As you walk past your aquarium, something compels you to stop and look at it. Though the fish look happy, the tank itself seems rather bland. Determined to change this, you set off to the nearest pet store to find aquatic flora for your tank.
Summary
As we tested a number of different products, we found that Dwarf Water Lettuce was the best floating plant for the top of your freshwater fish tank. The runner-up in the contest of the best floating plants for your aquarium was Anacharis as it’s perfect for beginners.
In this article, we also take a look at the following options:
- Brazilian Pennywort
- Rotala Indica
- Ludwigia Repens
Why you can trust us & how we picked
We bought and evaluated all the floating plants we recommend on this page, which is why you can trust us. We also picked different types of plants for there to be something for everyone.
Continue reading
Before you know it, you’re wading through a forest of hornwort and java moss. How do you know which one is the right for you? This article will help you find the best floating plants for the top of your freshwater fish tank and aquarium.
Table of Contents
- Why you can trust us & how we picked
- 14 best types of floating aquarium plants
- Factors to consider
- Duckweed vs. Frogbit
- Artificial vs. live
- How much do floating plants cost?
- Final Thoughts
14 best types of floating aquarium plants
Now that you know what benefits they can bring, it’s time to look at your options. Below, we’ve listed the best 14 types of floating aquarium plants. All of these options are easy to take care of, even if you’re new to this hobby.
Dwarf Water Lettuce
Resembling a floating flower, the dwarf water lettuce is one of our favorite plants on this list. Its humble leaves will certainly spruce up your aquarium.
Although it has big leaves, they’re easy to trim. If you trim them regularly, you won’t have to worry about the lack of sunlight in your tank.
Due to its size, we don’t recommend it for freshwater tanks under 30 gallons. At such low volumes, it might not develop properly.
Pros
- The Dwarf Water Lettuce we received looked really great and healthy.
Cons
- Make sure you don’t have a snail problem before buying them.
[amazon box=”B07KWTYVL7″ title=”Dwarf Water Lettuce ” description=”Get some Dwarf Water Lettuce in your tank.”]
Water Wisteria
Water wisteria can grow both in the soil and at the surface.
Its fern-like leaves give it an exotic appearance. With the right lighting, it can look breathtaking. Apart from its aesthetic appeal, it’s also a perfect hiding spot for your fish.
Water wisteria tends to grow rapidly in optimal conditions. Make sure you keep it in check. Otherwise, it might overgrow your tank.
Some fish species need more light than others. If you own any fish that thrive in light, you’ll need to pay extra attention to the growth of this plant.
Pros
- The ones we received were growing.
- Detailed information was included, which was great.
Cons
- There were reported snails included in the plants from some other buyers.
[amazon box=”B00TGAVDYM” title=”Water Wisteria” description=”Get Water Wisteria that’s alive.”]
Anacharis
Anacharis is the perfect surface plant for beginners. Since it tolerates a wide range of conditions, it’s easy to maintain.
Unlike most plants, Anacharis doesn’t need much sunlight. It makes it an excellent choice if your fish prefer the shade. It isn’t very particular about water temperature either, meaning you can never go wrong with it.
Anacharis is also great for oxygenating water, making it beneficial for every aquarium. It also provides a healthy snack for your fish.
It can grow to large proportions, despite being grazed on. Make sure your aquarium is appropriately large for it.
Pros
- The delivery we received was fairly small, but they seem to be growing.
- The plant was in good condition.
Cons
- Some buyers have had mixed experiences with the deliveries.
[amazon box=”B01N7IBJSA” title=”Mainam Anacharis Elodea Densa” description=”Your fish will love them.”]
Brazilian Pennywort
Brazilian Pennywort can transform the surface of your freshwater aquarium into a meadow. It has many round leaves which are spaced slightly apart from each other. Thanks to these gaps, light can still enter your tank.
Brazilian Pennywort is very sensitive to light. The more it receives, the faster it grows. Keep this in mind if you wish to regulate its growth.
However, some fish might struggle to cohabitate with it, especially if they need surface air. If you own one, consider getting other options from our list.
