Shop Live Aquatic Plants for Freshwater Aquariums
Transform your tank into a lush underwater garden with our hand-picked selection of live aquatic plants for freshwater aquariums. From iconic beginner favorites like Anubias, Java Fern, and Cryptocoryne to demanding carpet plants and vibrant stem plants, every specimen is grown under controlled conditions, inspected before shipping, and carefully packed for safe arrival.
Whether you're starting a low-tech beginner tank or building a high-end aquascape, the right live plants make your aquarium healthier, cleaner, and more beautiful.
Live Aquarium Plants • Low-Light Plants • Floating Plants • Carpet Plants • Stem Plants for Sale
🌿 Shop by Plant Type
- ✔ Low-light, easy-care plants — Anubias, Java Fern, Cryptocoryne, Bucephalandra; perfect for beginners
- ✔ Floating aquarium plants — Red Root Floaters, Amazon Frogbit, Salvinia; natural shade and nitrate control
- ✔ Carpet plants — Dwarf Hairgrass, Monte Carlo, S. repens for foreground aquascaping
- ✔ Stem plants — Ludwigia, Rotala, Bacopa for vibrant midground/background color
- ✔ Rhizome & moss plants — Java Moss, Christmas Moss, Anubias on driftwood
🐟 Perfect for Planted, Community & Shrimp Tanks
Live plants pair beautifully with peaceful fish and invertebrates. Try them with tetras, freshwater shrimp, snails, and other community livestock. Plants provide natural cover, reduce algae by outcompeting it for nutrients, and create a more stable, healthier environment for everything else in the tank.
⭐ Why Add Live Plants to Your Aquarium?
🌱 Naturally absorb ammonia, nitrate, and other waste compounds
💨 Oxygenate the water during the day
🐟 Provide cover, breeding sites, and natural behavior cues
🎨 Beautiful, ever-changing aquascapes
🛡 Help prevent algae outbreaks by outcompeting it
Freshwater Aquarium Plants for Every Planted Aquarium
Choosing freshwater aquarium plants starts with the size of your fish tank, available lighting and desired layout. A low-maintenance planted aquarium can combine Anubias, Java fern and moss with easy stem plants, while a brighter setup may support colorful species and foreground carpets. Match each plant to its light and nutrient needs rather than assuming every species grows in the same conditions.
Popular Aquarium Plants: Anubias, Ludwigia and Lotus
Anubias barteri is a slow-growing rhizome plant that can be attached to driftwood or stone. Keep the rhizome above the substrate to avoid rot. Ludwigia repens is a versatile stem plant often used in the middle or background of freshwater aquascapes; stronger light and adequate nutrients can encourage redder growth.
The red tiger lotus (Nymphaea zenkeri, frequently sold under that trade name) is a striking bulb plant with broad reddish leaves that may reach the surface. A dwarf aquarium lily, often sold as Nymphaea stellata or a related trade form, can also add dramatic leaves to a planted tank. Confirm the plant identity and expected size when purchasing because common trade names vary among suppliers.
Floating Plant Care and Low-Maintenance Setups
A floating plant such as Amazon frogbit, Salvinia or red root floaters can add shade, offer cover for fish and shrimp, and take up dissolved nutrients. Leave open surface areas for gas exchange and feeding, and avoid excessive surface agitation for species that dislike constantly wet leaves. For low maintenance aquariums, begin with a modest lighting schedule, test water regularly and trim plants as they grow.
Visit Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne to compare available plants and ask about specialty varieties that may be available by order. Plant selection changes with shipments, so the species discussed above are not all guaranteed to be in stock.
⚠️ Light, Substrate & CO₂
Most plants we sell thrive under standard LED aquarium lighting. Carpet and high-color stem plants benefit from stronger light and CO₂. Pair your plants with quality aquarium substrate — aquasoil for root-feeders, or inert sand/gravel for rhizome plants like Anubias and Java Fern (which must NOT be buried).
🛠 Planted Tank Setup Tips
- ✔ Light — 8–10 hours per day on a timer
- ✔ Substrate — Plant-friendly aquasoil for stem and root-feeders
- ✔ Filtration — Canister or strong HOB; see our aquarium filtration collection
- ✔ Fertilization — Liquid ferts for water-column feeders; root tabs for heavy root-feeders
- ✔ Patience — Most aquarium plants take 2–4 weeks to fully acclimate and start new growth
📍 Shop Local or Online
Based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, we ship live aquatic plants nationwide, carefully packed for safe arrival. Locals can stop in to see plants growing in tanks and hand-pick favorites in person.
🔍 Frequently Asked Questions
What aquarium plants are best for beginners?
Start with Anubias, Java Fern, Cryptocoryne, and Amazon Sword — all are low-light, low-maintenance, and forgiving. Browse our beginner plants and low-light plants collections for the full beginner-friendly lineup.
Do I need special lighting for live plants?
Most of our plants do well under standard aquarium LEDs. Carpet plants and demanding stem plants benefit from stronger lighting and supplemental CO₂.
Do live plants help control algae?
Yes — healthy live plants compete with algae for nutrients and light, so a well-planted tank typically has far less algae than a bare one.
Are your plants snail-free?
We do our best to rinse and inspect every plant, but a quick dip in a plant-safe rinse is recommended if you want to be 100% sure no hitchhikers come along.
Can I keep live plants with goldfish or large cichlids?
Some plants survive with these fish, but most will be eaten or uprooted. Stick to tough rhizome plants like Anubias attached to driftwood, or choose floating plants instead.
Do live plants have a Live Arrival Guarantee?
Our DOA guarantee is for livestock (fish, shrimp, and snails) and follows the terms on our Live Arrival Guarantee Policy page. Plants are different: they’re packed with care and inspected before shipping, but it’s normal for some plants to look limp or “melt back” after transit and then regrow over the following weeks. If a plant arrives in clearly poor condition, email us photos within 24 hours of delivery and we’ll make it right.
