Are you looking for a way to spruce up your Betta fish tank?
One of the easiest ways to improve your Betta tank is to add live plants.
Live plants will help recreate your Betta’s natural environment, stabilize the water parameters, control algae, and even give your Betta a fun place to hide and rest.
When correctly set up and maintained, live plants will ensure your Betta will live a long, healthy, and stress-free life for years to come.
If you are unsure which plants would best suit your Betta, this guide will show you the best live plants for Betta fish, along with care, planting, and maintenance instructions for each plant.
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Are Live Plants Good For Betta Fish?
Short answer. Yes! Most definitely.
To help you understand why you may want to add live plants to your tank, we have highlighted 6 of the most significant benefits of using live plants in your Betta tank.
The 6 BIG Benefits Of Using Live Plants
1. Natural
Using Live plants will add a natural feel to your tank that your Betta will love.
Live plants will also provide a more natural environment for your Betta fish, helping them feel more secure and comfortable in their surroundings.
You won’t have to worry about your Betta damaging his beautiful fins as with fake plants.
2. Great Looking:
No matter how good plastic or silk plants may look, there is no substitute for live plants. Live plants will grow and spread, giving your Betta tank an impressive natural look.
3. Control Algae
Live plants can also help keep algae levels down by utilizing excess nutrients in the tank.
4. Added Filtration
In addition to helping prevent algae, most live plants help eliminate harmful toxins from your tank, keeping your Betta healthy and happy.
5. Water Stability
Live Plants will feed on the ammonia and nitrites produced by your fish and its waste, helping keep the water clean.
Also, some live plants can help stabilize your water’s PH levels; be sure you know what effect each plant can have on your water parameters.
6. Entertainment
Betta fish love to hide and rest on live plants and sometimes even nibble on them. However, they will not eat plants regularly because they are carnivores.
5 Drawbacks To Keeping Betta Fish And Live Plants
Although there are many benefits to keeping live plants, there are also a few drawbacks. Below we have compiled a few to consider.
1. Extra Maintenance
If unkept, live plants could die off and decay, and dead plants will slowly release ammonia and become toxic. The trick here is to ensure you keep a regular maintenance schedule that includes caring for your plants.
2. Lighting Requirements
Depending on the plant you decide to get, you may need a specific light range.
3. Fertilizers
Some plants need specific nutrients, CO2, and substrate to flourish. Research each plant before adding it to your Betta’s tank.
4. Growth
Some plants can grow fast and will quickly take over your Betta tank. Again, be sure to keep a regular maintenance schedule.
5. Disease
Some plants could transfer disease, bacteria, and unexpected little friends, like snails if not treated. Be sure to quarantine any live plants before you add them to your tank.
So What Plants Are Good For Betta Fish?
Even with drawbacks, many plants are great for Betta tanks. To help you decide which live plant is best for your Betta, we included care instructions next to each plant description below.
We also tried only to include live plants that would be considered low maintenance, hardy, and don’t require special lighting or fertilizer.
You can also check out this list featuring 12 easy Betta fish plants.
Best Betta Fish Plants For Your Aquarium
1. The Java Fern
The Java Fern is a tremendous live plant for Betta fish; it’s super easy to grow and doesn’t require any special lighting, substrate, fertilizer, or Co2. A full-grown Java Fern can be up to 13″(inches) high and 6″(inches) wide.
The Java Fern will do best in a tank that is at least 10 gallons in size, which is an excellent size tank for your Betta, along with a few tank mates.
Also, the temperature range and PH levels for the Java Fern are almost identical to the ideal water conditions for Betta fish.
There are four main varieties of Java Fern, they are;
- Narrow-leaf
- Needle leaf
- Window
- Lance leaf
Care Instructions:
Because they are so easy to care for, Java Fern can be placed in most tanks without special lighting requirements.
However, you can have too much light. If the leaves become brown or almost transparent, your lighting levels may be too high.
Also, since they don’t have roots, they acquire nutrients from the water, so you may need to add some fertilizer after your water changes. Try not to use fertilizer tabs since they don’t have roots.
Planting Instructions:
Java fern can be planted almost anywhere. They can be placed on decor, driftwood, rock, and substrate. However, be sure not to bury them in the substrate as they pull most nutrients directly from the water.
To attach Java Fern, use a color-matched thread, zip tie, or fish line for best results. Some people use rubber bands which are very visible and look horrible.
Maintenance
Maintaining Java Fern is easy; keep up on weekly checks and trim any dead or discolored leaves. Unfortunately, because Java Fern is so hardy, it’s rather difficult to kill them.
Java Fern Quick Reference:
Care Level: Super Easy
Temperature Range: 60-83 °F/15-28 °C
PH Range: 6-7.5
Min Tank Size: 10 Gallon
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2. Most Anubias Species
The Anubias is another widespread plant species that works well with Betta fish. It doesn’t need any special attention and has lovely big leaves that Betta fish love to play, hide and rest in.
The Anubias is typically a slow-growing plant and seems almost still in your tank as its leaves are thick, durable, and leather-like.
Care Instructions:
Anubias is a great betta fish plant that’s easy to care for, making it great for small tanks. In addition, it does well in water parameters that suit most freshwater tanks.
Additionally, Anubias doesn’t need special lighting and can thrive in most lighting ranges.
Planting Instructions:
Anubias can be planted in gravel, substrate, decor, driftwood, or rocks. However, unlike Java Fern, Anubias will do best if planted in a nutrient-rich substrate.
Try to also plant your Anubias in an area that doesn’t get too much light. Because the leaves are thick, durable, and don’t move, they become an excellent place for algae to grow.
Maintenance:
Regular plant maintenance, like trimming dead leaves, is recommended.
But, depending on your lighting and the substrate, Anubias can proliferate, and you may want to cut the plant into two and replant it (Propagate).
Anubias Quick Reference:
Care Level: Easy
Temperature Range: 71.5-83 °F/22-28 °C
PH Range: 6-8
Min Tank Size: Any tank
Where to plant: Mid/Background
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Marimo Balls – **Update 2021 Don’t Buy These**
Marimo Balls are giant balls of green algae that look like delicate plants when placed in water. Most Marimo Balls will be 2-5″(Inches) around.
Don’t worry; your Marimo Ball won’t spread or turn your Betta’s water green.
Marimo Balls can absorb pollutants, provide oxygen, and prevent algae growth. So even though Marimo Balls aren’t plants, they’re an excellent option for a live plant in your betta fish tank.
Care Instructions:
Marimo balls grow slowly and almost require no care at all. Please place them in your aquarium and let them float or sink.
Planting Instructions:
Marimo Balls don’t need to be planted; fasten them to some decor or let them float and eventually, they will fill with water, sink and settle in your tank.
Maintenance:
If any debris, dead, or browning occurs on your Marimo Ball, tank it out of the tank and give it a good squeeze.
Marimo Balls Quick Reference:
Care Level: Super Easy
Temperature Range: 72-78 °F/22-25 °C
PH Range: 6-8
Min Tank Size: Any tank
Where to plant: Foreground
Find the Perfect Betta Tank Mates and Create a Harmonious Aquarium Community. Dive into our expert advice and discover compatible companions for your betta fish. Explore a variety of peaceful tank mates and learn how to maintain a happy and balanced aquatic ecosystem!
