If you are more into aesthetics when choosing a pet fish, then you are in for a treat with betta fishes.
Those attractive colors as they swim across the water is such a sight to behold, that can ward off stress and improve your mood.
And if you have just recently bought a betta fish, then you probably know by now that they can’t thrive in small fish bowls. They need an environment that perfectly recreates their natural habitat, which in this case, is a fish tank filled with live plants.
Related: Are Live Plants Good for Betta Fish?
Betta fishes love live plants because it gives them a perfect place to hide during sleeping hours, helps keep unwanted chemicals at bay, and makes them feel that they are living in their natural environment.
If you are in a dilemma on which live plant to buy for your betta fish tank, then you’ve just found the best place to be in. Below is a curated list of the top 15 live plants that are a perfect addition to your betta fish tank.
Table of Contents
What live plants are best for betta?
Java Fern
- Microsorum pteropus also known as Java Fern. Java Fern is an aquatic fern from southeast Asia. Java Fern is a beautiful addition to any freshwater aquarium. Java Fern can attached to driftwood or rocks just like any other varieties of Java Fern.
- Water Temperature:Tropical
- In a rare case of dead on arrival, Buyers must take a clear picture immediately of the plants in unopened bag condition and send the photo to my message the same day of delivery. After I receive the clear photo, I will decide either give you a refund or replacement.
- You will get 3 potted of Java Fern. (pot size: 2 inches)
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Do you want an easy to grow plant that can thrive well even in low lighting? If so, then Java Ferns are what you need. This live plant is perfect for betta fish owners that want a hassle-free plant for their fish tanks.
What’s best is that when you pluck a java fern leaf and let it float underwater and it will sprout into a new plant on its own. Java ferns are slow growers, which means you don’t have to worry about trimming them on a weekly basis.
Java Moss
- Java Moss - Vesicularia Dubyana Location: Southeast Asia PH: 5.8 - 7.5 Temperature: 24-28 C Water Hardness: 2 - 15dh Size: 4x6 cm Loc. In Aquarium: Foreground Lighting Requirements: low to high Difficulty: Easy Vesicularia Dubyana is another very popular and undemanding aquarium moss. Good beginner plant, it can be cultivated in almost any kind of water. Also known as Java Moss, this plant has a deep green color with tiny leaves. Java Moss is intensively branched with lots of tiny stems surrounded by rhizoids and leaves. The rhizoids are used by the moss to attach itself to substrates. Vesicularia Dubyana do not have any role in nutrient absorption. Because it has not roots, Vesicularia Dubyana should not be buried in gravel. Cultivation of this plant should be done by spreading a thin layer of Java Moss on top of a solid substrate as a rock or a piece of root. This can be done by attaching it to the substrate with a thin fishing line or a cotton thread. Although it does not require strong lighting, it should be spread equally so every stems have access to the light. After a few months, it will anchor itself to its substrate and the fishing line could be removed. Some hobbyists have experienced good success in letting Java Moss float at the surface of the aquarium or in stapling it to a piece of driftwood. Almost any substrate can be used for Java Moss to attach to (even the aquarium glass!). This plant can be grown submerged or emersed. In the wild, Vesicularia Dubyana grows on the trees and stones of the very humid region of Southeast Asia.
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Java Moss is also a low-maintenance plant just like java ferns. They can even grow without rooting them on the substrate. It’s one of the best plants for betta fish that you can buy.
This means that it can survive being attached to driftwood, or even if they are just floating mid-air underwater. But keep in mind that regular maintenance is a must since java moss can spread easily in just a few days or weeks.
Dwarf Hairgrass
- Eleocharis acicularis mini are even lower growth than the common Eleocharis parvula. Plant the mini-version in small portions covering a larger area. In short time, a dense carpet will be obtained. Needs light to perform optimal, however, it is one of the most secure species for craeting a carpet – and a minimum of maintenance since leaves stays small (3-5 cm). Suitable for nano-aquariums. Eleocharis acicularis Mini are do best in rich nutrient substrate, high light and CO2 injected aquarium
- Water Temperature:Tropical
- In a rare case of dead on arrival, Buyers must take a clear picture immediately of the plants in unopened bag condition and send the photo to my message the same day of delivery. After I receive the clear photo, I will decide either give you a refund or replacement.