Pros
- When we ordered a second time, the delivery was much better.
- They’re also easy to grow.
Cons
- The plant we received was struggling a bit.
[amazon box=”B074XKBZY4″ title=”Mainam ” description=”Are you ready to give it a try? “]
Rotala Indica
Rotala Indica is a beautiful surface plant for your freshwater aquarium. Each stem is speckled with leaves from bottom to top. With enough such stems, it can give your aquarium a forest-like appearance. Your fish will love the shelter it provides.
It stands apart from other plants are its red-and-green leaves. Even in light movement, it can provide a wonderful display of contrast.
Though the stems are a little sensitive to trimming, you shouldn’t struggle with maintaining this plant.
Pros
- They started growing after being planted.
Cons
- There were lots of dead leaves in the delivery we received.
[amazon box=”B01DSV4D32″ title=”Rotala Indica ” description=”They’re bright and green.”]
Ludwigia Repens
Much like Rotala Indica, Ludwigia Repens can create a jungle on the surface. It has green leaves that turn red as they near the top. It will certainly make your tank much more attractive.
Not only is it breathtaking, but easy to maintain too. Ludwigia Repens isn’t very demanding, and even beginners will find it easy to work with.
The only maintenance it needs is trimming. The plant also likes sunlight, so make sure you don’t keep your tank in the dark corners.
Pros
- The bundle we received looked very healthy.
Cons
- The information insert wasn’t fantastic.
[amazon box=”B01FZ08M6I” title=”Ludwigia Repens” description=”They’re fast-growing.”]
Water Sprite
Water sprite is well-renowned in the fishkeeping community. It’s essentially become the most iconic floating plant.
But while it is commonly used, it has a unique appearance. It has tall stems that split into smaller ones and a lot of tiny leaves. It creates a dense thicket that’s beautiful and good for your fish.
Many fish will seek refuge between the stem of water sprite. It can reduce their stress level.
Like most options on our list, water sprite isn’t very demanding. It’s sturdy and resilient, though this might sometimes be a double-edged sword. Since it grows rapidly, you’ll need to trim it often. Otherwise, it can take over the aquarium.
Pros
- The plants were in pretty good condition when they showed up.
Cons
- The plants lacked labels when we received them.
[amazon box=”B0914S2HH5″ title=”6 Green Live Aquarium Plants Bundle ” description=”You’ll get a good variety here.”]
Cabomba
You can recognize Cabomba by its unique, pine-like look. Its bushy leaves provide a great hiding spot for small fish. If you own such fish, they’ll certainly appreciate it.
Cabomba is the least demanding plant on our list. It doesn’t require much sunlight and can grow in many different temperatures.
Pros
- We were very pleased with the delivery.
- Customer support was great.
Cons
- We expected to receive a bit more.
[amazon box=”B089NB23ZT” title=”Green Cabomba” description=”Your fish deserve it.”]
Amazon Frogbit
Amazon Frogbit resembles a tiny waterlily. Thus, it’s no surprise why it’s so popular. Its stems float just beneath the surface, giving it a unique look.
This plant thrives in almost any condition. And the best part? It doesn’t even require much trimming. Amazon Frogbit grows moderately fast, meaning it seldom becomes an issue.
All told, it’s a great option for beginners or people who don’t have much time.
But be mindful of its wide leaves. If you use too many of them, they will block all sunlight. Some fish might not like murky environments. In that case, consider opting for other live fish tank plants.
Pros
- The condition of the plant was great.
- They looked green and healthy.
Cons
- They’re not always available on Amazon.
[amazon box=”B018YG764Y” title=”Amazon Frogbit ” description=”Amazon Frogbit is popular.”]
Duckweed
Duckweed resembles a thousand miniature lily pads covering the surface of your aquarium. Sturdy and durable, it isn’t very picky about its environment.
However, this durability might work against you. Because it grows so rapidly, it can quickly take over the surface. Once it does, it can block all light. Removing it isn’t easy either since it tends to regrow.
But if your fish doesn’t need much light, you should try it. It will give your tank a very natural look.
