Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)
The classic beginner plant. Tied to driftwood or rocks (do not bury the rhizome). Tolerates extremely low light, grows slowly, multiplies via plantlets that form on leaf tips.
Varieties: standard, Windelov (lace edges), Trident (narrow lobes), Narrow Leaf.
Anubias (Anubias barteri, A. nana)
Tied to driftwood or rocks. Extremely slow but bulletproof. Grows in any water, any light. Each leaf lasts 1–2 years.
Varieties: nana (small leaves), nana petite (tiny), barteri (large leaves), coffeefolia (textured leaves).
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Root-planted. Tolerates wide range of conditions. May "melt" after planting (drops all leaves) but regrows from roots within 2–3 weeks.
Varieties: wendtii green, brown, red, tropica.
Amazon Sword (Echinodorus bleheri)
Root-planted. Grows large (12–18 inches). Heavy root feeder — needs root tabs every 4–6 months.
Centerpiece plant for medium and large tanks.
Vallisneria spiralis
Root-planted in sand or gravel. Grows tall (12–24 inches), spreads via runners across the tank floor.
Background plant. Trim to height by cutting at the substrate.
Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
Attaches to anything. Forms shaggy carpets over driftwood and rocks. Excellent fry hiding place.
Trim with scissors to maintain shape.
Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei)
Like Java moss but with branched, frond-like growth pattern (looks like miniature pine trees). More attractive but slower growing.
Bucephalandra
Tied to driftwood or rock (like Anubias). Wide variety of leaf shapes and colors (red, blue, brown, green). Very slow growing.
Premium plant — $5–30 per small piece for rare varieties.
Cryptocoryne parva
Tiny crypt — 2 inches max. The closest thing to a low-tech foreground plant.
Plant in clusters of 5–10 small plants.
Hygrophila polysperma
Stem plant that grows in low-tech (most stems don't). Grows fast, uses up nitrates, helps prevent algae.
Trim weekly to keep bushy.
Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
Fast-growing stem with lacy leaves. Excellent ammonia and nitrate absorber.
Tolerates a wide range of light.
Marimo Moss Ball
Spherical algae ball (technically not a plant but treated as one). Lives 100+ years if cared for. Roll occasionally to maintain shape.
Bulletproof. Even goldfish tanks tolerate them.