15 Best Plants for Betta Fish Tanks: A Curated List

Do betta fish like plants in their tank? Actually, bettas LOVE plants and decorations in their tanks! They will sleep on the plants, hide in castles, swim through holes, play in the bubbles from an airstone, and occupy themselves in a multitude of other ways. So what plants do betta fish like? Make sure you only purchase suitable plants for betta fish and avoid some items containing paints and dyes that could be harmful to your bettas.

Live Aquatic Plants Or Fake Plants For Betta Fish?

Betta fish have a lung-like labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe in the air above the water line and not just through the water. Because of this ability to breathe above the waterline, betta fish are often found in their natural habitat swimming in the shallower water between water plants, rising to the water’s surface to feed on larvae and plankton.

When introducing your Betta into a fish tank or fishbowl, it would be a great idea to create an environment similar to its natural habitat. In addition to the fact that a recreated natural habitat would be beautiful to look at, it will also help to keep your betta happy and healthy. All it takes is a bit of planning and then adding appropriate plants and ornaments into the betta’s artificial habitat.

When recreating the betta’s habitat you can choose between using plastic ornamental plants and real plants, which help generate oxygen in the water for your betta’s usage. Here are a few tips on what plants you can safely put in your aquarium for your betta fish’s enjoyment.

Artificial Plants

Beginners sometimes begin with artificial plants for their betta fish and to enhance the visual attractiveness of their tank. Even people who have no desire to care for live plants will find this absolutely acceptable. Artificial plants are usually made of silk or plastic and can be had from between $1.00 – $20.00 USD at pet stores, depending on the realism and the size of the plant. 

Plastic plants are generally cheaper, but silk plants are better for bettas because they don’t tear a betta’s fins the way the hard plastics do. Those plants move and behave the most like living plants. They are not at risk of decaying, dying, being eaten by tank mates, or transmitting illness, and they are reasonably cheap. They do not, however, have the beneficial features of real plants, such as oxygenating the water and absorbing betta waste.

Besides the cheap prices, another good thing about artificial plants for betta fish is that they do not create dirt. Fake plants for betta fish require no maintenance, so you don’t need to care about lighting levels and you can easily take them out of the tank to clean when needed.  

Also, plastic plants do not decay anywhere near as quickly as natural plants. Plastic plants are easier to come by and a greater variety can be had. If you decide to use plastic plants for your betta’s tank, make sure that you clean these every time you change the water.

In brief, there are many different types of fake plastic and silk plants available, but you should choose some that look like live plants to create a more realistic betta fish environment. Just be careful not to overdo it and make it difficult for your betta to reach the surface for feeding and oxygen.

Natural Plants

One of the more common ornamental objects for betta fish tanks is natural water plants. There are many different kinds of water plants to choose from. Some types are more suitable for this breed of aquatic creatures than others. If you do decide to follow the natural plant route, it may be a good start to ensure that these are actually aquatic and not poisonous to your betta at all.

The roots of natural aquatic plants usually grow downward into the water. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the roots. If these start cramping the Betta’s movement due to its size or take on a soggy brown look, you would be well advised to cut them back. If the plant looks as though it could be dying, it would be best to remove it from the tank altogether.

Another disadvantage of using real plants for betta fish is that if the water conditions become improper for your plants, they might actually suck the oxygen out of the water rather than adding it, creating a poor scenario for the fish. When live plants are first brought into your tank, they might transfer illness and parasites, especially if they originated from another tank with a disease outbreak.

Time To Pick

In general, you can choose fake plants for betta fish tanks if you do not want to spend much effort on proper cleaning and trimming the plants. Fake plants are a simple choice that lets you mix and match plants to obtain a desired aesthetic, but they don’t help with keeping the nutrients in your fish tank balanced. We ourselves prefer to use live plants for my betta tank. 

Here’s why:

Most live plants for betta tanks are practically as simple to care for as artificial ones. That may sound strange, but it’s true. A wide range of live aquatic fish plants requires very little care. All you have to do is put them in your tank and give them a trim every now and again. There will also require little watering, fertilizing, or anything else that would dissuade individuals from having a regular plant and gardening experience.

