Do you know what is better than having live plants in your aquarium? Having flowers in it!
Yes, you’ve heard that right. If you get one of many aquarium plants that flower, you’ll have a beautiful garden inside your tank!
Despite what some people think, not all aquatic plants will flower, even in their natural habitat. This makes the plants I’ll talk about today all the more special.
If you love fish, greens, and flowers, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll give you my favorite 25 aquarium plants that flower, and give you a few tips and trips about their care. This way you can start your own flowering plant collection!
Let’s get started:
1. Anubias
Anubias is a very common plant, mostly because it isn’t favored by plant-eating fish such as goldfish or silver dollars. This is due to its tough leaves that don’t seem to make a tasty meal.
From time to time, anubias will produce tiny flowers that resemble those of anthurium or peace lily. This is a sign that a plant is happy and that you’ve provided it with proper care.
If you’ve planted anubias near the waterline, they might even flower overwater! However, this doesn’t seem to happen as often as underwater flowering.
This is one of the easiest plants when it comes to care and maintenance. The only issue is its fairly slow growth.
| Scientific name: | Anubias barteri |
| Light requirement: | Low |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Maximum height: | 16 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Any substrate will do |
| CO2: | Optional supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Doesn’t require fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Underwater and overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
2. Water Wisteria
Next, we have one of my favorite plants of all time: Water wisteria. This is an easy-to-care beginners plant that can be found in most pet stores.
Despite its popularity, not many aquarists are aware that water wisteria can flower, although this seldom happens. Throughout my years of caring for it, I have only observed it once, when I have forgotten about my wisteria for so long that it grew above the water line. I had a few lilac flowers for a few days!
In nature, however, water wisterias will flower much more often. It’s probably because their growth isn’t controlled.
| Scientific name: | Hygrophila difformis |
| Light requirement: | Moderate to high |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 20 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Sand or gravel |
| CO2: | Doesn’t require supplements |
| Nutrition: | Doesn’t require fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
3. Red Tiger Lotus
Red tiger lotus is usually bought for its bright red leaves that are unlike no other. Not many people truly care whether this plant flowers when they first buy it!
This lotus produces beautiful white flowers that compliment its crimson leaves well. While many people have reported their red tiger lotus not flowering, I have never had issues with mine. You just need to allow the leaves to float above water!
While this isn’t the fastest growing plant you can get, it can still become too large for many tanks. Pruning is necessary to keep it at adequate size. Otherwise, you are risking blocking the light for your fish – although your crowntail betta might appreciate it.
| Scientific name: | Nymphaea zenkeri |
| Light requirement: | Moderate to high |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Maximum height: | 35 inches |
| CO2: | Doesn’t require CO2 supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Fertilization is advised |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
4. Madagascar Lace
Madagascar lace is one of the most beautiful aquarium plants that flower. However, it can be a bit tricky to maintain, as it needs to go into a dormant period. This makes lots of beginners think that their plant has died and throw it away.
With proper care, Madagascar lace will often produce lots of tiny purple flowers right above the waterline. Once this happens, any tank will become a true sight for the sore eyes!
If you have knowledge about its dormancy period and know how to provide it with enough CO2 and proper nutrients, you’ll have some of the most unique freshwater plants out there.
| Scientific name: | Aponogeton Madagascariensis |
| Light requirement: | Moderate to high |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Maximum height: | 20 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Nutrient-rich substrate |
| CO2: | Requires supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Requires fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Moderate |
5. Amazon Sword
Amazon sword is a common plant, mostly due to its beautiful appearance. It can serve both as a beautiful decoration and a hiding spot for shy fish or shrimp!
This is one of the most grateful plants when it comes to flowering. Amazon sword will produce tall, white flowers all year long! Almost everyone who has ever owned an Amazon sword has witnessed its gorgeous blossom.
Of course, this means the plant requires lots of nutrients. Otherwise, its growth might be stunned.
