I just wanted to do my part to, once again, reiterate what Wet Web Media has said several times...keep firmly in mind caveat emptor (buyer beware) when you are buying plants for your aquarium. LFS who may or may not know better, will readily sell you houseplants that only survive for weeks or months underwater. The question is when, not if, they will die!
If you don't have a planted tank setup, merely ordinary gravel and normal output fluorescent lights, there are still aquatic plants that can work for you. Don't settle for houseplants to temporarily adorn your tank! Houseplants in aquariums do not filter the water, and unlike aquatic plants which have the potential to bush out and become more impressive, houseplants decline from the moment you place them in your tank. If you're only interested in the decorative aspect, realistic looking plastic or silk plants are a better value. ☼
Here's the biggest thorn in my side. The species of Dracaena known as Ribbon plant or Dragon tree. As you can see, it grows to an impressive size - baby bunches of this plant are commonly sold in pet stores, mislabeled as aquatic, or as plants for reptile habitats.
The variegated version seems to be the most common in aquariums, but "lucky bamboo" is ubiquitous also. This plant is neither a type of bamboo, nor is it very lucky in aquariums, where it rots underwater. This plant grows best in indirect, bright sun and in the soil, but it also grows fairly well soilless, with its roots in gravel and water...
...its *roots*, not the whole plant!
There is also the lovely Peacock fern, Selaginella willdenowii, a strictly terrestrial plant:
Photographer: Scott Zona (License: CC)And then there's Purple waffle, another popular houseplant in aquatic plant's clothing, which tolerates a month or so of being drowned (but not much more):
Photo: University of Missouri-Columbia
Mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus, is not even a houseplant. Common in commercial landscaping, it spreads readily...a sprig or two might end up for sale as an aquatic plant. Don't buy it! Vallisneria is a perfect alternative.
Photo: LA Productions
Here is a picture of a variegated Spider lily, genus Chlorophytum. Plant their many offshoots in a hanging basket, where they propagate readily...but don't put it in your tank:
Photo: LA Productions
Fittonia verschaffeltii, known as Nerve or Mosaic plant, is a tropical plant that needs warmth and high humidity. It comes in an array of colors and its striking venation makes it a desirable houseplant. Keep it near (but not in!) your aquarium, provided the room gets natural light from an untinted window. It will appreciate the extra humidity:
The Aluminum or Watermelon plant, Pilea cadierei, is another wonderful houseplant that makes a terrible aquatic plant. It prefers bright, but indirect light, and likes being kept evenly moist - but not waterlogged:
Photo: Jennifer Macke
Last but not least, Pothos, Philodendron and Spathiphyllum are common houseplants that often get snuck into aquariums by unscrupulous LFSs - they are common enough that I felt no photograph was necessary to denote these species.
If you have a few clippings or cuttings from these terrestrial plants, provided the plant is rinsed well and has NO pesticide residue, there is really no harm in messing around and putting them in your aquarium for a little bit. But please, don't buy houseplants from a pet store or LFS thinking they are aquatic plants! Research first, and save yourself the trouble and expense of growing a plant that doesn't belong underwater.
Petco seems to be the worst offender. Except for lucky bamboo, our Petsmart here has all aquatics in their plant tanks. Both the Petsmart and Petco here wisely keep the plants separate from the fish. Even so, they still both have quite a snail problem on their hands...
