Light Requirements of Aquarium Plants

Sufficient light is one of the main things often lacking in an aquarium that has not been specifically set up for plants. Different plants will require different amounts of light to thrive. The list below categorises some of the more commonly available plants in general groups based on their light requirements.

Low-moderate - These plants should grow ok with only standard aquarium lighting, i.e. one fluorescent tube, although some will grow better with more light.

Anubias species

Cryptocoryne species (most)

Echinodorous species - Amazon swords (some)

Microsorium pteropus (Java Fern)

Vesicularia dubyana (Java Moss)

Bright - These plants will require additional lighting to thrive, i.e. at least one additional fluorescent tube.

Ceratopteris thalictroides (Indian fern)

Egeria densa (Waterweed)

Hygrophila difformis (Water wisteria)

Hygrophila polysperma (Giant/green/Indian Hygrophila)

Ludwigia species

Myriophyllum species

Nymphaea stellata (Water lily)

Rotala species

Vallisneria species

Very Bright - These plants will require strong lighting, i.e. at least 1-2 additional fluorescent tubes, preferably high light tubes with reflectors (particularly important for deeper tanks).

Bacopa species

Cabomba species

Rotala macaranda

 

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