While Amazon sword is easy to care for, be very careful with what fish you put inside a tank with it. Plant-eating fish such as goldfish or tiger barbs seem to love this plant the most!
| Scientific name: | Echinodorus grisebachii |
| Light requirement: | Moderate |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Maximum height: | 20 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Nutrient-rich substrate |
| CO2: | Optional supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Fertilization is required |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
6. Aponogeton Ulvaceus
Yet another gorgeous bulb herb from the aponogeton family, these plants are known for their bright green, long, curly leaves.
With intense lighting, larger aponogetons might produce long stems with lots of white flowers. They won’t go dormant after flowering like many other plants – quite the opposite. Some aponogetons I had went flowering for about three months.
While this plant is fairly easy to care for, it should be kept in a nutrient-rich substrate to get all the necessary micronutrients.
Also, if you have dwarf shrimp species, such as amano shrimp or blue dream shrimp, don’t throw away dead or rotten aponogeton leaves right away. They can be an excellent snack!
| Scientific name: | Aponogeton ulvaceus |
| Light requirement: | Low to moderate |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | Up to 18 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Nutrient-rich substrate |
| CO2: | Doesn’t require supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Optional fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
7. Red Leaf Ludwigia
Red leaf ludwigia is one of those plants that doesn’t require flowers to make all eyes turn – but the fact that it does flower makes everything better. Also, this plant has some mild sedative and analgesic properties!
If you allow it to grow above the waterline, it will sprout tiny, yellow flowers. You can cut these flowers if you like. If you let them be, the flowers will eventually dry up and the seeds will drop into the water. This is how you get new plants.
The biggest issue I’ve had with this plant is maintaining the bright red color of its leaves – something rather common with most red aquarium plants. To achieve this, you need to provide your plant with well-rounded fertilization.
| Scientific name: | Ludwigia repens |
| Light requirement: | Moderate to high |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 20 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Nutrient-rich substrate |
| CO2: | Optional supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Fertilization is advised |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
8. Giant Hygrophila
Despite its name, giant hygrophila is not one of the largest plants for your tank. This doesn’t make it any less gorgeous! It is also one of the plants known for growing out of the water.
This swamp plant will often flower in nature. In the tank, however, the flowering happens sparsely. If you’re lucky enough, your hygrophila will award you with large purple flowers.
While easy to care for, hygrophila does have some requirements you don’t need to think about with other plants. For example, if the water is too cold or if you forget about supplementation, its leaves might yellow and fall off!
| Scientific name: | Hygrophila corymbosa |
| Light requirement: | Moderate to high |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 24 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Fine gravel |
| CO2: | Requires supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Requires fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy to moderate |
9. Hornwort
Hornwort is yet another rather common plant in the tanks. Novice fishkeepers love it as it can withstand even the poorest water conditions. Not just that, but it might help improve the water quality, as it’s considered one of the best oxygenators out there!
While the plant itself is fairly rough in appearance, hornwort will sometimes produce tiny, gentle flowers that look like succulents.
Hornwort is one of the easiest plants to take care of. It doesn’t require any additional CO2, fertilization, or even substrate!
| Scientific name: | Ceratophyllum demersum |
| Light requirement: | Moderate |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 10 feet |
| Substrate requirements: | None |
| CO2: | Doesn’t require supplements |
| Nutrition: | Doesn’t require fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Underwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
10. Rotala Rotundifolia
While its name might be a tongue twister, rotala rotundifolia is one of the best plants for beginners. It comes in several color varieties and it’s almost effortless to care for!
This plant is really colorful, even without its flowers. Depending on the nutrient levels, it might grow to be lighter or darker in shade. When in bloom, it will produce small, pink or fuschia flowers.
The biggest issue with these plants is that they’re very gentle. Bottom-dwelling burrowing fish, such as kribensis cichlid, might pose a real threat to their roots!
It’s important to note that rotala rotundifolia is considered an invasive plant. Releasing it from the aquarium into the nature will result in a fine.
| Scientific name: | Rotala rotundifolia |
| Light requirement: | Moderate |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 12 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Sand or gravel |
| CO2: | Supplementation is advised |
| Nutrition: | Fertilization is advised |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
11. Bucephalandra
While this plant isn’t as popular as some other plants on my list, it is still worth mentioning due to its ability to survive in most environments. Even complete beginners will be able to keep it with ease!
