Floating Aquarium Plants for Sale
Shop our selection of floating aquarium plants, the easy, fast-growing plants that drift across the water's surface and transform a tank almost overnight. Floating plants soften harsh lighting, soak up excess nutrients to starve out algae, and give fish and fry a sense of security and shade. They're some of the most beginner-friendly plants in the hobby, since most need no substrate, no CO2, and very little fuss. At Tropical Treasures in Cheyenne we keep healthy, pest-conscious floating plants ready to drop straight into your tank.
Floating plants pair beautifully with the rest of our live aquatic plants, and they're a favorite finishing touch for nano tanks and shrimp setups alike.
Popular Floating Plants
Our floating-plant lineup rotates with availability, but you'll often find favorites like:
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Amazon frogbit — lush rosettes with long trailing roots that fry and shrimp love.
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Anacharis (elodea) — a fast-growing stem plant that can float or be planted, and a nutrient sponge.
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Duckweed & salvinia — tiny, ultra-fast surface coverers (a little goes a long way).
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Water lettuce & red root floaters — showy floaters that add texture and color.
For pairing ideas, see our guide to the best nano fish for planted tanks.
Floating Plant Care Tips
Floating plants are about as low-maintenance as aquarium plants get, but a few habits keep them thriving. Most prefer calm or gently moving water, since strong surface agitation can sink or damage delicate roots, so consider a surface skimmer or spray-bar adjustment if your filter churns the top. They feed directly from the water column, so they grow fastest in a well-stocked or lightly fertilized tank. Thin them regularly so they don't block all the light from your lower-growing plants, and keep the water level a touch below the rim to maintain humidity for plants like frogbit.
Best Tanks for Floating Plants
Floating plants shine in almost any peaceful setup. They're ideal in shrimp tanks, where the dangling roots become a feeding ground, and in betta or nano-fish tanks that benefit from shade and cover. They also help with a snail clean-up crew by competing with algae for nutrients. Just avoid pairing them with large, plant-uprooting fish that may shred or eat them.
FAQ: Floating Aquarium Plants
Do floating plants need special lighting or CO2? No. One of their biggest advantages is that they grow well under standard aquarium lighting with no CO2 needed, since they take carbon directly from the air at the surface.
Will floating plants take over my tank? Some can, especially duckweed and salvinia. Scoop out excess every week or two to keep growth in check and to keep light reaching your other plants.
Are floating plants good for fish? Yes. They provide shade, reduce stress, give fry and shrimp cover, and help absorb nitrates, which supports better water quality between water changes.
How do I add floating plants to my tank? Just rinse them gently and set them on the surface. There's no planting required, though it helps to keep them away from strong filter flow until they establish.
Stop by Tropical Treasures in Cheyenne or call us at 307-369-1118 and we'll help you choose floating plants that fit your lighting and livestock. We're happy to recommend the right mix for shade, cover, or algae control.