Believe us when we claim that it is something that everyone can do. We wouldn’t call ourselves “green thumbs,” but we’ve had a lot of success with natural betta fish plants over the last few years. Why a live plant is worthwhile is quite simple: they help the tank more. Those live plants not only serve to clean and filter the water, but also appear to increase fish involvement.

How To Select Live Plants And Fake Plants For Your Tank

Below are some tips that you can pick the best plants for your betta fish. We will provide you with both guides on selecting live plants and fake plants. 

Lighting Requirements Of Live Aquatic Plants

Light is a necessary component for living plants since it is required for photosynthesis, which converts carbon dioxide to energy. However, different varieties of plants require varying quantities of light and periods of exposure to light each day.

For instance, plants that are native to tropical regions with approximately 12 hours of sunshine per day often require a high exposure to light for around 12 hours per day. Therefore, if your fish tank is far from a window, or if the sun only shines for a few hours daily in the winter, it’s necessary to use LED aquarium lights to supplement natural light to those plants.

Plants endemic to cooler waters, on the other hand, often thrive on seasonal fluctuations in light duration. Depending on where you live, you may be able to just leave the tank near a window and benefit from the natural fluctuation in the sunshine with the seasons.

In addition, it is also vital to take into account the amount of light required by different plants.

Plants that grow near the surface of the water in coastal areas or rivers may require intense light. In this situation, you should place your tank beside a window or under bright room lighting.

Plants that thrive in thick forest waters or deeper ocean waters require less light and might be burnt by intense, direct sunlight. More importantly, you should usually avoid mixing high-intensity and low-intensity plants in your aquarium. That would need sacrificing the lighting arrangement, which would be less than optimal for any sort of plant.

Rate of Growth (How Fast Do The Natural Plants Grow)

Different plants grow faster than others, which might be advantageous if you’re attempting to cover a new aquarium with lush greenery in order to create a healthy environment for fish.

Hornwort, Wisteria, Amazon Sword, and Amazon Frogbit, for example, are all known for their exceptionally rapid development under aquarium circumstances.

Slower growing plants, on the other hand, can be a better choice for your betta fish tank if you want to spend less time trimming these live plants and already have a well-established aquarium.

The key to ensuring quick growth with any type of plant is to ensure that the lighting and nutrition levels are ideal for the individual plants in your tank.

Your Plants Are Root Feeders vs. Column Feeders

Another factor to consider when selecting actual aquarium plants is if they are root feeders or column feeders.

While all plants generate energy through photosynthesis in their leaves, the distinction between column and root-feeding plants is how nutrients are absorbed.

Column feeding plants absorb nutrients from the tank’s water via a network of rhizomes. These plants normally require a position above the level of the substrate at the bottom of your tank to ensure that the rhizomes are not obstructed and that there is sufficient flow to maintain a consistent supply of nutrients.

Root feeding plants absorb nutrients through their roots from the pool of nutrients available in the substrate’s interstitial water.

Because their roots want space to grow and increase their reach, these plants generally anchor themselves to the substrate, which may limit the types of substrate you may use.

Factors To Consider When Buying Fake Plants

Because fake plants don’t take much care and won’t interfere with the biology of your tank, many of the same issues such as light, growth rates, and food type do not apply to them.

However, one thing to keep an eye out for is the plant’s substance, especially if you have sensitive fish.

Some toxic plants for bettas are those made of plastics that leak chemicals into the water. These chemicals are very hazardous to particular fish species. If this is an issue, plants made of silk or other fabrics are often non-toxic.

Aside from that, you should think about where you want the plant to be in your tank.

One of the primary benefits of using artificial plants for betta fish tanks is that you may mix and match plant types because they are not affected by light, nutrients, or even water temperature or pH.

This allows you to think about the tank look you want to create and pick fake plants that fit that style.

If you choose fake plants for betta fish, always rinse new plastic or silk plants in hot water before adding them to your betta’s tank to eliminate any germs, dust, or dirt. Fake plants may also attract algae, and excrement can accumulate on the leaves and in fissures. When you clean your tank, you should also thoroughly clean and rinse (with hot water) any artificial plants and other decorations.