Pros
- We received a lot more than we thought.
Cons
- We saw some snail shells in the order we received, so beware before transferring them to your tank.
[amazon box=”B073XSY7FX” title=”Duckweed ” description=”Duckweed is also popular.”]
Red Root Floater
The red root floater looks like something between a waterlily and a bean pod. However, we mention it for its unique red color.
The leaves will slowly turn red if it gets a lot of sunlight. It will give your aquarium a neat tropical look. Alternatively, you can keep them under moderate light if you want them to stay green.
This South American plant does well in many environments. Once you introduce it into your aquarium, it will keep growing with little effort on your part.
The stems are always red and look utterly mesmerizing from below.
Pros
- Very pleased with the condition of the plants we received.
- They were well-packaged
- Pretty and healthy.
Cons
- The order missed a couple compared to the amount we ordered.
[amazon box=”B08BKY4TX2″ title=”Red Root Floaters” description=”Red Root Floaters will look great at the top of your tank.”]
Java Moss
Contrary to popular belief, java moss doesn’t need to be planted. As long as it is anchored to something, it can float too. A bit of cork is excellent for this task.
Java moss resembles an underwater bush. It opens a whole new world of creative possibilities. One of our favorite ones is attaching it to a piece of wood. This way, you can create your very own underwater bonsai!
When it comes to maintenance, java moss doesn’t disappoint. It tolerates a wide range of conditions. It won’t mind the presence of other live fish tank plants, either.
Pros
- The plants looked healthy.
Cons
- We chose to quarantine the plants as the delivery came with critters.
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Hornwort
Hornwort is an exceptionally beautiful plant for your aquarium. Additionally, its bushy leaves offer refuge to many small fish species.
It doesn’t require much care. Hornwort is very durable and fast-growing. It also tolerates other plant species well.
However, make sure it doesn’t grow out of control. The bushy leaves can get stuck in filters and damage your expensive equipment. To avoid this, you’ll need to trim it regularly.
Pros
- The plant grows really fast.
Cons
- Some people may think it’s too invasive in their tanks.
[amazon box=”B081FLV9LX” title=”Hornwort ” description=”It’s very affordable.”]
Water spangles
Water spangles are a species of floating fern. It resembles a fuzzy waterlily.
This plant adapts to most environments. Because it’s naturally resilient, you won’t need to spend much energy on maintaining it.
Apart from their beautiful leaves, water spangles have other useful qualities. Its metabolism allows it to filter heavy metals from the water. These metals can be difficult to manage otherwise, so having water spangles in your tank is a big help.
The leaves are also a good spawning ground for some fish species. They provide shelter as well.
Pros
- Our order contained a lot more water spangles than we ordered.
- This seller beat other sellers we ordered from.
- They might be better earlier in the season.
Cons
- Beware that the delivery might come with unwanted hitchhikers.
[amazon box=”B01BBH27BU” title=”Water Spangles” description=”It’s great for beginners.”]
Factors to consider
Though they might seem like bits of floating mulch to you, aquatic plants provide several benefits to your aquarium. From filtering the water to providing shelter to your fish, they’re certainly worth the money.
Here are factors to consider when you’re buying floating plants for your aquarium.
Food source for fish
Floating plants are a great source of nutrients. Thus, it’s no surprise that fish like to nibble them. Combined with conventional fish food, they can greatly enrich their diet.
Of course, it depends on the type of fish you own. While most won’t raze your flora to the ground, some can. Therefore, you should always check if your fish are compatible with your new plant.
Easy to keep
Unlike their house counterparts, live aquatic plants don’t require much care. Once you set them into your aquarium, you won’t have to do much more.
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you’ll manage. They are sturdy and unlikely to die.
Low maintenance means more time on your hands. You can spend this valuable time on your fish or other hobbies!
Habitat
A fish tank should simulate the natural habitat of your fish. And surface plants are a vital part of this habitat.
Many species like to hide in their stems and leaves, particularly the smaller ones. Thus, aquatic flora can make your fish feel more at home.
