A Selection Of 16 Recommended Tubers & Rooted Plants For Aquariums

A range of 16 tubers and rooted plants are identified and recommended for use as plants for aquariums. Two tubers ( Aponogeton undulatus and Nymphaea stellata) and two rooted plants (Vallisneria spiralis and Cryptocoryne wendtii ) are described in more detail.

A tuber, Aponogeton undulatus is also known as Apontogenton stachyosporus. It has light green leaves that can grow up to 15 cms in length and the whole plant about 40 cms. The true species do not have floating leaves but it seems that some hybrids do have them.

White flowers are produced and this plant will tolerate most water conditions. It can grow in shady conditions but does prefer a brighter light. Medium hard to hard water with a temperature range of 22 to 28 degrees centigrade and pH range of 6.8 to 7.2 are the preferred conditions.

A tuber, The Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata) is commonly known as the Star lotus, Blue star water lily, red and blue water lily or by its synonym Nymphaea nouchali. The Nymphae species produce a rosette of red or green leaves at the base of the plant and floating leaves called lily pads. To stop the plant from producing floating leaves, you must cut the floaters before they reach the surface.

You will need to check your tank each day to see if there are leaves moving to the surface. If you do not, by the evening they will be there. In effect you can train the plant to focus on producing submersed leaves.

A rooter, (Cryptocoryne wendtii) is a popular plant with aquarists and it is native to Sri Lanka. The name is in honor of Albert Wendt, aquarist and writer, and was assigned by Hendrik de Wit, a Dutch botanist. It has leaves shaped like lances and is available in bronze, brown, rose and red colored varieties.

It is an easy plant to grow, quite sturdy and will spread inside your tank via propagation by its runners, but not too fast. Low to moderate light and soft water with a temperature range of 22 to 30 degrees centigrade and pH range of 5 to 7 are the preferred conditions. Highly recommended for beginners.

A rooter, Straight Vallisneria (Vallisneria spiralis) is also known as Eel or Tape Grass. Its leaves are straight and narrow with colors varying from red to light green and have rounded tips. If not kept in check it can soon populate large areas of your aquarium as it is quite invasive and can grow up to an average of about 60 cms in length. It reproduces via runners along the substrate.

White female flowers (single) can grow to the surface on long stems. Because this plant can thrive in a range of water conditions (15 to 39 degrees centigrade, soft to hard water, 6 to 9 pH) and light conditions they are really good plants for aquariums for beginners.

Other recommended tubers are;
* Apponogeton boiviniamus
* Apponogeton madagascariensis
* Apponogeton rigidiflorius
* Apponogeton ulvaceus
* Barclaya longiflolia
* Nymphaea maculata

Other recommended rooted plants are;
* Anubias nana
* Cryptocoryne balansae
* Echinodorus cordifolius
* Echinodorus tenellus
* Sagittaria platyphylla
* Vallisneria spiralis

So there you have it, recommended plants for aquariums you now know more about and can use in your tank.

Paul Curran is webmaster at Fresh-Water-Aquariums-Guide.com and provides a care information system for fresh water aquariums. Get your FREE E-Course on how to set up and maintain a beautiful aquarium, have the healthiest, happiest fish around AND learn about more plants for aquariums