The aquarium is a beautiful addition to any home, but it can be difficult to keep plants alive in the tank.
It’s frustrating when you put so much time and effort into caring for your fish only to have them die because they don’t have enough oxygen or food.
A solution: plant fast growing plants in your aquarium.
Our guide to fast growing aquarium plants is broken down by ease and speed, and difficulty of care.
1. Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)
Java Fern is one of the easiest plants to grow in an aquarium. This plant does not require light, and it can thrive in a wide range of water conditions. Java Fern grows slowly, but it is a sturdy plant that can withstand moderate levels of neglect.
Java ferns do not require light to grow, making them an ideal plant for aquariums. They can thrive in a wide range of water conditions and grow slowly, but they are a sturdy plant that can withstand moderate levels of neglect.
– Grows up to 1 inches a month
– Easy to care for, can live in low light conditions
– Perfect for beginner aquarists
2. Amazon Sword (Echinodorus bleheri)
The Amazon Sword is a fast growing plant that can reach heights of up to 18 inches. It thrives in bright light conditions and requires regular fertilization. This plant is relatively easy to care for and is perfect for beginners.
The Amazon Sword Plant is an excellent choice for fish aquariums in the public. It’s not a fantastic option for tanks with Oscars, Jack Dempsey, Texas Cichlids, or other rough fish since their leaves may be easily damaged. Plecostomans are also not a good pick.
Please Note on Goldfish: Although goldfish can be harmful to sword plants, they may not be the best choice for a Goldfish tank. That said, when I kept Goldfish, I discovered that having an sword plant or two in the tank was beneficial to the fish since they would occasionally pick at it and consume the leaves as if they were greens. I did not have any issues with my fish damaging the plant or consuming too much of it, and the plant continued to grow well.
- Growth Rate slow and steady to begin with.
- Good for beginners, but mind the goldfish!
3. Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
One of the first land plants, Hornwort is a popular freshwater aquarium plant. It’s one of the first terrestrial plants to thrive. This is possibly the simplest freshwater plant to cultivate and it can tolerate wide ranges of water conditions, making it great for novices. It has a maximum height of 10 feet and grows quickly. You should keep an eye on it as it can become invasive.
– Grows up to 2 inches a week
– Very easy care, can live in low light conditions
– Perfect for beginner aquarists
4. Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
Water Wisteria is a beautiful plant that grows
– Grows up to 5 inches a week
– Easy to care for, can live in low light conditions
– Perfect for beginner
3. Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
Water Wisteria is a fast growing plant that can reach heights of up to 18 inches. It thrives in bright light conditions and requires regular fertilization. This plant is relatively easy to care for, but it is not suitable for beginner aquarists.
– Rapid growth: up to 8 inches a week
– Easy to care for, can live in low light conditions
– Perfect for beginner aquarists
4. Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
Fanwort is a fast-growing aquarium plant that does well in low light conditions. It can be invasive, so keep an eye on it, In some states in the United States, it is now regarded as a weed!
– Growth of 50 mm (2.0 in) a day is possible
– Medium difficulty to care for, needs moderate light
– Great for aquarists with some experience
5. Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides)
Water Sprite plants are a great choice for any freshwater aquarium. They may be kept as a planted plant or floating. A planted Water Sprite is ideal for the midground or background, and it may be used as a filler plant in either area to add greenery to the scene or fill gaps in an aquascape.
– Grows up to 3 inches per month
– Easy to care for, can live in low light conditions
– Perfect for beginner aquarists
4. Brazillian Waterweed (Egeria densa)
Brazillian Waterweed thrives with almost anything to the point where it is invasive. It will tolerate a variety of light conditions, including very low light. Brazillian waterweed is pretty easy to care for and can live in low light conditions, making it perfect for beginner aquarists who still want lush plants!
A depth of 6 inches into the bottom substrate is ideal for planting Brazillian waterweed.
– Grows up to 15 inches a week
– Easy to care for, can live in low light conditions
– Perfect for beginner aquarists
5. Parrot’s Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
Parrot feather is a perennial plant. The whorls of four to six feather-like leaves that surround the stem in parrot feathers are what give it its name. Parrot feather’s emergent stems and leaves are most distinctive, as they may reach up to a foot above the water surface and resemble tiny fir trees.
The woody emergent stems grow over 5 feet long and will extend to the bank and shore. Attached to the Parrot feather are pinkish-white flowers that extend approximately 1/16 inches long.
The period from March through May is known as “peak green,” when the majority of plants are in bloom, and it’s considered the most beautiful time of year. After they blossom, most plants begin to wilt; nevertheless, certain flowers blossom throughout the year in some locations
– Can grow up to a foot above the water surface
– Medium difficulty to care for, needs moderate light
– Great for aquarists with some experience
6. Ludwigia repens
Ludwigia Repens is a simple-to-care for plant that makes it ideal for tank geeks who want to add color to their aquascape without the work required by more colorful plants. These plants are excellent candidates for the front areas of the aquarium. Their brilliant color provides a fantastic focal point.
Ludwigia is a hardy plant that may be grown in a variety of conditions, but you will need high lighting and nutrients to obtain the desired brilliant colors. The addition of high iron content will bring out more crimson tones in the plant. CO2 injection is not required for this plant’s growth, however it can help it develop more robustly.
- Medium difficulty to care for, needs moderate light
- Great for aquarists with some experience
- CO2 injection and quality aquarium soil will yield better growth.
7. Hydrilla verticillata
– Grows up to 2 inches a week
– Easy to care for, can live in low light conditions
– Perfect for beginners
8. Ceratopteris thalictroides
– Grows up to 12 inches a week
– Easy to care for, can live in low light conditions
– Perfect for beginner aquarists
9. Eichhornia crassipes
– Grows up to 2 inches a week
– Medium difficulty to care for, needs moderate light
With proper care, these fast growing plants will thrive in your aquarium and help to create a healthy environment for your fish
Be sure to research the specific needs of each plant before adding them to your tank. With a little bit of care, you can create a beautiful and thriving aquarium that will be the envy of all your friends.
Aquarium plants are a great way to improve the aesthetics of your tank while also providing a healthy environment for your fish. Some plants grow faster than others, and the plants on this list are some of the fastest growing aquarium plants.