Bucephalandra can grow both underwater and above the water line. If you allow it to grow overwater, it will produce white or pink flowers.
If you notice your bucephalandra has suddenly lost all of its leaves, don’t panic. This is just a survival tactic that occurs when the water parameters have changed. Your plant will come back as soon as it adjusts to new living conditions.
| Scientific name: | Bucephalandra |
| Light requirement: | Low to high |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Maximum height: | 10 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Sand, driftwood or rocks |
| CO2: | Doesn’t require supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Fertilization is advised |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
12. Banana Lily
While it’s also known as the aquarium banana plant, I think it’s easy to guess that banana lily is no banana at all. Instead, it was named due to the banana-shaped tubers at the plant’s base.
When the water conditions are ideal, the plant will reward you with small, white flowers. Even if this doesn’t happen, its lily pads are gorgeous enough on their own.
These plants prefer entirely stagnant waters. Forget keeping them in stream-like tanks! Sure, these might work great for your vampire shrimp, but a banana lily won’t be able to root properly in it.
| Scientific name: | Nymphoides aquatica |
| Light requirement: | Low to high |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Maximum height: | 18-20 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Nutrient-rich substrate |
| CO2: | Doesn’t require supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Requires fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
13. Dwarf Water Lily
If you have fish that prefer to stay in the shade, such as cardinal tetras, dwarf water lilies might be a perfect choice. They can provide your fish with a hiding spot, and you with a gorgeously decorated tank!
Not just that, but they will bloom quite often. The flowers they produce are rather colorful, and can greatly vary in shade. I have seen dwarf water lilies flower in white, yellow, red, lilac, even bicolor
This plant requires a bit more care than most others. For example, you will need to provide it with lots of fertilization and to prune its wilting leaves.
| Scientific name: | Nymphaea leibergii |
| Light requirement: | Moderate |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Maximum height: | 6 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Heavy soil substrate |
| CO2: | Supplementation is advised |
| Nutrition: | Requires fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Moderate |
14. Fanwort
Fanwort (also known as cabomba) is one of the fastest growing aquarium plants that flower you can get. It is often confused with hornwort, but the main difference is that fanwort looks fluffier and softer.
This plant produces overwater flowers in white, yellow, or purple colors. They are tiny, but look gorgeous on top of this bright green plant.
Unfortunately, you cannot keep fanwort with herbivorous fish. Its soft leaves make a tasty dinner, so this gentle plant won’t last long.
Just like a few other plants from this list, fanwort is considered an invasive species. Be very careful where you dispose of it.
| Scientific name: | Cabomba caroliniana |
| Light requirement: | Moderate to high |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 20 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Gravel |
| CO2: | Optional supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Optional fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
15. Cryptocoryne
Yet another amazing plant for beginners, cryptocoryne isn’t too popular (although I really don’t see a good reason why). This gorgeous plant has curly foliage in various shades of green, brown, and even rad, that is like no other.
While this plant can grow both above and underwater, if you want it to flower, you need to allow it to reach the surface. Once this happens, the cryptocoryne will produce a single white or yellow flower every now and then.
Cryptocoryne is almost effortless to care for. It is rather resilient, and most fish will avoid eating it. It doesn’t require any pruning, and even if it never flowers it will still make your aquarium a more beautiful place.
| Scientific name: | Cryptocoryne wendtii |
| Light requirement: | Low to moderate |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Maximum height: | 10 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Sand or gravel |
| CO2: | Supplementation is advised |
| Nutrition: | Optional fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
16. Water Lettuce
Also known as water cabbage, this is a tasty-looking floating plant with a few rather unique traits. For example, its roots grow long and out of the substrate, creating tunnels and hiding spots for tiny fish.
Believe it or not, but this plant might have some industrial benefits in the future. For example, there are attempts to utilize it for water remediations and biofuels! It also has some medical properties.
