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plants

Background aquarium plants

Plants labeled for background placement — plan height, pruning, and shading effects on species below.

60 plants

  • Background
    Amazon Sword

    Amazon Sword

    Echinodorus grisebachii 'Amazonicus'

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp22–26°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Amazon Sword

    Echinodorus grisebachii 'Amazonicus'

    pH range
    6.5–7.5
    Compare
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    Asian Marshweed

    Asian Marshweed

    Limnophila sessiliflora

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthVery fast
    Height40 cm
    Temp20–26°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Asian Marshweed

    Limnophila sessiliflora

    pH range
    5–8
    Compare
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    Australian Vallisneria

    Australian Vallisneria

    Vallisneria australis

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height100 cm
    Temp18–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Australian Vallisneria

    Vallisneria australis

    pH range
    6–8
    Compare
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    Balansa's Water Trumpet

    Balansa's Water Trumpet

    Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthMedium
    Height50 cm
    Temp20–26°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Balansa's Water Trumpet

    Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae

    pH range
    6–9
    Compare
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    Bihar Staurogyne

    Bihar Staurogyne

    Staurogyne sp. 'Bihar'

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Bihar Staurogyne

    Staurogyne sp. 'Bihar'

    pH range
    5–7.5
    Compare
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    Bleherae

    Bleherae

    Echinodorus grisebachii 'Bleherae'

    LightMedium
    CO₂No added CO₂ needed
    GrowthFast
    Height60 cm
    Temp22–26°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Bleherae

    Echinodorus grisebachii 'Bleherae'

    pH range
    —
    Compare
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    Boivinianus Aponogeton

    Boivinianus Aponogeton

    Aponogeton boivinianus

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height80 cm
    Temp22–26°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Boivinianus Aponogeton

    Aponogeton boivinianus

    pH range
    6–8
    Compare
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    Brazilian waterweed

    Brazilian waterweed

    Egeria densa

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthVery fast
    Height100 cm
    Temp20–24°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Brazilian waterweed

    Egeria densa

    pH range
    5–9
    Compare
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    Cabomba

    Cabomba

    Cabomba aquatica

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthMedium
    Height50 cm
    Temp23–27°C
    DifficultyHard

    Cabomba

    Cabomba aquatica

    pH range
    5–7
    Compare
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    Carolina fanwort

    Carolina fanwort

    Cabomba caroliniana

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthVery fast
    Height50 cm
    Temp20–25°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Carolina fanwort

    Cabomba caroliniana

    pH range
    5–7
    Compare
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    Colorata Rotala

    Colorata Rotala

    Rotala rotundifolia 'Colorata'

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height80 cm
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Colorata Rotala

    Rotala rotundifolia 'Colorata'

    pH range
    4.5–8
    Compare
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    Crinkled Aponogeton

    Crinkled Aponogeton

    Aponogeton crispus

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp25–32°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Crinkled Aponogeton

    Aponogeton crispus

    pH range
    5–8
    Compare
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    Crinum

    Crinum

    Crinum calamistratum

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthSlow
    Height—
    Temp23–26°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Crinum

    Crinum calamistratum

    pH range
    5.5–8
    Compare
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    Cuba Ludwigia

    Cuba Ludwigia

    Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Cuba Ludwigia

    Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'

    pH range
    4.5–7
    Compare
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    Cuba Mermaid Weed

    Cuba Mermaid Weed

    Proserpinaca palustris 'Cuba'

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthMedium
    Height30 cm
    Temp20–25°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Cuba Mermaid Weed

    Proserpinaca palustris 'Cuba'

    pH range
    5–7.5
    Compare
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    Curly waterweed

    Curly waterweed

    Lagarosiphon major

    LightMedium
    CO₂No added CO₂ needed
    GrowthFast
    Height60 cm
    Temp18–24°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Curly waterweed

    Lagarosiphon major

    pH range
    6–8
    Compare
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    Cylindricfruit Primrose-Willow

    Cylindricfruit Primrose-Willow

    Ludwigia glandulosa

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthMedium
    Height40 cm
    Temp22–25°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Cylindricfruit Primrose-Willow

    Ludwigia glandulosa

    pH range
    5–7
    Compare
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    Duck-Lettuce

    Duck-Lettuce

    Ottelia alismoides

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp22–26°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Duck-Lettuce

    Ottelia alismoides

    pH range
    6–7.5
    Compare
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    Dwarf Hygrophila

    Dwarf Hygrophila

    Hygrophila polysperma

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthVery fast
    Height40 cm
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Dwarf Hygrophila

    Hygrophila polysperma

    pH range
    5–8
    Compare
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    Dwarf Rotala

    Dwarf Rotala

    Rotala rotundifolia

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height30 cm
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Dwarf Rotala

