No matter your outdoor setup, you can grow beautiful aquatic plants! Learn how to help lilies and lotuses thrive with these pond planting tips.
Freshwater plants can play an essential role in spawning and fry development. Here are the best types of aquarium plants to encourage breeding in your tank.
Takashi Amano advocated the long-term maintenance of Nature Aquarium aquascapes.
With summer in full gear, I figured I’d talk about one of my favorite genera for indoor and outdoor aquaria alike: swordplants (genus Echinodorus).
Many different stones may be used in iwagumi layouts.
Carnivorous plants are an option for aquascapers seeking unique plantlife that goes beyond the passivity of traditional species, but they have the potential to consume animals like any other predator.
It can be difficult for a beginner to know how to incorporate plants into their setup with the amount of conflicting information out there, but a professional aquascaper breaks it down and makes it easy for anyone to start a planted tank.
If you’re daunted by all of the prevalent high-tech aquascapes but still want a lush planted tank for your home, there are techniques that can help you create a simple, low-cost setup.
As time passes, stem plants in the background of a Nature Aquarium layout can decline and require replanting.
The aquascaping master describes a novel technique for creating the illusion of depth in a layout through creative planting.
Helanthium tenellum, the pygmy chain sword, can be found as a bog plant from the northern United States through Central America to Paraguay, South America.
The Amazon sword has been widely used in the aquarium hobby for decades.
The aquascaping master describes how several species of short plants can be incorporated in the Nature Aquarium layout to convey the impression of vast, open space.
Relatively new to the United States aquarium hobby, Pogostemon helferi has an unmistakable and unique appearance.
Blyxa aubertii is a species that has been around for many years, but it is not terribly popular and has never become truly well-established in the hobby.
Tropical water lilies can play a large part in emphasizing the beauty and tranquility of a garden pond through their dramatic coloration and elegant contours.
Hemianthus micranthemoides is a well-known species that is popular in the hobby.
Most aquarium hobbyists are familiar with the genus of plants named Anubias.
Though buying fish on the spur of the moment is never recommended, most aquarists will, at one time or another, make a spontaneous decision to buy new fish for their aquarium.
The pioneer of the modern planted aquascape demonstrates the multiple ways that driftwood and moss can form the foundation for a layout’s overall impression.
Lagenandra meeboldii “pink” is a plant that is not frequently encountered in the hobby.
Tiny aquatic gardens are all the rage; perfect for the aquarist with limited space, or for those who simply enjoy the aesthetic of a scale-model planted layout, with all the benefits and challenges that come with it.
Ludwigia x lacustris is an aquatic herb that was introduced relatively recently to the aquarium hobby.
Ludwigia inclinata is an aquatic herb found in wet areas, sometimes on the beds of dried ponds or lakes, either submerged or with emergent stems.
Native to the island of Sri Lanka, Cryptocoryne wendtii is one of the most common and widely used aquarium plants available today.
Syngonanthus sp.“BelÉm” is one of the newer plants to arrive in the hobby, becoming widespread only over the past few years.
Rotala rotundifolia is a classic aquarium plant and a staple of the hobby.
Also known as African water fern, African fern, or simply as bolbitis, originates in the tropical regions of Africa.
Bacopa caroliniana is one of the most popular and easily obtained plants in the aquarium hobby.
The name fluviatilis refers to being associated with rivers, and in nature Tonina fluviatilis is typically found in shallow water growing as floating mats in slow-moving streams.
Elatine triandra is a delightful foreground plant. Its small stem width of ½ to 1 inch, rich bright green color, and ease of growth make it a beautiful choice in any size aquarium.
Crinum calamistratum is an aquatic plant from Central Africa that has been available in the hobby for several years now.
Rotala macrandra has a well-deserved reputation as a favorite in the aquarium hobby.
Australia is a relatively untapped source of flora that can be used in the foreground and midground of aquariums.
Polygonum sp. “Kawagoeanum” has a bamboo-like appearance. It is a rapid grower that is easily cultivated.
Originating in southern Thailand, Cryptocoryne crispatula var. “balansae” is found in fast-flowing streams that are high in calcium content due to limestone in the surrounding soils.
Pogostemon stellatus is a stunning stem plant originating from Southeast Asia and Australia.
Blyxa japonica is a beautiful species that has gained widespread popularity in the hobby over the past five or ten years.
Establishing a novel and detailed aquascape is no simple task; achieving one in mere milliliters of water is masterful.
The world-famous aquascape artist reveals his method for re-creating the aesthetic of a Japanese rock garden in the planted aquarium.
The genius of the planted aquascape discusses the upkeep of ferns, mosses, and other shade-loving plants for the long-term enjoyment of the Nature Aquarium layout.
The author, a native of Malaysian Borneo, details his experiences collecting the many species of Cryptocoryne growing wild in the waterways of his homeland.
Hideous, hairy, stringy, matted, algae is the bane of the planted aquarium keeper.
A look at the different varieties of Echinodorus cordifolius, a large-growing focal point for the planted aquarium.
The planted tank virtuoso shares his method for trimming plants in the Nature Aquarium to both maintain and improve the layout over time.
Vallisneria is the truly classic aquarium plant. A tall rosette-type plant, it’s easily propagated and is one of the earliest plants used in the aquarium hobby
I was browsing through discounted books on a shopping trip last winter, and I found a nice little one on pond plants.
The celebrated aquatic plant maestro shares his techniques for using CO2 to obtain optimal plant growth in the Nature Aquarium layout.
The master of the planted aquascape discusses ways to keep the Nature Aquarium healthy and beautiful over time.
Once you have your planted aquarium successfully running, you’ll soon find yourself faced with problems resulting from your good fortune, and wondering what to do with all the excess plants growing in your tank.
A koi pond represents one of the many pinnacles of the aquarium hobby.
A discussion of the selection and placement of rocks, driftwood, and plants to create a natural composition in the Nature Aquarium.
The top of the water and the surface above it is the best place for light and gas exchange.
Considered the ultimate invertebrates by their fans, the otherworldly cuttlefish make great pets for those willing to meet their very specific needs.
The aquatic plant layout master explains the key role of substrate composition in the long-term maintenance of the planted aquascape.
There are many options when keeping a planted tank, and they each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Plant trimming and algae control are two of the main keys to keeping the Nature Aquarium layout healthy and beautiful over the long term.
Liquid fertilizers and nutritive substrates are essential to growing healthy and beautiful aquatic plants in the Nature Aquarium layout.
The Madagascar lace needs little introduction. It is unique among aquatic plants.
A look at some of the beautiful lilies and lily-like plants for the aquarium, as well as some tips on making them an attractive and functional element in your aquascape.
Rosette plants grow their leaves from a central short stem, similar in appearance to a rose blossom.
The world-renowned aquatic plant maestro discusses the importance of water quality in the Nature Aquarium and suggests ways to keep your parameters up to par.
This month the aquatic plant layout expert discusses proper lighting and CO2 injection in the Nature Aquarium and how to keep these elements in balance.
My previous two columns looked at the history of botany, the structure of plants, and some of the terminology used within this subject.
Last month I gave a very brief review of botany from a historical perspective.
The celebrated planted aquarium guru reviews some important filtration considerations for the Nature Aquarium, including filter volume, media, and water flow.