Low Lighting Aquarium Plants – A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Whilst setting up an attractive and healthy aquarium is a rewarding task, it can also be quite a challenge. If you are planning or started to create your aquarium environment, you would probably observed how plants define the look of an aquarium. This is why we want to share some useful information regarding species of aquatic plants, particularly on low-light aquarium plants. Before we dive into specific plants, we would like to look into two important points: why low-light plants are better compared to faster-growing options like Amazon Sword, and what are those good low-light plants for your fresh or saltwater aquarium. We will also take a closer look at how to keep your plants healthy and growing inside the aquarium again.

Benefits of Low Lighting Aquarium Plants

Aquarium plants that thrive in low light are desirable for several reasons. Because they are easy to maintain, they are a perfect option for all types of aquarists, novice to professional. In the following paragraphs, let us look into these advantages.

1. Low Maintenance

Low-light plants tend to be much easier to care for than high-light species. Their slow growth means that frequently fought algae is unlikely. Lower light requirements also mean more water changes are possible, keeping the tank from stagnating. They require less nutrients to grow, and less trimming decreases the chance of your potted plants ending up in the tank uncooked. Beginner plants are ideal for those of you who might not want to maintain an aquarium, or just are not interested in high maintenance impressive set ups; a low-light aquarium is like a houseplant for your tank.

2. Energy Efficiency

With low-light plants, you can also lower your energy costs. Many aquarists use high-intensity light with toxic metal halide bulbs, which consume a lot of power. Low-light plants grow adequately under standard aquarium lighting, or even LED lights that have a very low power draw. This saves you money and keeps your footprint small.

3. Natural Algae Control

Low-light plants help keep your aquarium healthy by competing with algae for nutrients. With good maintenance, they can help prevent algae blooms by outcompeting algae for food and nutrients. This means your aquatic life can live free of chemical treatments and you won’t have the hassle of a green pop rock-style tank.

4. Improved Water Quality

For one thing, with growing plants, the aquarium will provide better water quality, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. if you are looking for some easy plants that look great, plants that grow in low light and are typically more tolerant to changing conditions found in a home aquarium would be best.

5. Aesthetic Appeal

Although many of these low-light plants aren’t the most outstanding to keep and care for, they often have rather unique textures and hues. Furthermore, they can inject an exceptional amount of life and natural appeal to any aquascape. Placing the high- and low-light plants correctly will allow you to utilise their strengths and avoid their shortcomings.

Top Low Lighting Aquarium Plants

When looking for plants for a low-light aquarium, you need to choose plants that do well with low light levels. Some of the better choices are listed below.

1. Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)

Probably the most popular of the low-light plants is Java Fern. This type of fern grows nice long, dark green leaves that look very natural in most aquariums and is very peaceful when kept by itself. Java Fern is ultra hardy and will adapt to most water conditions, making it a great candidate for beginner aquarists. This plant does not need a substrate and can be glued to rocks or driftwood using fishing line or all natural glue that is safe for aquaria.

2. Anubias (Anubias spp.)

Another option for low light tanks is Anubias. With large leathery dark green leaves, this slow-growing plant is easy to care for and looks great. Like Java Fern, Anubias can be secured to hard surfaces like rocks or driftwood. It’s a very resilient plant and can thrive in a wide range of water parameters.

3. Cryptocoryne (Cryptocoryne spp.)

Cryptocoryne, or ‘Crypts’ to their friends, are a diverse group that are also amongst the most suited to low-light. Like anemones, they come in a range of colours and leaf shapes to give more variety to your aquascaping choices. Most are suited to planting in the substrate, although they may take a while to establish depending on the species. Once these are established, however, they are among the easier plants to maintain, although there are exceptions in this

4. Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)

This plant can tolerate super-low light levels and is commonly used for creating a natural-looking carpet or covering rocks and driftwood (because it sticks to nearly everything). Java Moss is also very popular for shrimp tanks since their juveniles thrive there thanks to the plant’s great hiding ability. Java Moss is super easy to grow and requires very little to no maintenance, so it even works for lower-tech setups.