Top 15 Fantastic Live Plants For Betta Fish In 2022

Live plants are fantastic in betta tanks since they absorb nitrates, convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, and reduce ammonia. They also give the betta something to hide in and play with. Here are some of the best live plants for betta fish you can pick.

Amazon Sword

• Full name: Amazon Sword Plant (Echinodorus bleheri)
• Care difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Light Level: High

Amazon Sword is a tropical, broad-leaved species that may grow up to three feet tall in the wild. However, aquarium specimens seldom reach that height. The Amazon sword is normally advised for a bigger aquarium of at least 10 gallons and is not ideal for a nano tank or tiny setup.

The Amazon Sword is one of the most popular aquarium plants. It is one of the easiest of swords to maintain as it thrives in invariable levels of lighting, temperature, water hardness, and pH. However, the plant should be securely anchored in at least three inches of the substrate to avoid the leaves from being entangled in the tank’s water flow and being uprooted. In addition, the species requires a nutritional supplement as well as more CO2 to flourish.

Bettas like resting on the plant’s large, hammock-like leaves, which also give additional surface area for healthy bacteria to thrive on. Placing seeds in damp sand or simply taking new plants that form on submerged flowering stems and planting them straight into the substrate are two ways to propagate the plant.

You should remember to remove dead or algae-covered leaves on a regular basis by pinching or clipping them cleanly at the base of the stem.

Dwarf Sagittaria

• Full name: Dwarf Sagittaria, Hudson Sagittaria, Dwarf Sag, Awl-leaf, Awl-leaf Arrowhead
• Care difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Light Level: Moderate-high, 60-150+ PAR (Umols)

Dwarf Sagittaria is indigenous to the eastern United States and parts of South America, including Colombia. It is mostly a marsh plant of coastal locations, growing totally submerged in brackish and freshwater settings. It is a green rosette plant that resembles broad-bladed grass. It gets its grass-like appearance from its long, flattened leaves, which are only around 0.2 inches broad.

The size of this plan varies greatly depending on factors such as food and light availability. The leaves can grow up to a foot tall, although this is primarily a little plant that grows no more than 6 inches. They form a large white root system in the substrate, which may frequently be seen up against the glass in your tank.

Dwarf Sagittaria is a great tank companion for the majority of tropical freshwater fish species. It is extremely beneficial since it creates a favorable environment for bottom feeders to browse in, as well as an excellent site for spawning fish to lay their eggs. It’s also a nice area for little fry and shrimp to hide from predators.

This fast-growing plant is also useful for absorbing excess nutrients from fish waste and food, which can be hazardous to your fish and invertebrates. Some fish, however, do not get along with Dwarf sags or other water plants in general. Large cichlid species should not be kept with this plant since their love of digging and this plant’s requirement to be rooted do not mix well.

Plant-eating fish, such as goldfish, should also be avoided since they munch on this species’ leaves.

Java Fern

• Full name: Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)
• Care difficulty: Super-Easy
• Light Level: Low to Moderate

Java ferns are a species of plant that is indigenous to Southeast Asia (also where bettas come from). However, they are not technically aquarium plants. Java ferns, in fact, can grow both in and out of water. Their leaves develop from the rhizome, which may be cut in two to spread and generate new plants.

Depending on the breed, Java ferns can grow to be fairly huge. A normal java fern may reach heights of 13.5 inches and widths of 6-8 inches. This is one of the reasons why java ferns should not be kept in tanks less than 10 gallons.

Bettas love java ferns for the same reason they enjoy most other aquatic plants. It provides them with a place to hide while also making the tank feel more natural. It’s incredibly easy for some regions of your tank to turn into a java fern jungle. This is precisely what your betta will like, and it will make him feel safer. However, if you do this, make sure you just confine it to a tiny section of your tank. Otherwise, you’ll start sacrificing your bettas’ swimming space.

Java fern does not particularly like strong lighting, making it a good candidate for a low-light betta bowl. It spreads rapidly and is hardy in even the most inadequate water conditions. Because it does not do well in the substrate, it should be attached to a piece of rock or wood using rubber bands or root forks. 

