Aquarium Plant Enclyclopedia

This Aquarium Plant Encyclopedia is built on applied plant science.

Our evaluations draw from horticultural literature, aquatic plant research, and direct laboratory experience studying plant physiology, carbon limitation, nutrient uptake, and the biological causes of plant failure. That scientific foundation shapes how we assess each species — not just how it looks, but how it performs under real aquarium conditions.

Each entry provides clear, practical guidance on difficulty, growth rate, size, placement, lighting, water parameters, and CO₂ requirements. Whether a plant thrives in low-tech setups or responds dramatically to CO₂ injection and higher light is explained in straightforward terms.

But this is not an academic database. It’s written for aquarists.

The goal is to help you choose plants that match your system, avoid common pitfalls, and build healthier, more stable planted freshwater aquariums. Use the filters to explore by difficulty, growth habit, or CO₂ needs — and select species that fit your goals, not just your aesthetic.

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Cryptocoryne beckettii ‘Petchii’

Cryptocoryne beckettii ‘Petchii’ is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. It adapts well with or without CO₂.

Cryptocoryne wendtii ‘red’

Cryptocoryne wendtii ‘red’ brings standout color to a planted tank while staying practical to grow, making it a fun choice for aquascapes that need a bright accent. It adapts well with or without CO₂.

Crytocoryne lucens

Green Crypt, Water Trumpet, Lucens Crypt

Cryptocoryne lucens is a classic, beautiful, easy, and highly adaptable aquarium plant well-suited to setups with or without CO2.

Eriocaulon 'Broadleaf'

Eriocaulon 'Broadleaf' is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. CO₂ really helps it shine and grow steadily.

Eriocaulon Hainan Island

Eriocaulon Hainan Island is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. CO₂ really helps it shine and grow steadily.

Eriocaulon King Crimson

Eriocaulon King Crimson brings standout color to a planted tank while staying practical to grow, making it a fun choice for aquascapes that need a bright accent. CO₂ really helps it shine and grow steadily.

Glossostigma elatinoides

Glosso

Glossostigma elatinoides is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. CO₂ really helps it shine and grow steadily.

Gratiola viscidula

Gratiola viscidula is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. It adapts well with or without CO₂.

Helanthium tenellum

Echinodorus tenellus

Helanthium tenellum is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. It adapts well with or without CO₂.

Hemianthus callitrichoides

HC Cuba, Dwarf Baby Tears

Hemianthus callitrichoides is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. CO₂ really helps it shine and grow steadily.

Cryptocoryne crispatula var. Tonkinensis

Cryptocoryne crispatula var. Tonkinensis is a classic, adaptable plant that’s easy to fit into many setups, offering reliable growth and a clean, natural look. It adapts well with or without CO₂.

Cryptocoryne willisii

Cryptocoryne willisii is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. It adapts well with or without CO₂.

Eleocharis acicularis ‘mini’

Dwarf Hairgrass

Eleocharis acicularis ‘mini’ is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. CO₂ really helps it shine and grow steadily.

Eriocaulon 'Udonthani'

Eriocaulon 'Udonthani' brings standout color to a planted tank while staying practical to grow, making it a fun choice for aquascapes that need a bright accent. It adapts well with or without CO₂.

Eriocaulon Hainan Island

Eriocaulon Hainan Island - Single Plant is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. CO₂ really helps it shine and grow steadily.

Eriocaulon Ratnigiricum

Eriocaulon Ratnigiricum brings standout color to a planted tank while staying practical to grow, making it a fun choice for aquascapes that need a bright accent. CO₂ really helps it shine and grow steadily.

Gratiola viscidula

Short’s Hedgehyssop, Hedge Hyssop, Small Water Speedwell, Sticky Hedgehyssop

A unique native plant with triangular leaves, capable of growing swirly carpets and attached to hardscape like moss.

Helanthium 'Quadricostatus'

Dwarf Sword Plant

Helanthium 'Quadricostatus' is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. It adapts well with or without CO₂.

Helanthium tenellum 'Green'

Echinodorus tenellus 'Green'

Helanthium tenellum 'Green' is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. It adapts well with or without CO₂.

Hemianthus micranthemoides

Baby Tears, Pearl Grass, Pearl Weed

Hemianthus micranthemoides is a great foreground option that can form tidy low growth and add texture, especially when given stable conditions and patience. It adapts well with or without CO₂.