Excellent List of Low Light Plants

[Homer_Simpson]

Please Note: I am not the author of this list. The author of this list, James From Cali, is also a member on this site and he has been kind enough to continually update, revise, and update this list. For James' most updated list, please see further threads from James in this post.

This is an excellent list of low light plants for anyone looking for plants to start a low light tank. It was posted by James From Cali at: http://www.myfishtank.net/

"Plants Ideal For Low Light/Low Tech Aquaria
Some people may be wondering what plants do well in a Low Light setup. I used to be the same way(and still am sometimes) and now I am wanting to make a list of what is appropriate for this kind of tank. Any one wanting to add to the list please go ahead. List Common and Scientific name please.

Java Fern - Microsorum pteropus
Windelov Java Fern, Windelov Fern - Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov'
Narrow Leaf Java Fern - Microsorum pteropus v. 'narrow leaf'
Java Moss - Vesicularia dubyana
Green Hygro - Hygrophila polysperma
*Sunset Hygro - Hygrophila polysperma 'Rosanervig'
Ceylon Hygro - Hygrophila polysperma 'Ceylon'
Rotala Rotundifolia - Rotala rotundifolia
Rotala Rotundifolia sp. Green - Rotala rotundifolia sp. 'Green'
Rotala Indica - Rotala indica
Hornwort - Ceratophylum demersum
Parrots Feather - Myriophyllum aquaticum
Moneywort, Water Hyssop - Bocapa monnieri
Brazilian Pennywort, Pennywort - Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Crypt Wendtii - Cryptocoryne wendtii
Crypt Balansae - Cryptocoryne Balansae
Pygmy Crypt - Cryptocoryne pygmaea
Guppy Grass - Najas guadalupensis
Anubias barteri - Anubias barteri v. barteri
Anubias barteri 'marble' - Anubias barteri 'marble'
Anubias barteri v. 'glabra' - Anubias barteri v. 'glabra'
Anubias nana - Anubias barteri v. 'nana'
Coffee leaf anubias - Anubias barteri v. 'coffeefolia'
Crypt retrospiralis - Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
Crypt spiralis - Cryptocoryne spiralis
Golden nana - Anubias barteri v. 'nana golden'
Narrow leaf nana - Anubias barteri v. 'nana narrow leaf'
Petite nana - Anubias barteri v. nana 'petite'
Philippine Java Fern - Microsorum pteropus 'Philippine'
Red Java fern - Microsorum pteropus "red"
Crypt Becketii - Cryptcoryne becketii
Pelia - Monosolenium tenerum
Waterwheel Plant - Aldrovanda vesiculosa
Bacopa - Bacopa caroliniana
African Water Fern - Bolbitis heudelotii
Hornwort - Ceratophyllum submersum
Crypt Aponogetifolia - Cryptocoryne aponogetifolia
Micro Crypt - Cryptocoryne petchii
Tropica Sword - Echinodorus parviflorus 'Tropica'
Downoi - Pogostemon helferi

*Do not ned high light to attain pink color. Dosing Iron can bring out this color. I have learned this from experience.

Thank you,
James"

[matt s]

Very cool list. This will be helpful.

[James From Cali]

I havent seen that since I first posted it. Its not nearly as well as another list here on this site. I will edit in the link into this post

Well I cant find the link but there is a more elaborate list on here. Maybe not the same though. The plants I put in the list there are plants that are available to the aquarium world.

[wakemenow]

Thanks for the listing! Very helpful!

[stagius]

These low light plant above still live happily in high light, right ?

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by stagius

These low light plant above still live happily in high light, right ?

I don't see why not. The cryptocornes will tolerate low to very high light levels as will aponogentons and tiger lotuses which are not on the list. That is my experience anyways. The only ones that I would be careful with if you are going to use high light is anubias and java ferns. In my experience, these will quickly form green spot and and green thread/hair algae if you expose them to high light. In a high light tank, you can shade or partially shade them with other taller plants or with some floating plants and that should prevent the problem as long as your other parameters(consistent and proper c02 levels and adequate ferts) are in order. The problem is in trying to get a balance where you are not cutting down on so much light that other high light plants that you may have in the tank suffer due to lack of light and that you are not providing so much light that plants like anubias, java fern, and java moss develop algae. I find 2 watts per gallon seems to work well for most plants.

[Homer_Simpson]

Originally Posted by James From Cali

I havent seen that since I first posted it. Its not nearly as well as another list here on this site. I will edit in the link into this post

Well I cant find the link but there is a more elaborate list on here. Maybe not the same though. The plants I put in the list there are plants that are available to the aquarium world.

I found your listing really helpful when I came across it and bookmarked it. I liked it so much that I decided to post it here for the benefit of members. I hope you don't mind I am not sure about the more elaborate list posted on this site as I have not seen it.

I still consider your list to be one of the best that I have seen. Thanks for sharing. I found it most useful

[BiscuitSlayer]

Originally Posted by Homer_Simpson

In my experience, these will quickly form green spot and and green thread/hair algae if you expose them to high light. In a high light tank, you can shade or partially shade them with other taller plants or with some floating plants and that should prevent the problem as long as your other parameters(consistent and proper c02 levels and adequate ferts) are in order.

I have a high light tank with anubias, and they did get GSA pretty bad. I have upped my phospates, and now it is in check. They aren't shaded too well either.

[Smalltank3]

Great list! I'll look into these plants for later refrence!

BTW, you repeated hornwort twice

[ikuzo]

i think lots of vallisneria species should be on the list as well.