    Rotala rotundifolia

    pH range
    4.5–8
    Compare
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    Dwarf Sagittaria

    Dwarf Sagittaria

    Sagittaria subulata

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height—
    Temp18–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Dwarf Sagittaria

    Sagittaria subulata

    pH range
    5–9
    Compare
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    Eelgrass

    Eelgrass

    Vallisneria spiralis

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height60 cm
    Temp20–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Eelgrass

    Vallisneria spiralis

    pH range
    6–8
    Compare
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    Gay's Pondweed

    Gay's Pondweed

    Potamogeton gayi

    LightMedium
    CO₂No added CO₂ needed
    GrowthFast
    Height60 cm
    Temp18–26°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Gay's Pondweed

    Potamogeton gayi

    pH range
    6–8
    Compare
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    Gia Lai Rotala

    Gia Lai Rotala

    Rotala sp. 'Gia Lai'

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height80 cm
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Gia Lai Rotala

    Rotala sp. 'Gia Lai'

    pH range
    4.5–7.5
    Compare
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    Giant Red Rotala

    Giant Red Rotala

    Rotala macrandra

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyHard

    Giant Red Rotala

    Rotala macrandra

    pH range
    4.5–7
    Compare
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    Green Macrandra

    Green Macrandra

    Rotala macrandra 'Green'

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height30 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyHard

    Green Macrandra

    Rotala macrandra 'Green'

    pH range
    4.5–7
    Compare
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    Green Rotala

    Green Rotala

    Rotala sp. 'Green'

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height80 cm
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Green Rotala

    Rotala sp. 'Green'

    pH range
    4.5–7.5
    Compare
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    Green Tiger Lotus

    Green Tiger Lotus

    Nymphaea lotus 'Green'

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height—
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Green Tiger Lotus

    Nymphaea lotus 'Green'

    pH range
    5–8
    Compare
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    Hornwort

    Hornwort

    Ceratophyllum demersum

    LightMedium
    CO₂No added CO₂ needed
    GrowthVery fast
    Height100 cm
    Temp10–30°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Hornwort

    Ceratophyllum demersum

    pH range
    6–9
    Compare
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    Hydrotriche

    Hydrotriche

    Hydrotriche hottoniiflora

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height50 cm
    Temp21–34°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Hydrotriche

    Hydrotriche hottoniiflora

    pH range
    5–7
    Compare
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    Indian marshweed

    Indian marshweed

    Limnophila indica

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp25–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Indian marshweed

    Limnophila indica

    pH range
    5–8
    Compare
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    Limnophila Aromatica

    Limnophila Aromatica

    Limnophila aromatica

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height—
    Temp22–27°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Limnophila Aromatica

    Limnophila aromatica

    pH range
    6–7.5
    Compare
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    Limnophila Hippuridoides

    Limnophila Hippuridoides

    Limnophila hippuridoides

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height30 cm
    Temp22–27°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Limnophila Hippuridoides

    Limnophila hippuridoides

    pH range
    6–7.5
    Compare
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    Mermaid Weed

    Mermaid Weed

    Proserpinaca palustris

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthMedium
    Height40 cm
    Temp20–25°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Mermaid Weed

    Proserpinaca palustris

    pH range
    5–7.5
    Compare
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    Myriophyllum Mattogrossense

    Myriophyllum Mattogrossense

    Myriophyllum mattogrossense

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height35 cm
    Temp23–25°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Myriophyllum Mattogrossense

    Myriophyllum mattogrossense

    pH range
    5–7.5
    Compare
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    Myriophyllum Tuberculatum

    Myriophyllum Tuberculatum

    Myriophyllum tuberculatum

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height—
    Temp18–24°C
    DifficultyHard

    Myriophyllum Tuberculatum

    Myriophyllum tuberculatum

    pH range
    5–7
    Compare
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    Nesaea Crassicaulis

    Nesaea Crassicaulis

    Ammannia crassicaulis

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height50 cm
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyHard

    Nesaea Crassicaulis

    Ammannia crassicaulis

    pH range
    5–7
    Compare
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    Onion Plant

    Onion Plant

    Crinum thaianum

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthMedium
    Height100 cm
    Temp22–29°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Onion Plant

    Crinum thaianum

    pH range
    5.5–8
    Compare
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    Osiris Sword

    Osiris Sword

    Echinodorus osiris

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height30 cm
    Temp15–26°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Osiris Sword

    Echinodorus osiris

    pH range
    —
    Compare
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    Ozelot Sword

    Ozelot Sword

    Echinodorus 'Ozelot'

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height—
    Temp20–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Ozelot Sword

    Echinodorus 'Ozelot'

    pH range
    5–7
    Compare
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    Pantanal Ludwigia

    Pantanal Ludwigia

    Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Pantanal'

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height30 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyExpert

    Pantanal Ludwigia

    Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Pantanal'

    pH range
    4.5–7
    Compare
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    Parrot Feather Watermilfoil

    Parrot Feather Watermilfoil

    Myriophyllum aquaticum

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthVery fast
    Height50 cm
    Temp15–25°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Parrot Feather Watermilfoil

    Myriophyllum aquaticum

    pH range
    5–7.5
    Compare
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    Pogostemon Erectus

    Pogostemon Erectus

    Pogostemon deccanensis

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Pogostemon Erectus

    Pogostemon deccanensis

    pH range
    5–7
    Compare
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    Pontederiifolia

    Pontederiifolia

    Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia

    LightLow
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthSlow
    Height20 cm
    Temp22–25°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Pontederiifolia

    Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia

    pH range
    6–7.5
    Compare
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    Red Cabomba

    Red Cabomba

    Cabomba furcata

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height60 cm
    Temp24–30°C
    DifficultyHard

    Red Cabomba

    Cabomba furcata

    pH range
    5–6.8
    Compare
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    Round Fruit Blyxa

    Round Fruit Blyxa

    Blyxa aubertii

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height35 cm
    Temp20–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Round Fruit Blyxa

    Blyxa aubertii

    pH range
    5–7.5
    Compare
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    Rubin Ludwigia

    Rubin Ludwigia

    Ludwigia repens 'Rubin'

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height30 cm
    Temp18–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Rubin Ludwigia

    Ludwigia repens 'Rubin'

    pH range
    5–7.5
    Compare
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    Siam Hygrophila

    Siam Hygrophila

    Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis'

    LightMedium
    CO₂No added CO₂ needed
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Siam Hygrophila

    Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis'

    pH range
    5.5–7.5
    Compare
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    Stargrass

    Stargrass

    Heteranthera zosterifolia

    LightMedium
    CO₂No added CO₂ needed
    GrowthFast
    Height30 cm
    Temp20–25°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Stargrass

    Heteranthera zosterifolia

    pH range
    5–8
    Compare
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    Stellatus Pogostemon

    Stellatus Pogostemon

    Pogostemon stellatus

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyHard

    Stellatus Pogostemon

    Pogostemon stellatus

    pH range
    5–7
    Compare
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    stream bogmoss

    stream bogmoss

    Mayaca fluviatilis

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp23–25°C
    DifficultyModerate

    stream bogmoss

    Mayaca fluviatilis

    pH range
    4.5–7
    Compare
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    Stricta Hygrophila

    Stricta Hygrophila

    Hygrophila corymbosa 'Stricta'

    LightMedium
    CO₂No added CO₂ needed
    GrowthFast
    Height50 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Stricta Hygrophila

    Hygrophila corymbosa 'Stricta'

    pH range
    5.5–7.5
    Compare
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    Ulvaceus Aponogeton

    Ulvaceus Aponogeton

    Aponogeton ulvaceus

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height50 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Ulvaceus Aponogeton

    Aponogeton ulvaceus

    pH range
    4.5–7.5
    Compare
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    Variegated Macrandra

    Variegated Macrandra

    Rotala macrandra 'Variegated'

    LightHigh
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height30 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyHard

    Variegated Macrandra

    Rotala macrandra 'Variegated'

    pH range
    4.5–7
    Compare
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    Vietnam Rotala

    Vietnam Rotala

    Rotala sp. 'Vietnam'

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height25 cm
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Vietnam Rotala

    Rotala sp. 'Vietnam'

    pH range
    4.5–7
    Compare
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    Viviparous Spikerush

    Viviparous Spikerush

    Eleocharis vivipara

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthMedium
    Height40 cm
    Temp20–27°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Viviparous Spikerush

    Eleocharis vivipara

    pH range
    4.5–7
    Compare
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    Water Wisteria

    Water Wisteria

    Hygrophila difformis

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height50 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyEasy

    Water Wisteria

    Hygrophila difformis

    pH range
    6–7.5
    Compare
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    Watersprite

    Watersprite

    Ceratopteris thalictroides

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthVery fast
    Height40 cm
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Watersprite

    Ceratopteris thalictroides

    pH range
    5–8
    Compare
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    Whip Rotala

    Whip Rotala

    Rotala wallichii

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ required
    GrowthFast
    Height20 cm
    Temp24–28°C
    DifficultyHard

    Whip Rotala

    Rotala wallichii

    pH range
    5–7
    Compare
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    Yatabeanus Pogostemon

    Yatabeanus Pogostemon

    Pogostemon yatabeanus

    LightMedium
    CO₂Added CO₂ beneficial
    GrowthFast
    Height40 cm
    Temp22–28°C
    DifficultyModerate

    Yatabeanus Pogostemon

    Pogostemon yatabeanus

    pH range
    —
    Compare