Best Aquarium Plants for Beginners: 10 Easy Plants That Won't Die
Starting a planted tank feels risky. You're worried the plants will melt, turn brown, or just die for no reason. I get it.
But here's the thing: some plants are nearly impossible to kill. They tolerate low light, don't need fancy CO2 systems, and forgive beginner mistakes. These are the plants you want.
This guide covers 10 beginner-friendly aquarium plants that actually work. Most of them I've kept in tanks with nothing but a basic LED light and occasional fertilizer. Some survived weeks of neglect. A few even thrived.
What Makes a Plant "Beginner-Friendly"?
Before we get into the list, here's what I look for:
- Low light tolerance - Works with basic aquarium lights
- No CO2 required - Grows without injected carbon dioxide
- Hardy - Survives temperature swings and water parameter changes
- Slow algae growth - Doesn't attract algae easily
- Easy to plant - No complicated attachment methods
If a plant checks these boxes, it's good for beginners.
The 10 Best Beginner Aquarium Plants
1. Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)
This is the best beginner plant. Period.
Java Fern tolerates almost any light level, from dim to bright. It doesn't need substrate—you can attach it to driftwood or rocks with super glue gel, or just let it float. The leaves are thick and tough. Most fish won't eat them.
I've seen Java Fern survive in a bucket with a burned-out bulb for months. It's nearly indestructible.
Care specs:
- Light: Low to medium
- Temperature: 68-82°F
- Growth rate: Slow
- Placement: Mid-ground or attached to decor
One rule: Don't bury the rhizome (the thick stem where leaves grow from). Bury that and it'll rot. Everything else is flexible.
2. Anubias (Multiple species)
Anubias are slow-growing plants with broad, waxy leaves. They look great and handle low light better than almost anything else.
There are several species—Anubias barteri, Anubias nana (dwarf), and Anubias congensis (larger). All of them are easy. Pick the size that fits your tank.
Like Java Fern, you attach Anubias to rocks or driftwood instead of planting it in substrate. The rhizome rule applies here too—keep it exposed.
Anubias leaves are smooth and easy to wipe clean if algae grows on them. That's a huge advantage over plants with fine, delicate leaves.
Care specs:
- Light: Low
- Temperature: 72-82°F
- Growth rate: Very slow
- Placement: Foreground (nana) or mid-ground (barteri/congensis)
The only downside? They grow slowly. If you want fast coverage, you'll need multiple plants.
3. Amazon Sword (Echinodorus grisebachii)
Amazon Swords are classic aquarium plants. They're big, bold, and easy to grow.
This plant needs to be rooted in substrate, unlike Java Fern and Anubias. But once it's in, it's low-maintenance. Amazon Swords are heavy root feeders—they pull nutrients from the substrate, which means you'll want to use root tabs if your substrate doesn't have nutrients.
These plants can get large. A mature Amazon Sword can reach 20+ inches tall. That makes them great for background or centerpiece placement, but not ideal for small tanks.
Care specs:
- Light: Medium to high
- Temperature: 68-82°F
- Growth rate: Moderate to fast
- Placement: Mid-ground to background
Pro tip: When you first plant an Amazon Sword, older leaves might melt. That's normal. New growth will come in adapted to your tank's conditions.
4. Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides)
Water Sprite is a fast-growing plant that works two ways: planted in substrate or floating at the surface.
When planted, it grows upright with feathery leaves. When floating, it spreads across the surface and provides shade for fish that like dimmer light. Either way, it grows quickly and helps control algae by consuming excess nutrients.
The fast growth is a double-edged sword. You'll need to trim it regularly. But if you're dealing with high nitrates or algae, Water Sprite is one of the best natural solutions.
Care specs:
- Light: Low to high
- Temperature: 68-82°F
- Growth rate: Fast
- Placement: Floating or mid-ground
Caution: In high light, Water Sprite can grow so fast it blocks light from plants below. Trim it back when that happens.
5. Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
Java Moss is a versatile plant that grows on anything—driftwood, rocks, filter intakes, you name it.
It doesn't need substrate. Just tie it to decor with fishing line or let it grow wild. Over time, it forms dense, carpet-like mats. Shrimp and small fish love hiding in it.
Java Moss grows slowly in low light and faster in brighter conditions. It's nearly impossible to kill, but it can get messy if you don't trim it.
Care specs:
- Light: Low to high
- Temperature: 59-86°F (very tolerant)
- Growth rate: Slow to moderate
- Placement: Foreground or attached to decor
Bonus: If a piece breaks off, it'll root wherever it lands and keep growing.
6. Cryptocoryne (Crypt species)
Cryptocorynes—or "crypts"—are another low-light favorite. They come in different sizes and colors, from green to reddish-brown.
Crypts are slow growers, which means less trimming. They tolerate a wide range of water parameters and don't mind if you forget to dose fertilizer for a week or two.
One quirk: when you first plant crypts, they might melt. Don't panic. Leave the roots in place. New growth will come back adapted to your tank.
Care specs:
- Light: Low to medium
- Temperature: 72-82°F
- Growth rate: Slow
- Placement: Foreground to mid-ground (depends on species)
Popular species for beginners: Cryptocoryne wendtii (green or brown) and Cryptocoryne parva (smallest).
7. Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
Hornwort is a floating plant (though you can anchor it with weights if you want). It grows fast, looks bushy, and eats up nitrates like crazy.
The downside? It's messy. Hornwort sheds needles constantly. You'll see them floating around the tank or stuck in your filter intake. If that bothers you, skip this one.
But if you're dealing with algae or high nitrates, Hornwort is one of the best plants for the job.
Care specs:
- Light: Low to high
- Temperature: 59-86°F
- Growth rate: Very fast
- Placement: Floating or anchored
Pro tip: Don't plant Hornwort in substrate. It doesn't grow roots, so planting it is pointless. Just let it float or anchor it loosely.
8. Marimo Moss Ball (Aegagropila linnaei)
Marimo moss balls aren't really moss—they're a type of algae. But they're perfect for beginners because they require zero care.
Just drop one in your tank. That's it. They grow slowly, provide hiding spots for shrimp, and help filter the water. You can leave them alone for months.
The only maintenance is an occasional rinse if they get dirty. Squeeze them gently under tap water every few months to remove debris.
Care specs:
- Light: Low
- Temperature: 72-78°F (cooler is better)
- Growth rate: Extremely slow
- Placement: Foreground
Fun fact: Marimo moss balls can live for decades.
9. Vallisneria (Multiple species)
Vallisneria—often called "vals"—are tall, grass-like plants that grow quickly and spread via runners.
They're great for background planting. Once established, vals will send out runners and fill in the back of your tank. They tolerate a wide range of water parameters and don't need CO2.
The only downside is height. Vals can reach 12-24 inches depending on the species. If you have a short tank, they might not fit.
Care specs:
- Light: Low to high
- Temperature: 68-82°F
- Growth rate: Fast
- Placement: Background
Pro tip: Vals don't like liquid carbon additives (like Seachem Excel). If you use those, skip this plant.
10. Dwarf Sagittaria (Sagittaria subulata)
Dwarf Sagittaria is a carpeting plant that spreads via runners. It looks like miniature grass and works great in the foreground.
Unlike some carpeting plants, Dwarf Sag doesn't need high light or CO2. It grows slowly without CO2, but it will still spread and fill in over time.
This plant is perfect if you want a carpet but don't want to deal with complicated CO2 setups.
Care specs:
- Light: Medium
- Temperature: 68-82°F
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Placement: Foreground
Patience required: It takes a few months to establish a full carpet. But once it starts spreading, it fills in nicely.
How to Plant Beginner Aquarium Plants
Rhizome Plants (Java Fern, Anubias, Java Moss)
Don't bury these in substrate. Attach them to driftwood or rocks instead.
Method 1: Super glue gel
- Apply a small bead of super glue gel to your driftwood or rock
- Press the rhizome against the glue for 30 seconds
- Let it air dry for 3 minutes
- Place it in the tank
Method 2: Fishing line
- Tie the plant to the decor with fishing line or thread
- Leave it for 2-3 weeks until roots attach
- Remove the line (optional—it'll break down eventually)
Rooted Plants (Amazon Sword, Crypts, Dwarf Sag, Vals)
Plant these in substrate like normal plants.
- Use aquarium tweezers to make a hole in the substrate
- Insert the roots, leaving the crown (where leaves meet roots) above the substrate
- Pack substrate gently around the roots
- If the plant floats up, weight it down temporarily with a small rock
Floating Plants (Water Sprite, Hornwort)
Just drop them in. They'll float at the surface.
If you want to control where they float, use airline tubing to create a "fence" that keeps them in one area.
Do You Need Fertilizer?
Most of these plants will grow without fertilizer, but they'll grow better with it.
Easy fertilizer routine:
- Dose liquid fertilizer once or twice a week (I use Aquarium Co-Op Easy Green)
- Add root tabs every 3 months for rooted plants like Amazon Swords
Start with half the recommended dose and increase if plants look pale or grow slowly.
Common Beginner Mistakes
1. Burying rhizomes
Java Fern and Anubias will rot if you bury the rhizome. Keep it exposed.
2. Too much light
More light = more algae. Most beginner plants prefer low to medium light. Start with 6-8 hours of light per day and adjust from there.
3. Impatience
Plants take time to establish. Don't pull them out after a week because they look sad. Give them 3-4 weeks.
4. Overfeeding
Excess fish food creates ammonia and nitrates, which fuel algae. Feed your fish sparingly—algae will thank you by not growing.
What About Algae?
Low-light plants grow slowly. That gives algae time to compete.
Here's how to prevent it:
- Start with a small amount of light (6 hours/day) and increase gradually
- Keep a cleanup crew (snails, shrimp, algae-eating fish)
- Don't overfeed your fish
- Do regular water changes (20-30% weekly)
- Add fast-growing plants like Hornwort or Water Sprite to outcompete algae
If algae does grow on Anubias or Java Fern leaves, just wipe them gently with your fingers during water changes.
Final Thoughts
You don't need expensive equipment to grow aquarium plants. Most of the plants on this list will thrive with nothing but a basic LED light and occasional fertilizer.
Start with 2-3 species. See what works in your tank. Once you get comfortable, you can experiment with more challenging plants.
But for now? Stick with the easy ones. Java Fern, Anubias, and Amazon Sword are solid choices. Pick what fits your tank size and go from there.