5. Marimo Moss Ball (Aegagropila linnaei)

Marimo Moss Balls are spheroid algae, which makes it a fun addition to any aquarium, and it doesn’t need much light and allows you to remove excess nutrients of water. With its easy upkeep – just roll it occasionally to maintain its round shape and this moss also need to be rinsed during water change – you will see a remarkable eye-pleasing aesthetics.

6. Amazon Sword (Echinodorus amazonicus)

Another popular background plant that will thrive in low-light is Amazon Sword. It has broad, sword-shaped leaves that can grow very large, making it ideal for creating a beautiful backdrop in your aquarium. Amazon Sword will grow slower in low light, but it is still a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.

7. Bucephalandra (Bucephalandra spp.)

Bucephalandra or Buce, as it’s known within the hobby, is relatively new to the trade but also fairly easy to obtain and care for, and that along with its attractive form is no doubt why it has gained such popularity in a relatively short amount of time. Buce comes in a variety of colours and leaf shapes, is easy to grow in low lighting, and like Anubias and Java Fern, can either be planted in the substrate or glued to rocks or driftwood.

Caring for Low Lighting Aquarium Plants

Low-light plants are some of the easiest to keep, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things you can do to improve your chances of success. They won’t revolutionise your tank, but they’ll certainly help. So, here goes: Take your CO2 cylinder somewhere else.

1. Lighting Requirements

These are also called low-light plants, but they still need light to grow. Standard fluorescent or LED lights — the same type used as aquarium lights — usually work just fine. Try for 6-8 hours of light on/16-hour light-off in a day. A light-off period is crucial; using a timer will help keep the schedule consistent.

2. Substrate and Fertilization

Some species of low-light plants can be epiphytic (meaning they need to grow on a hard surface), but others need a nutrient-rich substrate in the bottom of the tank – such as such as Cryptocoryne and Amazon Sword – which can be fertilised by aquarium soil or gravel. Root tabs and liquid fertilisers are also useful to supplement nutrients, especially if plants grow slowly or develop yellow leaves.

3. Water Parameters

While low-light of many of the ambient water conditions, maintaining a stability of parameters is key, and most low-light plants thrive under pH that ranges from 6.5-7.5 and temperatures of 72-82°F (22-28°C). Partial water changes on a regular basis will help prevent toxic buildup and maintain your plants.

4. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

While CO2 injection is not actually required for growth in low-light plants, it helps them grow healthier and faster. A CO2 system will greatly enhance your tank if you’re up for building a more advanced system. However, most low-light plants will grow well enough without CO2, making them very suitable for a low-tech system.

5. Pruning and Maintenance

Now though, these slow-growing plants still benefit from occasional pruning to keep their shape in check, prevent overcrowding, and remove dead or rotting leaves. This ensures that your plants are always sparkling and won’t contribute to low-quality water. Regular maintenance, in short, can help combat nuisance algae and keep your tank looking spiffy.

6. Algae Control

Low-light plants will also be beneficial in reducing algae, but keep an eye on your algae anyway. Bad water, and too much food and light will give you algae problems. If you add algae-eating fish or invertebrates (such as snails or shrimp), they will help keep algae under control.

Designing a Low-Light Aquascape

Even with low-light aquatic plants, the term ‘ugly’ won’t have to be applied to your aquascape. Though beginners often make the mistake of cramming too many plants into the tank or using too much gravel, that’s not the approach to use when working with best practices for aquascaping. Use your imagination. Try something untested. Add a touch of orange. With a low-light aquarium, you can use a large variety of plants and ample rocks, giving you more artistic freedom. Here are some ideas for designing a beautiful aquascape in a low-light aquarium.

1. Layering and Depth

In the background, try using a taller plant, like an Amazon Sword or Cryptocoryne, for more depth. Use shorter Anubias or Bucephalandra type plants in the midground to add some texture and throw things at the foreground by using a low-grower like Java Moss or Marimo Moss Balls to make a luscious carpet.

2. Hardscape Elements

incorporating hardscape such as rocks, driftwood or other hardscape materials into the design will make your aquascape look more natural. In particular, think about the different structures of hardscape elements and soft plants, as this can make for a striking design. A great place to begin is by using the physical structure of hardscape, such as rocks or driftwood, to anchor and secure plants like Java Fern, Anubias or Bucephalandra.