Note: There is a distinction between Java fern and Java moss. Be wary of Java moss, since it can quickly outgrow its container and begin encroaching on your fish’s swimming space.

Wendt’s Water Trumpet

• Full name: Wendt’s Water Trumpet
• Care difficulty: Moderate
• Light Level: Low to High

Cryptocoryne wendtii, often known as Wendt’s Water Trumpet, is a native Sri Lankan aquatic plant. The plant is very easy to cultivate and also quite hardy.

Aquarists love this species because it comes in a variety of hues, including brown, green, red, and mixes of those. The leaf texture varies, as does the leaf size, which ranges from five to eighteen inches.

The plant develops quickly once it has adapted into its new tank home. So, if your plant looks to be suffering after you bring it home, don’t worry and believe it has perished. New growth will eventually emerge from the roots, and the plant will be unharmed.

Crypto wendtii is propagated by dividing a single specimen into little seedlings and replanting them in the substrate. The plant also generates rhizomes, which grow from the root system.

Java Moss

• Full name: Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
• Care difficulty: Super-Easy
• Light Level: Low to High

Java moss is a Southeast Asian native that was likely called for its ubiquity in Java, Indonesia. The water flow in these tropical freshwater habitats is generally modest. Although it is most commonly seen in freshwater aquariums, it has also been spotted in somewhat brackish settings.

Java moss can only grow in moist environments and will colonize rocks, trees, branches, and other detritus. It may be observed growing out of the water in regions that are frequently flooded or are continually exposed to other sources of moisture; if the moss is allowed to dry out for any length of time, it will die.

Java moss may be difficult to identify since it resembles other aquatic mosses; one of the most popular misidentifications is mistaking Java moss (Vesicularia dubyana) for Christmas moss (Vesicularia montagnei).

This plant does not like strong lighting, making it another great candidate for betta bowls or tanks. It is particularly good in spawning tanks because you can spread it out so that it floats, and the male will build his nest around it. Propagation is natural but can be done by simply removing pieces of it and placing them on a piece of rock, wood, or other tank decors. An iron supplement is advised.

Water Sprite

• Full name: Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides)
• Care difficulty: Easy
• Light Level: Moderate

Water Sprite is a type of aquatic fern that bettas enjoy because it provides a great location for them to hide and explore within the plant’s forest of leaves.

This floating plant for bettas can tolerate low light and wide pH, and it is virtually impossible to kill. The plant can thrive in low light circumstances, but it grows much better in a tank with plenty of light. The more light they get, the faster and more lushly the plants grow, sucking up nutrients and cleansing the water.

The Water Sprite is actually a fern. They propagate either through adventitious roots or “splitting” off plantlets at the leaf edge; only rarely through spores. For maximum production, young plants with three-plus fronds may be broken by hand from mature leaves.

Water Sprite is a fantastic option if you’re searching for water plants for betta fish to give surface cover for nest-building and plenty of hiding spots for a shy betta. You may also grow the plant in the substrate. To avoid decomposition in the tank, trim the leaves at the base of the stem and discard them.

Hornwort

• Full name: Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
• Care difficulty: Super-Easy
• Light Level: Low to High

The Hornwort is a plant that can be found in the wild and gives many benefits to your fish tank. It absorbs excess toxins, nitrates from water with ease as well as organic debris like waste products produced by bacteria or algae. Therefore, your tank is not contaminated with these harmful substances so that your betta habitat is clean at all times!

What is the best part about having one of these hornworts floating around? Actually, they limit growth on solid surfaces. Hence, everything stays tidy for longer periods between changes out (especially if there’s more than one).

Hornwort is deceptively simple to grow, whether it’s anchored in the substrate or left to float freely at the water’s surface, where it provides great cover for hesitant fish and delicate fry.

Because the plant grows long and readily reaches the water’s surface in any tank, you’ll need to trim the stems on a regular basis. Unfortunately, cutting Hornwort causes the plant to shed its bristles rapidly, which might clog your tank.

Plant propagation occurs naturally through rhizomes that the plant sends out beneath the substrate.

