One of the most frustrating experiences for new hobbyists is buying a beautiful plant from a big-box pet store, only to watch it rot away a few weeks later. The reason? Many plants sold in the aquarium trade are not actually true aquatic plants.
Avoid Terrestrial Impostors Certain plants are marginal or strictly terrestrial. They can survive with their roots in the water, but if their leaves are fully submerged, they will eventually drown, rot, and spike your tank’s ammonia levels. Common culprits to avoid submerging include:
- Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana): The leaves must remain above the water line.
- Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus): This is a terrestrial landscaping plant that will not survive underwater.
- Aluminum Plant (Pilea cadierei): Often sold in tubes, this houseplant will disintegrate if fully submerged.
- White Ribbon Plant (Dracaena variegata): Another terrestrial plant commonly mislabeled.
When shopping for your tank, stick to known true aquatics like Cryptocoryne, Echinodorus (Amazon Swords), Bucephalandra, and aquatic mosses. Doing a quick search on a plant’s scientific name before purchasing can save you from a lot of heartache and ruined water parameters.
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