants most suitable for keeping in a tropical aquarium. Most often, the hygrophilus is planted near the side walls or in the back of the aquarium. It grows throughout the year and needs a tall aquarium as it reaches the surface of the water and goes out into the air.
The most suitable water temperature is 22-26 ° C, however, hygrophils do well in warmer water. Medium water hardness is preferable, otherwise the leaves of the plant are quickly destroyed. It is advisable to regularly (once a week) renew the water. Gygrophila is demanding on lighting – it should be bright, otherwise, the leaves become yellowish and shrink.
Gigrofila is an excellent filter for aquariums.
The plant has a highly developed root system, and it receives its main nutrition from the soil, therefore, when choosing it, you should opt for a more nutritious one. When planting, you can add a little clay and peat to it.
AQUARIUM PLANTS THAT ARE NOT DEMANDING ON THE GROUND OR GROW WITHOUT IT AT ALL
There are aquarium plants that can grow and multiply both in the ground and without it, floating freely in the water column. For the full development of these plants, you need to thoroughly filter and regularly change the water, since they do not tolerate leaf contamination poorly. Temperature fluctuations should be avoided. Such plants include globular cladophora, Guadalupe nayas, and some other algae and mosses.
The globular cladophora aquarium needs an aquarium with cold water, the hardness of which reaches 7 ° Zh, and the temperature does not exceed 22 ° C. In warm water, it begins to grow rapidly and disintegrates after a few months. In order to maintain a healthy appearance of the plant, it is important to change the water in the aquarium on time, to maintain moderate lighting.
Guadalupe Nayas has a root system but grows well both rooted and floating freely. Over time, it turns into a dense bush that serves as a home for small fish.