Duckweed

• Full name: Duckweeds (Lemnoideae)
• Care difficulty: Medium-Easy
• Light Level: Low to High

Duckweeds (Lemnoideae) are aquatic blooming plants that float on the water’s surface. They are normally situated over slow-moving bodies of water, creating the impression of a swamp. It has small leaves which grow to cover water surfaces. It is so breathtaking to see it at its base where it lies on the bottom of the tank like an underwater garden with millions of tiny flowers sparkling below. 

Another benefit is Duckweed’s capacity to absorb nutrients. It grows swiftly and consumes a lot of nutrients. This can help your aquarium stay a little healthier.

In addition, because it floats on the surface, it is an excellent choice for producing darkened regions. When your Bettas are anxious, they will generally seek for these dimly lit areas.

Even though duckweed is a great way to make your water surface clean and clear, it’s not without its downsides. It grows readily in a variety of environments. Once established in your tank, if left uncontrolled, it may swiftly spread across the surface, blocking light to the plants and fish below.

Make sure you’re prepared to deal with Duckweed. Once it’s in your aquarium, it might be tough to get rid of. In a few days, a single plant will reproduce. To maintain correct balance, regular tending is required.

Amazon Frogbit

• Full name: Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)
• Care difficulty: Super-Easy
• Light Level: Low to High

Amazon Frogbit is a good alternative to Duckweed if you love the look but don’t enjoy the takeover habit of the plant. The Amazon Frogbit is a popular floating plant that can be used by betta enthusiasts. It’s an aquatic lily pad with wide, sturdy leaves and long roots which hang down into the water to give off wild appeal.

Many beginner fish keepers mistake this for Water Hyacinth (a dangerous aquatic flower) in their aquariums because it has similar features. However, they are different plants! The frogbit will not take over your tank surface like other invasive species such as weeds would, so there’s no need to worry about those pesky filter clogs when you use these lovely plants.

Amazon Frogbit also grows larger than Duckweed, making it simpler to keep clean and neat. The plant has long tangles of roots that dangle in the water, producing a labyrinth of shady hideouts and nest-building locations for a betta as well as shelter for the fry of other fish in the tank.

The plant is beneficial because it pulls nutrients from the water. Frogbit, on the other hand, has the ability to turn off the light to everything living beneath it. You may regulate the plant’s spread by adding a ring of plastic tubing in the water to limit the plant’s growing area.

Salvinia Minima

• Full name: Salvinia Minima (Water Spangles)
• Care difficulty: Medium-Easy
• Light Level: Medium to High

Salvinia minima, often known as water spangles, is a floating water fern that is very effective when you need to remove excess nutrients from your fish tank while simultaneously suppressing algae development.

The Salvinia Minima or Water Spangles contain at least five leaves per cluster. This plant grows in 12 spangled clumps which can be considered ideal for light-sensitive bettas because it withdraws excessive nutrients from their water and controls algae growth. 

Water spangles are fairly hardy and can withstand a broad range of water conditions, however, you may need to supplement the plant with a particular aquarium light for maximum growth.

These plants for betta fish may require special aquarium lights to reach their optimal growth and they also depend on water spangles for nutrients. Thus, they are vulnerable if they don’t get enough of these from fertilizers.

Salvinia Minima is a fantastic choice if you have betta or other fish that don’t appreciate too much light. Furthermore, it provides food for both omnivorous and herbivorous fish.

Pygmy Chain Sword Plant

• Full name: Pygmy Chain Sword Plant (Echinodorus tenellus)
• Care difficulty: Moderate
• Light Level: High

Aquascaping enthusiasts frequently utilize the Pygmy Chain Sword plant as a carpet plant in tropical tank designs.

The plant reproduces itself by putting out runners beneath the substrate. New sword plants sprout throughout the runners’ length. These tiny plants mature and thrive, spreading out even more down the tank floor until a rich “lawn” of plants is created.

The Pygmy Chain Sword plant is reasonably easy to cultivate and can withstand a broad variety of temperatures and pH levels. To boost development and spread, the plant does require high light levels and a nutrient-rich substrate. As a result, this species is an excellent foreground plant for betta fish tanks, which are often tiny. As a result, you can easily maintain strong and brilliant illumination settings for the Pygmy Chain Sword plant.