- You will get 1 tissue culture cup of Eleocharis sp. Mini. ( cup size: 2.5 x 2.5 ) - 100% Snails, Algae, Bacteria-Free!
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Soft and easy to maintain live plants is all you need to keep your fish tank woes at bay. And there’s no other live plant to choose for that than Dwarf Hairgrass.
Dwarf Hairgrass is best placed along with rocks, ornaments, or driftwood. They perfectly blend well in the environment and also adds an extra layer of aesthetic to your betta fish tank.
Duckweed
- High in Protein
- Koi love it
- Duck Weed is a hardy free floating plant that is found around the planet, with low to moderate lighting requirements
- It is a floating freshwater aquatic plant, with one, two or three leaves each with a single root hanging in the water; as more leaves grow, the plants divide and become separate individuals
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Achieving that “swampy” look to your betta fish tank has never been easier with Duckweed. This live plant floats on the surface and perfectly recreates a betta fish’s natural environment.
Though keep in mind that maintenance can be a bit of a chore if you choose this one. Duckweed can grow rapidly where even a single leaf can multiply to bigger numbers in just a few days.
Water Wisteria
- Hygrophila Difformis, commonly known as water wisteria. Hygrophila Difformis is very easy to grow and such as a beautiful plant for the tropical aquarium. It grows best in medium to high light along with a rich nutrient substrate and it benefits from additional CO2. It can be easily propagated from cuttings
- Water Temperature:Tropical
- In a rare case of dead on arrival, Buyers must take a clear picture immediately of the plants in unopened bag condition and send the photo to my message the same day of delivery. After I receive the clear photo, I will decide either give you a refund or replacement.
- You will get 3 bunched of Hygrophila Difformis. (each bunched has 2-3 stems)
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Water Wisteria is the perfect live plant to carpet your betta fish tank. It can also thrive well in low lighting conditions and adds an extra layer of beauty to other live plants you have in your betta fish tank.
Wisteria can grow up to a foot in size so it’s best to place them in large betta fish tanks. You need to do regular maintenance too.
Vallisneria
- Jungle vallisneria plant decoration for aquatic environments
- Natural-looking translucent colors cant fade
- Undulate with currents
- Extra large, measures 15-inch tall
- Easy and secure placement
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Vallisneria can grow rapidly with adequate lighting and grows slower in low light. Once it grows, it can create a hiding place for your betta fish to play around.
When planting Vallisneria, make sure not to plant their roots too deep on the substrate as it may have a bad impact on the overall health of the plant.
Water Sprite
- Weighted, sculpted base stays precisely where you put it
- The plastic leaves and foliage clean easily and quickly with warm water
- Replicate your fishs familiar natural environment with these lovely bunch plants
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A Water Sprite live plant is the perfect “betta fish playground” for your fish tank. Even though it grows rapidly, it is also easy to trim with no extra effort.
Water sprites can grow when planted on a substrate or just let them float freely underwater. Fish owners that are just starting their betta fish journey can benefit well with water sprites.
Anubias Nana
- Growth Rates:Slow - Medium Water Type:Fresh
- Water Temperature:Tropical
- In a rare case of dead on arrival, Buyers must take a clear picture immediately of the plants in unopened bag condition and send the photo to my message the same day of delivery. After I receive the clear photo, I will decide either give you a refund or replacement.
- Anubias nana Petite is a smallest form of Anubias family. Anubias nana ‘Petite’ is composed of several small leaves and a hard stalky stem called a rhizome. The entire plant grows to approximately 2 inch wide by 2 inch tall (5 cm). The ½ inch wide (1 cm) leaves are beautifully round and dark green. These tiny leaves sprout from a rhizome which extends roots that anchor the plant to rocks and the substrate.
- You will get 1 Anubias Nana Petite on Driftwood. (Approx 2-3 inches in size)
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Anubias Nana is the perfect live plant to betta fish tanks of any size. They are small enough to fit even the smallest fish tank variant you can buy from the market today.
You don’t even need to worry about maintenance because they are slow growers. Anubias nana thrives best when rooted in a substrate or attached to driftwood.
