Aquatic plants are used to give the freshwater aquarium a natural appearance, oxygenate the water, and provide habitat for fish, especially fry (babies) and for invertebrates. Some aquarium fish and invertebrates also eat live plants. Hobbyists use aquatic plants for aquascaping, of several aesthetic styles.
Most of these plant species are found either partially or fully submersed in their natural habitat. Although there are a handful of obligate aquatic plants that must be grown entirely under water, most can grow fully emersed if the soil is moist.
The taxonomy of most plant genera is not final. Scientific names listed here may therefore contradict other sources.
Common aquarium plant species:
Several species of terrestrial plants are frequently sold as "aquarium plants". While such plants are beautiful and can survive and even flourish for months under water, they will eventually die and must be removed so their decay does not contaminate the aquarium water.
Acorus calamus
Anubias barteri var. glabra
Aponogeton distachyos
Bacopa monnieri
Damasonium californicum
Echinodorus cordifolius
Elodea canadensis
Eriocaulon decangulare
Elodea densa
Nymphaea lotus
Nymphoides Peltata
Ranunculus aquatilis
Sagittaria sagittifolia
Sagittaria latifolia
Trapa natans
Utricularia vulgaris (Common Bladderwort)
Vallisneria americana
Eleocharis dulcis
Hippuris vulgaris
Hottonia palustris
Isoetes lacustris