To keep the spread of these runners under control, you may need to pinch away part of the growth on these plants on a regular basis.

Glossostigma

• Full name: Glossostigma elatinoides
• Care difficulty: Difficult
• Light Level: High

Glossostigma elatinoides is a common plant choice among skilled aquarists wishing to build a Japanese-themed betta aquarium. These little aquarium plants are native to Australasia, where they thrive in bogs and on lake and pond banks. The plant grows to only a few inches in height, making it ideal for use in the foreground.

This plant is extremely tough to cultivate. The plant demands a lot of light. If the aquarium lighting is not bright enough, the plant will grow upward toward the light rather than spreading and bushing out. As a result, be sure that this species is not overshadowed by other plants or decorations while planting it.

Glossostigma should ideally be grown in shallow aquariums with lots of light. As a result, the species is ideal for a betta aquarium. Split each pot into numerous smaller bunches to encourage the plant to grow and produce a carpet on the tank bottom. You may also encourage development by utilizing CO2 and keeping the water moist.

Runners, dividing the plant, taking cuttings, and separating daughter plants from the main stem are all methods of propagation.

Pennywort

• Full name: Brazilian Pennywort, Hydrocotyle leucocephala
• Care difficulty: Easy
• Light Level: Low

Pennywort is popular among gardeners due to its diversity and ease of maintenance. The plant is native to marshes and wetlands from Northern Argentina to Southern Mexico.

Pennywort gets its name from its penny-sized, penny-shaped leaves. The leaves grow alternately on a vine-like stem that swiftly develops to a height of around eight inches. Tiny white root shoots develop at each leaf junction. The shrub develops white blooms on the water’s surface.

The plant can grow both underwater and on the surface, making it the ideal area for your betta to make a bubble nest or hide when he needs to. If you like adding a few sprigs to your salad, the plant is also edible, tasting something like watercress.

Pennywort is simple to maintain and requires little light to thrive, migrating toward the surface as it develops to reach the light. You will need to trim the plant fairly regularly to keep the leaves from fully covering the surface, allowing your betta to feed freely and breathe air as necessary.

Cryptocoryne Green Gecko

• Full name: Cryptocoryne Green Gecko
• Care difficulty: Easy
• Light Level: Low to Medium

Because of its tolerance of a broad range of aquarium conditions and its resilience, the Green Gecko is an excellent choice for beginning hobbyists.

The plant is from Sri Lanka and is a beautiful, broad-leaved plant. The leaves are pale green with a reddish-brown zone around the stem in the middle of the leaf and a dark, reddish-brown midrib. Bettas like resting on the plant’s leaves, which have wavy leaf edges that form the perfect hammock shape for your dozing fish.

Green Gecko, like many Cryptocoryne species, develops slowly and requires little attention in terms of maintenance. By providing top-quality LED lighting, CO2, and high-quality aquarium dirt, you may foster more strong, luxuriant development.

To reproduce these live plants, just cut new plantlets from the mother plant and insert them in aquarium mud. This low-growing plant with five to six-inch leaves is suitable for the planted betta aquarium’s midground.

Anubias Barteri

• Full name: Anubias Barteri (var. barteri)
• Care difficulty: Super-Easy
• Light Level: Low to High

Anubias barteri is a West African species with a reputation for being fairly resistant to tank living.

Anubias barteri, like other Anubias types, grows slowly. But don’t let it deter you! The plant is extremely easy to take care of and will thrive in a tropical tank with varying lighting and water parameters.

Although fish and snails do not consume the stiff leaves of the Anubias barteri plant, algae colonies may form on them. Of course, a sluggish betta will utilize the plant’s leaf as a resting location!

This Anubias species can reach a maximum height of 18 to 24 inches tall. Because burying the rhizome in the substrate may cause the root system to decompose, you must grow the plant clinging to driftwood or rock.

Once the plant has settled in the aquarium and has begun to develop, it may create a flower spike with a fragrance, meanwhile bloom once it reaches the surface.

Top 5 Best Fake Plants For Betta Fish Tanks

We have guided you through top plants safe for betta fish. Now let’s take a quick look at some kinds of fake plants that you can choose.

