Aquarium plants give your aquarium a visually appealing look, a lush environment for your bettas, and a place to play, hide, and relax.
When planning to set up your aquarium tank, choosing the right plant can be difficult. As a betta fish owner, you must decide whether you want your plant to be real or plastic.
5 best plants for betta fish.
Apart from this, you should choose the plants that will be easier to manage. Whether it’s natural or plastic plants, choosing the right plant will help your fish live longer and happier.
Here are the 5 best plants for betta fish.
Live Marimo Aquarium Plants
- Aquatic Arts is the best rated brand of...
- Does not need special or high intensity...
Last update on 2021-03-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re looking for the easiest live plant to choose for your betta, Marimo balls could probably fulfill your needs. Marimo plants are actually not a plant. They are an algae. These balls don’t require extreme care and can survive for many years.
Marimo looks appealing, and comes with all important benefits of plants and can last for much longer. It also stays firm in most tanks. The plant looks excellent and goes in handy with many plants. The surprising circular shape is beautiful, functional, and gorgeous. Your betta will be happy to rest and rub against the live Marimo aquarium plants.
Pros
- Easy to manage
- Looks great on tanks
- Stays firm on the tank
- A good companion for bettas
Cons
- Strictly an algae and not a plant
Green Pro Java Fern
- LIVE AQUARIUM PLANT IN VITRO : Greenpro...
- EXTENDED SHELF LIFE : With our sterlie...
Last update on 2021-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Java ferns come with long leaves that bettas will enjoy swimming in. The plant is easy to maintain and requires no fertilizer. Java ferns can thrive in any environment but thrive more in freshwater aquariums with low light.
You don’t necessarily have to add soil or gravel on java ferns. You can also partially or fully submerge the plant. Doing these will help create a natural ecosystem for your betta, as well as different layers where they can swim, hide, and explore.
Java ferns are very easy to plant. Just divide the roots and add the simple and beautiful plant.
Pros
Easy to maintain
Easy to plant
Creates a natural ecosystem for betta
Cons
Thrives more on freshwater aquarium
Luffy Coco Philippines Java Fern
Last update on 2021-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re looking for an excellent quality plant for your bettas, you might want to give the puffy coco Philippines java fern from Marimo a try.
Specifically, the plant is exported globally because of its impeccable quality.
It features an intense green coloration that provides a bright ambiance to your tank. Of course, we assure you that your fish will love this too!
Moreover, the plant is a natural fern with a strong structure that even the strongest betta cannot takedown.
Pros
- Natural Fern
- Strong green coloration for a more attractive look
- Strongly rooted
- Easy to maintain
Cons
- A bit smaller than most ferns
- May attract snails
Java Moss Live
- Loose portion bunch; enough moss to make...
- Grows along driftwood, rocks, and other...
Last update on 2021-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Java moss is a nutritious plant that supplies the tank with enough oxygen. The freshwater plant is a quality groundcover, creating a layered tank with a live plant on each level. This resembles your betta’s realistic habitat and helps them live happily and healthily.
Java moss is the best choice for beginners because they are easy to maintain and they beautify your aquarium.
It is a perfect choice for your tank as it provides your fish a beautiful home. Also, they don’t require fertilizing.
The rootless plant performs well under average temperature. It covers your tank’s base and grows properly with minimal maintenance.
Pros
- Highly nutritious
- Easy to maintain
- Resembles bettas natural environment
Cons
- No root
Betta Plant Amazon Sword
- Create a beautiful bowl or aquarium with...
- The Blue Spotted Amazon Sword Betta...
Last update on 2021-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Betta plants are an excellent addition to your tank. It comes with thick, lifelike leaves that help spread across the tank.
Thanks to the strong rock base that lets the plastic plant stay robust inside your aquarium. Your bettas will enjoy playing around the plant and hiding across the leaves.
The plant color promises to last for long. It also requires no special care.
Pros
- Strong base
- Long-lasting colors
- Colored leaves look natural
- Easier to maintain
Cons
- It is a plastic plant
Which is the best?