They rarely flower, but when they do, the blossoms are fairly small and lavender or purple. The flowers will often stay hidden underneath the leaves
While water lettuce can grow up to 10 inches in ponds, it stays rather small if kept in an aquarium. However, its long roots might become a problem, as they can get caught onto something and submerge the plant.
| Scientific name: | Pistia stratiotes |
| Light requirement: | High |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 10 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | None |
| CO2: | Supplementation is advised |
| Nutrition: | Requires fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Moderate |
17. Water Hyacinth
While most people would grow water hyacinth in the pond, I have encountered a few people growing it in larger tanks. Considering that this plant can absorb ammonia in large amounts, it’s easy to see why fish keepers would think this is a good idea.
Water hyacinths have glossy, thick leaves and large, purple or lavender flowers. They are gorgeous to look at, but can easily grow out of control and entirely block the light from your tank!
This means that pruning is necessary, as well as some additional care.
Water hyacinth is considered an invasive species in the US. If you want to get rid of your plant – compost it.
| Scientific name: | Pontederia crassipes |
| Light requirement: | Moderate to high |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 3 feet |
| Substrate requirements: | Nutrient-rich substrate |
| CO2: | Optional supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Requires fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Moderate |
18. Dwarf Sagittaria Subulata
Do you want to grow grass in your tank? Dwarf sagittaria is a perfect choice for you! I personally love growing an aquarium carpet out of this plant as it looks so beautiful and unique. Not just that, but it might appear reddish under specific lighting!
It might be challenging to get your dwarf sagittaria to flower, but when this happens, it will produce tiny, white flowers above the surface of the water.
This plant might be a bit challenging to keep as it requires lots of fertilization. However, if you manage to tackle this, you will be surprised just how quickly it can grow and propagate!
| Scientific name: | Sagittaria subulata |
| Light requirement: | Moderate |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 20 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Nutrient-rich substrate |
| CO2: | Optional supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Requires fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Hard |
19. Ruffled Sword
Ruffled swords look similar to Amazon swords except for the fact that their leaves are – you’ve guessed it! – ruffled. Also, unlike Amazon sword, ruffled sword isn’t considered tasty by most fish, so you can keep it with most fish companions.
These plants produce fairly large overwater flowers in various colors, including white, pink, red, and purple. The shape of the flowers might resemble gladiolus.
Ruffled swords are fairly easy to care for, although they require lots of iron supplementations and CO2 injections from time to time.
| Scientific name: | Echinodorus martii |
| Light requirement: | Moderate |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Maximum height: | 20 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Nutrient-rich substrate |
| CO2: | Optional supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Requires supplementation |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
20. Radican Sword
Despite what you might think, Echinodorus muricatus or radican sword is fairly different from similarly-named ruffled sword and Amazon sword. The main reason behind this is its size, but also its longer stems and rounder leaves.
This hardy plant will sometimes produce tiny flowers that look a bit like white cherry blossoms. These flowers usually grow overwater, but underwater flowering can also happen. However, most people still keep this plant due to its large foliage.
While radican sword can handle many different water conditions, it’s highly susceptible to sudden changes, especially in temperature.
| Scientific name: | Echinodorus muricatus |
| Light requirement: | Moderate |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 20 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Nutrient-rich substrate |
| CO2: | Doesn’t require supplements |
| Nutrition: | Requires fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater and underwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy to moderate |
21. Orchid Lily
If you want a plant that will not only flower, but also enthrall everyone with its gorgeous foliage and overall appearance, orchid lily might be the right plant for you.
While the upper parts of the leaves are olive green, the bottom parts are red or violet. This color combination is what makes everyone fall in love with this plant! The star-like flowers are white, yellow, green, or purple in color.
If you want to keep orchid lilies, you better know how to get rid of snails in your aquarium. While other herbivores might also try to munch on it, this plant seems to be a snail magnet!
One of the most beautiful aquarium plants, orchid lily has become endangered in parts of its natural habitat.
| Scientific name: | Barclaya longifolia |
| Light requirement: | Moderate |
| Growth rate: | Medium |
| Maximum height: | 32 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Fine gravel |
| CO2: | Supplementation is advised |
| Nutrition: | Requires fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Moderate |
22. Duckweed
Duckweed isn’t actually a single plant species, but rather a subfamily of aquatic plants that is sometimes known as water lentils – yes, as their name suggests, some are edible. All have similar requirements and appearance.
