Top 5 Low-Maintenance Aquarium Plants for Beginners in India

The gold standard of easy aquarium plants. Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) grows in low to medium light, doesn't need to be rooted in substrate, and is nearly impossible to kill. It's equally at home in betta tanks, community tanks, and shrimp setups. Important: Never bury the rhizome (the thick horizontal stem) — it will rot. Tie or glue it to a rock or piece of driftwood and it'll attach itself within 2–3 weeks. Grows 15–30 cm tall. Propagates by producing baby plants (plantlets) on older leaf tips. Available at Aquatik for ₹150.

Anubias has thick, waxy, dark green leaves that virtually nothing can damage — not fin-nipping fish, not strong flow, not low light. Like Java Fern, attach it to hardscape rather than planting in substrate. Grows very slowly, which is actually an advantage — less trimming. Thrives in low light, making it perfect for tanks with a basic LED lamp (the Blue Pet N6 NEO+ Aquarium Mini Lamp at ₹250 works perfectly). Available at Aquatik for ₹200. Perfect for betta tanks, shrimp tanks, and any community setup.

A beautiful, dramatic centrepiece plant that can grow large and lush without CO2. Unlike Java Fern and Anubias, Amazon Sword is a root feeder — plant it in substrate with root tabs or nutrient-rich AQUARICH Aquarium Soil (₹250). Can grow up to 40 cm tall, so it works best in tanks of 40 litres and above. One of the most striking plants you can keep under basic Indian LED lighting. Available at Aquatik for just ₹80 — exceptional value for such an impactful plant.

The most flexible aquarium plant you can own. Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri) can be tied to rocks, attached to driftwood, grown on mesh as a carpet, or left floating freely. It thrives in virtually any condition — any light level, temperatures between 18–30°C. It creates a lush, natural-looking carpet or wall effect. Shrimp and betta fry love hiding in its dense growth. Trim it regularly for a neat appearance, or let it grow wild for a natural jungle look. Available at Aquatik for ₹100.

Water Sprite, also known as Ceratopteris Thalictroides, is one of the fastest-growing aquarium plants available. This makes it exceptional at absorbing nitrates and outcompeting algae. It can be planted in substrate or left floating at the surface. Bettas particularly love Water Sprite — they rest under its surface canopy and feel more secure. It grows quickly enough that you'll be giving trimmings away within weeks. Available at Aquatik for ₹100. An outstanding value plant for any aquarium.

India's tap water is generally suitable for most aquarium plants after conditioning. A few tips to maximise growth: • Use a liquid fertiliser with iron every 1–2 weeks — accelerates growth noticeably • LED lights running 8–10 hours daily are sufficient. More hours cause algae, not better plants • Remove dead or yellowing leaves promptly — they decay and add ammonia to the water • Don't overstock your tank — more fish waste means more algae on plant leaves • Always use Anti Chlorine (₹15) when doing water changes — chlorine damages plant roots All plants at Aquatik are grown fully submersed (underwater), not emersed — meaning they adapt to your tank immediately with no melting or transition period. Browse our full plant collection on the shop page.