Monte Carlo is a popular carpeting plant in the aquascaping world, prized for its small, round leaves and lush, bright green coverage. It spreads across the substrate and forms a dense carpet when given adequate light and nutrients. It’s easier to grow than Hemianthus callitrichoides (dwarf baby tears), making it ideal for mid- to high-tech tanks.

• Temperature: 68–78°F

• pH: 6.2–7.8 — Adapted to Tallahassee tap water

• Hardness: 3–10 dGH

• Light Requirement: Medium to high

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (with CO₂ and strong light)

• Max Size: 1–2 inches tall

• Placement: Foreground

• CO₂: Strongly recommended for compact growth

• Fertilization: Needs regular liquid fertilizers and root tabs for dense carpeting

Anacharis is a fast-growing, beginner-friendly aquatic plant known for its long, feathery green stems and bushy appearance. It’s great for absorbing excess nutrients, reducing algae, and providing cover for fish and shrimp. Anacharis can be planted in substrate or left floating, and it thrives under moderate lighting with minimal care.

• Light Requirements: Low to moderate

• CO₂: Not required (benefits from it)

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Placement: Background or floating

• Tank Size: Suitable for tanks 5 gallons and up

• Temperature Range: 60–82°F

• pH Range: 6.5–8.0 — Grows well in Tallahassee tap water

• Hardness: 4–20 dGH

• Care Level: Easy

• Propagation: Trim and replant cuttings

Java Moss is a hardy, fast-growing moss that thrives in nearly any aquarium setup. Sold in cups or loose portions, it can be attached to driftwood, rocks, or mesh to create lush carpets, walls, or natural-looking accents. Excellent for shrimp, fry, and low-tech tanks.

• Light Level: Low to Medium (AquaSky or Fluval 3.0 both work well)
• Placement: Attach to hardscape or leave loose; does not root in substrate
• Fertilization: Benefits from liquid ferts like Easy Green or Seachem Flourish, but not required
• CO₂: Not required
• Notes: Extremely beginner-friendly; provides excellent hiding spaces for shrimp and fry and helps reduce algae by outcompeting nutrients

Scarlet Temple (Alternanthera reineckii) is a vibrant stem plant known for its striking red and pink foliage. It brings bold color contrast to planted aquariums and thrives with stable lighting and nutrient support.

• Light Level: Medium to High (Fluval 3.0 recommended for best color and compact growth)
• Placement: Rooted in substrate
• Fertilization: Requires root tabs and benefits from liquid ferts like Easy Green and Easy Iron or Seachem Flourish + Flourish Iron
• CO₂: Recommended for rich coloration and healthy, bushy growth
• Notes: Trim tops and replant cuttings to maintain shape—ideal for midground to background in high-contrast aquascapes

Tiger Lotus (Nymphaea zenkeri) is a bold, eye-catching bulb plant with large, heart-shaped leaves in shades of red, green, or mottled bronze. Its broad leaves add dramatic color and texture to mid- or background areas and may send floating leaves to the surface.

• Light Level: Medium to High (Fluval 3.0 recommended for strong color and growth)
• Placement: Partially buried bulb in substrate (do not fully cover the bulb)
• Fertilization: Requires root tabs (Easy Root Tabs or Seachem Root Tabs) and benefits from liquid ferts like Easy Green and Easy Iron
• CO₂: Not required, but improves growth rate and leaf color
• Notes: Remove floating leaves if you want to maintain a compact, bushy shape—excellent for centerpieces or color accents in larger tanks

Ludwigia Super Red Mini is a compact, intensely colored stem plant prized for its deep red to burgundy leaves. It stays shorter than most Ludwigia varieties, making it perfect for midground placement or creating red highlights in nano and high-contrast aquascapes.

• Light Level: Medium to High (Fluval 3.0 strongly recommended for richest color)
• Placement: Rooted in substrate
• Fertilization: Requires root tabs and benefits from liquid ferts like Easy Green and Easy Iron or Seachem Flourish + Flourish Iron
• CO₂: Recommended for vibrant coloration and dense growth
• Notes: Trim and replant tops to encourage bushy growth—ideal for color contrast in midground or nano tanks

Dwarf Hairgrass – Potted is a fine, grass-like carpeting plant that spreads by runners to form a soft, natural foreground. Sold in a pot for easy planting, it’s perfect for creating a lush, grassy look in planted aquariums.