[James From Cali]

Originally Posted by stagius

These low light plant above still live happily in high light, right ?

Yes. All of these will do fine in high light tanks(provided other things are in check.)

Originally Posted by Homer_Simpson

I don't see why not. The cryptocornes will tolerate low to very high light levels as will aponogentons and tiger lotuses which are not on the list. That is my experience anyways. The only ones that I would be careful with if you are going to use high light is anubias and java ferns. In my experience, these will quickly form green spot and and green thread/hair algae if you expose them to high light. In a high light tank, you can shade or partially shade them with other taller plants or with some floating plants and that should prevent the problem as long as your other parameters(consistent and proper c02 levels and adequate ferts) are in order. The problem is in trying to get a balance where you are not cutting down on so much light that other high light plants that you may have in the tank suffer due to lack of light and that you are not providing so much light that plants like anubias, java fern, and java moss develop algae. I find 2 watts per gallon seems to work well for most plants.

I have not added alot since then but I been meaning to so if you would like I will continue to add other plants in this thread so you can add to the list. 2-3 watts per gallon is perfect for most plants.

Originally Posted by Homer_Simpson

I found your listing really helpful when I came across it and bookmarked it. I liked it so much that I decided to post it here for the benefit of members. I hope you don't mind I am not sure about the more elaborate list posted on this site as I have not seen it.

I still consider your list to be one of the best that I have seen. Thanks for sharing. I found it most useful

Oh I do not mind at all. I put it up to help people on that site . No problem, its all for the love of the hobby.

Originally Posted by Smalltank3

Great list! I'll look into these plants for later refrence!

BTW, you repeated hornwort twice

lol, thanks for pointing that out.

Originally Posted by ikuzo

i think lots of vallisneria species should be on the list as well.

Yes, I do find that most do better in a medium-medium high light tank though.

[r36613]

From my experience, it is a waste to put stem plant in low light tank because stem plant cannot give their best 'display' and only try to survive and maybe have a little growth.

So instead putting stem plant in low light tanks, I would prefer some cryptocoryne and anubias.

[James From Cali]

Originally Posted by Homer_Simpson

Java Fern - Microsorum pteropus
Windelov Java Fern, Windelov Fern - Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov'
Narrow Leaf Java Fern - Microsorum pteropus v. 'narrow leaf'
Java Moss - Vesicularia dubyana
Green Hygro - Hygrophila polysperma
*Sunset Hygro - Hygrophila polysperma 'Rosanervig'
Ceylon Hygro - Hygrophila polysperma 'Ceylon'
Rotala Rotundifolia - Rotala rotundifolia
Rotala Rotundifolia sp. Green - Rotala rotundifolia sp. 'Green'
Rotala Indica - Rotala indica
Hornwort - Ceratophylum demersum
Parrots Feather - Myriophyllum aquaticum
Moneywort, Water Hyssop - Bocapa monnieri
Brazilian Pennywort, Pennywort - Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Crypt Wendtii - Cryptocoryne wendtii
Crypt Balansae - Cryptocoryne Balansae
Pygmy Crypt - Cryptocoryne pygmaea
Guppy Grass - Najas guadalupensis
Anubias barteri - Anubias barteri v. barteri
Anubias barteri 'marble' - Anubias barteri 'marble'
Anubias barteri v. 'glabra' - Anubias barteri v. 'glabra'
Anubias nana - Anubias barteri v. 'nana'
Coffee leaf anubias - Anubias barteri v. 'coffeefolia'
Crypt retrospiralis - Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
Crypt spiralis - Cryptocoryne spiralis
Golden nana - Anubias barteri v. 'nana golden'
Narrow leaf nana - Anubias barteri v. 'nana narrow leaf'
Petite nana - Anubias barteri v. nana 'petite'
Philippine Java Fern - Microsorum pteropus 'Philippine'
Red Java fern - Microsorum pteropus "red"
Crypt Becketii - Cryptcoryne becketii
Pelia - Monosolenium tenerum
Waterwheel Plant - Aldrovanda vesiculosa
Bacopa - Bacopa caroliniana
African Water Fern - Bolbitis heudelotii
Hornwort - Ceratophyllum submersum
Crypt Aponogetifolia - Cryptocoryne aponogetifolia
Micro Crypt - Cryptocoryne petchii
Tropica Sword - Echinodorus parviflorus 'Tropica'
Downoi - Pogostemon helferi
Lotus- Nymphaea pubescens
American Waterweed- Elodea canadensis
Vallisneria natans
Water Celery- Vallisneria americana
Vallisneria asiatica

*Do not ned high light to attain pink color. Dosing Iron can bring out this color. I have learned this from experience.

RED=Take Off
GREEN=New
BLUE=Debatable
More to come when I have more time . But everyone feel free to add on!

[James From Cali]

Originally Posted by r36613

From my experience, it is a waste to put stem plant in low light tank because stem plant cannot give their best 'display' and only try to survive and maybe have a little growth.

So instead putting stem plant in low light tanks, I would prefer some cryptocoryne and anubias.

I beg to differ. Given at least 1wpg, some form of micros and macros, and DIY CO2 they will be looking amazing just as if they were in a high light tank. The key is patience. If you read online there are many stem plants that grow quickly in low light. I had rotala grow 2-3 inches in a week and look awesome. My Lotus plant has been doing great with no CO2 and flourish. It has a new leaf(or starting leaf) up everyday. Although its a personal opinion to not put stem plants in a low light tank they are quite useful for many reasons and do much better than other plants. They also add height that anubias and crypts cannot.

[xPlantedxCometx]

Great List. Subscribed!