Plastic Aquarium Plants by ZAZALUM

This ZAZALUM synthetic plant is made of silk and is thus non-toxic to betta fish. The broad leaves provide a variety of strata for betta fish to explore and sleep on, and the robust base may be readily rooted in any aquarium substrate.

MaxFox Fish Tank Plants Floating Hammock Be

MaxFox’s single leaf is meant to suction-cup to the edge of your betta tank to create a wide and durable place for your fish to rest on.

The leaf is affordable, can be placed almost anywhere along the walls of your tank, and will not draw attention away from the rest of your tank’s design.

QUMY Fake Aquarium Plants For Betta Fish

This QUMY plastic plant is meant to be non-toxic to betta fish while also giving a decorative touch to the landscape of your aquarium.

The crimson leaves are attractive, and the stems form a tiered habitat in which betta fish may feel comfortable and explore. The base rests on top of your substrate and is heavy enough that a moderate current will not topple the plant.

CNZ Aquarium Fish Tank Lifelike Underwater Plant

This broad-leafed plastic plant from CNZ Aquarium is designed to provide your betta fish with a variety of leaf kinds to investigate as well as lots of hiding areas.

The wide leaves are strong enough to support your betta, and the plastic roots contribute to the plant’s appearance.

Blue Spotted Plant For Betta Fish Red Anubia Leaf

Blue Spotted plastic plant provides an aesthetically beautiful set of leaves for your betta fish to hide and investigate, as well as ample space for your betta to rest on top of.

The plastic roots enhance the plant’s realistic appearance, while the weighted rock foundation keeps it from being pushed over by currents in your tank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bettas like floating plants?

Floating plants are a fantastic way to add life and color to your betta’s tank. Betta fish love hanging out near the surface, so make sure you have floating types like Amazon frogbit or red root floaters! You can also add some stem-based flowers such as Water Sprite.

Are floater plants good for betta fish aquariums?

Floating plants are an excellent way to reduce the amount of harmful waste in your tank. They consume nitrate and other toxins, helping you grow healthy greenery!

Do betta fish eat plants?

Betta fish are technically omnivores, yet in the wild, plant materials and algae make up just a modest fraction of their diet. The betta demands a high-protein diet, with meaty products providing the majority of the protein. If you have algae growing on the live plants in your betta’s tank, you may observe your pet nibbling at the plant’s leaves from time to time, but your pet is after the algae, not the plant.

What plants are bad for betta fish?

Toxic plants for betta fish include Marimo moss balls, Anubis, etc. There are also dwarf hair-grass sometimes incorrectly called “dwarf stemmed leaf” due to its height in relation to other plants.

Are floating plants safe for betta fish?

Floating plants have the potential to create an invisible barrier on water surfaces that prevents oxygen exchange with the atmosphere or photosynthesis. This reduces available air for fish living below them! Therefore, be choosy when selecting the plants for your tank. 

Do floating plants need CO2?

You can grow your best aquatic plants for betta fish without the need for carbon dioxide. All that they require is adequate nutrients and light, which you likely have access to at home or work!

What do live plants need to thrive in the tank?

Plants require light to live in your aquarium, and there are two types of betta aquarium lighting available: incandescent and fluorescent. In addition, some living plants flourish in a hot atmosphere, while others perish in a matter of days. To live in water, most plants require fertilizer. Pet retailers sell fertilizer plugs, pills, and liquids.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, the assumption that Betta fish can live in small, unfiltered bowls has spread across the hobby. This is neither good for your fish nor pleasurable for them. As a consequence, responsible Betta owners should do all necessary to give their fish a natural, healthy habitat. Giving your Betta ample space (at least 5 gallons) and hiding/resting locations is part of this (plants).

Now that you’ve gone over our list of best plants for betta fish and know what you have to work with, it’s time to choose your favorites. With so many different plants to pick from, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Experimenting, fortunately, is fairly low-risk. The plants are inexpensive, and you can easily switch them out for something else if you change your mind later.

You can send us an email if you have a favorite betta fish plant that you’d like to see included in the list! We believe that this is a topic that is underserved, thus we are dedicated to offering the greatest resource available.