• Light Level: Medium to High (Fluval 3.0 strongly recommended for compact carpet; AquaSky suitable for moderate spread)
• Placement: Rooted in substrate (remove from pot and separate into small plugs for best results)
• Fertilization: Requires root tabs (Easy Root Tabs or Seachem Root Tabs); benefits from liquid ferts like Easy Green
• CO₂: Recommended for fast, low-growing carpet, but not strictly required
• Notes: Trim regularly to encourage horizontal growth and prevent browning at the base

Wisteria – Potted is a fast-growing, highly adaptable stem plant with bright green, lace-like leaves. It’s ideal for background or midground use, providing excellent cover and helping reduce algae by outcompeting excess nutrients.

• Light Level: Medium (AquaSky or Fluval 3.0 both suitable)
• Placement: Rooted in substrate (remove from pot and plant individual stems for best results)
• Fertilization: Benefits from root tabs and liquid fertilizers like Easy Green or Seachem Flourish
• CO₂: Not required, but improves growth rate and leaf density
• Notes: Easy to propagate by trimming and replanting cuttings; great for beginners and nutrient control

Dark Red Ludwigia is a striking stem plant known for its deep red to burgundy coloration under high light. Ideal for midground or background placement, it adds bold contrast to planted aquariums. This plant thrives in nutrient-rich environments with good lighting and benefits from CO₂ injection but can adapt to lower-tech setups.

• Light Requirements: Moderate to high (high light enhances red color)

• CO₂: Recommended for best coloration, but not required

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

• Placement: Midground to background

• Tank Size: Suitable for tanks 10 gallons and up

• Temperature Range: 68–80°F

• pH Range: 6.5–7.8 — Grows well in Tallahassee tap water

• Hardness: 4–15 dGH

• Care Level: Easy to moderate

• Propagation: Trim and replant stem cuttings

Cardinal Plant (Lobelia cardinalis) is a striking stem plant with broad, oval leaves that range from bright green to reddish-purple, especially under strong light. Its bold color and structure make it a great choice for midground planting in aquascaped tanks.

• Light Level: Medium to High (Fluval 3.0 recommended for compact growth and deeper color)
• Placement: Rooted in substrate
• Fertilization: Benefits from root tabs and regular liquid dosing with Easy Green or Seachem Flourish
• CO₂: Not required, but enhances coloration and bushier growth
• Notes: Can be trimmed and replanted to maintain shape; grows taller in low light and more compact in high light

Water Sprite (Indian Fern) is a fast-growing, feathery green plant that can be grown rooted or floating. Its finely divided leaves provide excellent cover for fry and shrimp while helping absorb excess nutrients in the water.

• Light Level: Low to Medium (AquaSky or Fluval 3.0 suitable)
• Placement: Can be rooted in substrate or floated at the surface
• Fertilization: Benefits from liquid ferts like Easy Green or Seachem Flourish
• CO₂: Not required
• Notes: Grows quickly—great for nutrient control, shrimp tanks, and creating a natural jungle look

Anubias ‘Nangi’ is a hybrid variety that combines traits of Anubias barteri and Anubias nana. It features slightly longer, oval-shaped leaves with a clean, vibrant green color and stays compact, making it a great midground choice for smaller tanks or detailed aquascapes.

• Light Level: Low to Medium (AquaSky or Fluval 3.0 suitable)
• Placement: Attach to driftwood or rock; do not bury rhizome in substrate
• Fertilization: Benefits from liquid fertilizers like Easy Green or Seachem Flourish
• CO₂: Not required, but supports stronger growth in high-light setups
• Notes: Hardy and slow-growing—ideal for low-maintenance tanks and shaded aquascapes

Java Fern is a classic, hardy aquarium plant known for its broad green leaves and low-maintenance care. Perfect for beginners, it thrives when attached to wood or rock and adds natural structure to any aquascape.

• Light Level: Low to Medium (AquaSky or Fluval 3.0 suitable)
• Placement: Attach to driftwood or rock; do not bury rhizome in substrate
• Fertilization: Benefits from liquid ferts like Easy Green or Seachem Flourish
• CO₂: Not required
• Notes: Slow-growing and durable—great for shrimp tanks, low-tech setups, and shaded areas

Temple Plant (Hygrophila corymbosa) is a tall, fast-growing stem plant with broad green leaves and a bold, upright growth habit. Ideal for background placement, it helps absorb excess nutrients and provides excellent cover in freshwater aquariums.

• Light Level: Medium (AquaSky or Fluval 3.0 both suitable)
• Placement: Rooted in substrate
• Fertilization: Benefits from root tabs and liquid ferts like Easy Green or Seachem Flourish
• CO₂: Not required, but promotes faster and bushier growth
• Notes: Trim regularly and replant cuttings to maintain shape and fullness—great for beginner and community tanks