Ecosystem stability
Your aquarium can be thought of as a tiny aquatic ecosystem. Aquatic flora can make this ecosystem as lifelike as possible.
Like every green plant, they produce vital oxygen. To this day, they remain the best form of oxygenation for aquariums.
Nitrate levels can also be a problematic concern. Luckily, aquatic plants can help you in this department too.
Moreover, they help filter the water and keep the organic waste to a minimum.
With all these benefits combined, they make fishkeeping a hundred times easier.
Sunlight filters
Floating plants can limit the amount of sunlight that enters your freshwater aquarium. Certain fish species prefer the shade. While you can achieve this in other ways, floating flora is the most authentic option.
But be careful not to overdo it. Other types of fish might thrive in sunlight. Before you decide to organize your tank, make sure you know what your fish need.
Once you find the perfect amount of shade for your aquarium, it will greatly lower the stress levels of its scaly inhabitants.
Aesthetic value
Aquariums aren’t just a habitat for your fish – they’re also a part of your indoor décor. And an empty fish tank can certainly seem bland. By adding flora to it, you’ll make it much livelier.
We’ve even included where we bought them from.
Duckweed vs. Frogbit
Though they might appear similar, duckweed and Frogbit are very different. And it’s not just the size. Each one is suitable for different circumstances. Below, we will compare the key aspects of these two aquatic plants.
Growth Rate
Although both of them grow relatively fast, duckweed easily outperforms Frogbit. This sturdy plant grows so fast that it can easily become a problem.
We advise against using duckweed in smaller freshwater tanks. Since it grows so fast, it can quickly become a nuisance.
Maintenance
Due to its rapid growth rate, duckweed is much harder to manage. Left unchecked, it can cover the surface of your tank and deprive it of all light. Even worse, the tiny leaves can get caught in filters.
On the other hand, Amazon frogbit doesn’t require much attention. It won’t become a problem if you check it regularly.
Lighting requirements
Duckweed isn’t very particular about the amount of sunlight it gets. However, Frogbit requires a lot of light during the day to thrive. Without it, it may even die.
Aesthetic appeal
We find Frogbit much more appealing than duckweed. The main reason is the noticeable leaves. Furthermore, Frogbit blooms, while duckweed doesn’t.
Artificial vs. live
Artificial – benefits & drawbackas
Although live floating plants require little maintenance, artificial ones require none. Once you place them into your tank, they won’t ever wither or grow out of control. To maintain them, you just need to rinse them every once in a while.
The fake models are also much cheaper. And we don’t just mean their original price. Since they don’t need care, you won’t have to buy fertilizers and other tools.
Lastly, they provide you with more options. You’ll love artificial plants if you like fancy or even bizarre patterns. While mother nature has its limits, the artistic expression doesn’t.
Since they’re made mostly from plastic, artificial ‘flora’ seldom looks convincing. Moreover, it doesn’t contribute to the ecosystem in any way.
Live – benefits
Besides looking much more natural, live aquatic plants greatly benefit the ecosystem.
They help oxygenate the water. At the same time, they suck up toxins such as nitrates and heavy metals from the water. By doing so, they regulate the growth of algae.
Since they grow and change constantly, they give your aquarium a much more authentic look.
Live – drawbacks
Certain types grow rapidly. Thus, you’ll have to trim them regularly to keep your aquarium balanced.
Moreover, they’re a bit more expensive than fake ones.
How much do floating plants cost?
On average, these plants cost between $2 to $3 each, but some exotic and rare species sell for up to $20. Keep in mind that they require constant maintenance, and you will have to spend money every month to take care of them. But your fish will surely be grateful to be able to swim in a natural habitat.
Final Thoughts
You have several options when choosing the best floating plants for the top of your freshwater fish tank or aquarium. All surface plants are beneficial for your fish. Not only are they the best source of oxygenation, but they’re also great filters for toxins.
To choose the right one for you, you need to understand the needs of your fish. Certain plants grow rapidly and can obscure the surface. Other types are much easier to maintain.
But no matter which one you choose from our list, you will love it.