Duckweed is one of the tiniest flowering plants known. Many species have their white flowers so small that they are almost microscopic!
While duckweed is not as common in tanks, some fish keepers like to use it for nutrient control. However, due to its fast reproduction rate, it can quickly spread, which can result in nutrient deficiency.
Fortunately, if you keep it with herbivorous fish, such as oscars or some plecos, their growth can be controlled in a natural way. Duckweed is tasty for fish, as well!
| Scientific name: | Lemnoideae |
| Light requirement: | Low to High |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | ¼ of an inch |
| Substrate requirements: | None |
| CO2: | Doesn’t require CO2 supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Doesn’t require fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | High |
23. Whorled Pennywort
One of the lowest plants from the Hydrocotyle family, whorled pennywort is commonly used as a carpet plant or a foreground plant.
It is typically kept for its round, unique-looking leaves, but with proper care, it can produce a spike with a few tiny white or yellow flowers – usually no more than 12.
This is a semi-aquatic plant, meaning it can grow in both submersed and emersed environments. While some people prefer how this plant looks in a pot, I love growing it in my betta tank.
| Scientific name: | Hydrocotyle verticillata |
| Light requirement: | Moderate |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Maximum height: | 3 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Any substrate will work |
| CO2: | Doesn’t require supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Fertilization is recommended |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Moderate |
24. Aponogeton Crispus
If you’re looking to get an easy-to-care aquarium plant that flowers frequently, aponogeton crispus might be the perfect plant for you.
This fast-growing plant produces lots of tiny white to purple flowers on a long stem that extends out of the water. When you combine these delicate and beautiful flowers with the long and semi-transparent aponogeton’s leaves, you get a truly gorgeous sight.
The only thing this plant requires is lots of nutrients. As it gets most of its nutrients from the roots, make sure to keep it in a nutrient-rich substrate. Root tabs are another option if you’d like to make sure the plant is properly fed.
This is also the most common and the least expensive of all plants from the aponogeton genus. If this is your first time dealing with this plant family, you might want to start with this one.
| Scientific name: | Aponogeton crispus |
| Light requirement: | Moderate |
| Growth rate: | Fast |
| Maximum height: | 10 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | Nutrient-rich substrate |
| CO2: | Optional CO2 supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Requires fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
25. Peace Lily
Did you know that you can grow peace lilies in your tank? Yes, the same peace lilies you grow in pots inside your home.
These beautiful indoor plants love humidity, low light, and lots of water. This makes them a perfect choice for your tank!
These plants will grow overwater, producing large, arrow-shaped leaves, and large, colorful flowers. These flowers can come in many colors, but they are usually white.
Don’t worry – peace lilies are perfectly safe for your fish. I have kept one in my king crowntail betta tank. Fish love swimming between its long roots, and the leaves provide perfect shade for all tank inhabitants.
If that’s not enough reason to get one – NASA considers peace lily as one of the best plants to keep your air clean.
| Scientific name: | Spathiphyllum |
| Light requirement: | Low |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Maximum height: | 40 inches |
| Substrate requirements: | None |
| CO2: | Doesn’t require supplementation |
| Nutrition: | Doesn’t require fertilization |
| Type of flowering: | Overwater |
| Care difficulty: | Easy |
The Bottom Line
There are many reasons why someone would keep live plants in their tank. From providing their fish with hiding spots, keeping the water oxygenated and clean, to giving their plant-eating fish a healthy snack, no one can deny the benefits of proper vegetation in an aquarium.
While most of us don’t really care about what happens above the tank’s surface, there is something truly special about aquarium plants that flower. Maybe it’s just that feeling of pride and joy we aquarists have when we see something thrive in our tank.
Just make sure to do proper research before you bring a new plant to your aquarium. Not all plants are easy to care for. Find the ones that suit your (and your fish’s!) needs the best, and start enjoying an entirely new part of the hobby.
Good luck!
You know that calming feeling of tranquility and thrill while looking at a gorgeous, perfectly functioning tank? That’s why I became an aquarist.
To make a very long story short, I’m Noah, and I’ve started this site aiming to share the most helpful advice on creating thriving habitats for fish and underwater animals.