All the plants we reviewed are high quality and support your betta fish habitat. But, out of them, I’ll choose the Luffy Coco Philippines Java Fern as the best. The plant is exported globally because of its impeccable quality. It features an intense green coloration that provides a bright ambiance to your tank. Moreover, the plant is a natural fern with a strong structure that even the strongest betta cannot takedown.
Factors to consider before choosing a plant for live betta fish
While you basically need them to enhance the aesthetics of your tank, plants can play a crucial role in the balance of your aquarium habitat.
You may want to pick your plant for aesthetic reasons, it is also important to note, though, that the kind of plant you have on your tank can play a role in the environment of the tank inside. Also, the kind of environment and aquarium you have will determine if a plant will flourish or not.
Below are some factors to consider before buying a live aquarium plant:
Size
While, obviously, you must choose the right plant size for your tank, you also must consider that, like your bettas, these plants will grow too.
Do some background research on plants and the potential sizes they can reach so, in the future, you won’t crowd your bettas with redwoods.
Substrate
Like on lands, plants also need a safe, healthy place to thrive. Most plants will lay their roots and rest on a medium-sized substrate.
Lighting
Lighting is one of the critical factors to consider when determining the right aquarium plant for your tank. Your plant may need more light because they create energy with the process of photosynthesis.
A single fluorescent bulb will lit a typical fish tank for between 10-12 hours. This is pretty enough for even hard plants like java moss or banana plants.
However, some plants may require more light power, between 2-3 additional tank lights.
Water
Another factor to consider before buying a plant is the condition of water your bettas live in. Most times, plants thrive in the water of between 72-78°F with a 6.8-7.8 PH level. Another factor to consider is the water hardness. Ensure that you know the type of water in your tank and the recommended type of water for the greenery you intend to buy.
Reliable source
Before you buy a plant, make sure you’re doing that from a reliable source. Buying plants that carry dangerous bacteria or foreign agents can harm the overall ecosystem of the tank.
If you consider these factors and cater to your aquarium plants, your bettas should lead a healthy life in a beautiful tank.
Also, remember that plants need substrates and water changes to thrive. Furthermore, make sure every dead part of the plants should be trimmed off to avoid decaying matters.
Factors To Consider before you Choose Fake Plants
Fake plants require less care and won’t influence your tank’s biology, so considering factors like growth rates and lights do not apply to these plants.
However, there’s one thing you should look out for; it is the type of material used to make the plants, especially for sensitive fish like betta.
Some plastic materials may leach toxic chemicals into the aquarium water which is harmful to your betta. Nevertheless, plants made out of textiles like silks are generally safe and non-toxic.
Beyond that, another critical factor to consider is your plant’s location in the tank.
Some synthetic plants come with suction cups that can be placed on the tank walls. Others come with an anchor at the bottom that can conveniently sit on the substrate at the tank base.
One of the key benefits of a fake plant is that you can mix and match different styles of plants since they don’t depend on nutrients, water PH, light or other factors to thrive.
That lets you be flexible with designing your tank aesthetic and help you choose the plant that suits your style.
FAQs
Do bettas love many plants?
Betta fish love plants that have parts that are large enough to cater to their playing or relaxation needs. However, too many plants may contest your tank, altering the space for your bettas to move.
Do plants need decoration?
Decorations make an aquarium more beautiful, so far they are safe and won’t harm your betta. However, decorations are not a necessity.
Can I put my bettas in a vase with plants?
Yes, you can, because bettas also survive on surface air. But, it can be harmful. Large ponds remain the best and most natural habitats for betta fish and they can only survive in large space.
Do betta fish like synthetic plants?
Synthetic plants are not bad, but filtration, aeration, aesthetics are a few of the benefits of live plants, which makes them a perfect choice.
Wrapping up
Irrespective of your choice, you must remember that these plants are not just for decorations. They function as a component for your betta fish to play and relax.
However, bettas are energetic. They may become bored and weak if they are not allowed to play. In fact, stress could result in detrimental health issues.
Choosing the right type of plant based on your commitment, skill level, and tank size is a good way to get your desired result.
I hope you learn from this review? What do you think about the betta plant?
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