Marimo Moss Balls
- This marimo Combo pack includes 2 giant marimo (2 to 3 inches in Diameter), 2 Large marimo (around 1.5 inches), and 3 small/Nano marimo (around 1 inch)
- Great for providing Oxygen and clean water for Fish and invertebrates
- Does not need special or high intensity Lighting, and can be kept in any freshwater Aquarium
- The Moss grows slowly, so these Moss balls are anywhere from 4 to 15 years old
- All Aquatic Arts brand Plants and animals come with a 100 percent live arrival GUARANTEE
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If you want to add a bit of aesthetics to your betta fish tank, Marimo Moss Balls got you covered.
This live plant is rare and usually grows on lake beds in Japan. Marimo moss ball is an algae-type of plant that betta fish loves to play around because of its spherical shape.
Anacharis
- You are buying 1 bunch (6 Stems 6-8 inches each of Anacharis Egeria Elodea Densa ).
- Egeria densa, is most commonly known as Brazilian waterweed. Egeria densa is easy to grow and a beautiful plant for a tropical aquarium. It grows very well in high light with a water column fertilizer and Substrate fertilizer like root tabs.
- It Grows Both with CO2 and without CO2.
- The Egeria densa is a good plant for beginners, and its rapid growth helps create a balance in the aquarium from the start. Stems grows fast to 40-100 cm and becomes 2-4 cm wide.
- Anacharis is an excellent nutrient controller and oxygen producer for all types of freshwater aquariums. Anacharis looks best when planted in groups along the back and sides of the aquarium.
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Anacharis is a plant popular among fish lovers for decades. This live plant helps fight off water toxins to keep a healthy environment for your betta fish.
Keep in mind that Anacharis can grow fast which makes fish tank maintenance a bit of a chore. It also needs moderate lighting for them to survive since their leaves can drop in too much low lighting.
Pennywort
- Pennywort silk plant aquarium decoration for aquatic environments undulates with currents
- Natural-looking translucent colors closely mimic live aquarium plants and wont fade
- Easy to install and secure, simply bury base in aquarium gravel
- Made of safe, non-toxic silk material that will not affect aquarium water chemistry
- Large fish tank decoration measures 13-14 inches tall (33-35.5 cm)
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Looking for a versatile live plant for your betta fish tank? Pennywort is the best choice for that. Pennywort can thrive well above the water surface, giving that swampy look to your fish tank.
Hygrophila
- Hygrophila aquatic plant decoration for aquariums
- Natural-looking translucent colors that won’t fade
- Easy to install and secure, simply bury base in aquarium gravel
- Undulates with tank currents, mimicking a natural aquatic environment
- Large fish tank decoration is 12-inches tall (30.48 cm)
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Give your betta fish a natural resting spot during siesta hours with the Hygrophila live plant. Thanks to its large leaves that can grow up to 28 inches, it is the perfect plant for your betta fish to get their much-needed relaxation time.
Hornwort
- Hornwort aquatic plant decoration for aquariums
- Natural-looking translucent colors that won’t fade
- Easy to install and secure, simply bury base in aquarium gravel
- Undulates with tank currents, mimicking a natural aquatic environment
- Large fish tank decoration is 12-inches tall (30.48 cm)
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Versatile and easy to care? Then checkout Hornwort. This live plant is a popular choice among betta fish owners because it can grow fast even in low light. Not to mention, it also creates shade for your betta fish to hide into.
Banana Plant
A live plant that is low-maintenance and isn’t too invasive when it grows? The Banana Plant is the ideal choice for that.
This live plant can grow “lily pads” just like Duckweed. It also creates different color varieties depending on the intensity of the aquarium lighting.
Christmas Moss
Give your betta fish tank that holiday look with the Christmas Moss live plant. This live plant grows slowly compared to java moss and forms little trees that look like a forest of Christmas trees. It can also survive in different lighting and temperature levels too.
Conclusion
Giving the best live plants for betta fish plants are a must. Without live plants, it can negatively affect the growth and development of your betta fish which can lead to their death. Compared to fake plants, your betta fish tank can be healthier thanks to the additional benefits live plants give. Not to mention that it also gives that natural look for your fish tanks that fake plants cannot recreate.
