It would be difficult to develop that list. For one thing, CO2 lowers the light needs of most plants - high CO2 allows the plants to grow with less light than it takes with little CO2. To make a usable list we would have to agree on what "low light" means, what amount of CO2 the list is based on, and what we consider as "good" growth for a plant. And, there are hundreds of different plants to consider.
Excellent List of Low Light Plants
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Being as this is a low light plant list in the low tech forum, I don't think it would be that difficult, for an expert, that is. Presumably no one here would be using CO2.
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I think anubias could grow, slowly, with just the natural light in a house.
Egeria densa, is really, really undemanding, it did grow up like mad in my low light tank.
A lof of crypts are quite forgiving.
Ceratopteris thalictroides too, in my low light tank, was growing like mad and doing baby plants all the time, and it was rooted to the bottom, not even floating.
Maybe it was already told, i did not look at all the posts.
However i do have some issues with some plants in the list in post no. 258.
Bacopa caroliniana is not a low light plant, it will just grow leggy and ugly, if at all.
Bacopa monnieri too.
Hygrophila polysperma was struggling in my low light tank and i lost it.
Same for ludwigia repens, struggling, ugly, full of algae.
Rotala rotundifolia same as ludwigia repens in low light in my tank.
Cabomba caroliniana requires a minimum of light, hardly a low light plant, limnophila sessiflora would be better, less demanding, and the look very similar.
Hydrocotyle leucocephala, yes if floating but not floating in low light, it did die.
Riccia fluitans, floating yes, not floating i doubt it.
From my little experience for what it is worth. My low light tank was a 24" high one with one led fixture Beamswork third generation (121 - 0,2w leds 10000K). It did ran for 8 months.
Another issue maybe the perception some may think their low tech tank is low light while they effectively have medium or higher light.
Michel.
Egeria densa, is really, really undemanding, it did grow up like mad in my low light tank.
A lof of crypts are quite forgiving.
Ceratopteris thalictroides too, in my low light tank, was growing like mad and doing baby plants all the time, and it was rooted to the bottom, not even floating.
Maybe it was already told, i did not look at all the posts.
However i do have some issues with some plants in the list in post no. 258.
Bacopa caroliniana is not a low light plant, it will just grow leggy and ugly, if at all.
Bacopa monnieri too.
Hygrophila polysperma was struggling in my low light tank and i lost it.
Same for ludwigia repens, struggling, ugly, full of algae.
Rotala rotundifolia same as ludwigia repens in low light in my tank.
Cabomba caroliniana requires a minimum of light, hardly a low light plant, limnophila sessiflora would be better, less demanding, and the look very similar.
Hydrocotyle leucocephala, yes if floating but not floating in low light, it did die.
Riccia fluitans, floating yes, not floating i doubt it.
From my little experience for what it is worth. My low light tank was a 24" high one with one led fixture Beamswork third generation (121 - 0,2w leds 10000K). It did ran for 8 months.
Another issue maybe the perception some may think their low tech tank is low light while they effectively have medium or higher light.
Michel.
That was a major problem when virtually no one used PAR meters to find out how much light they really had. And, the list came from that period of time. Also, plants need less light if they have a good amount of CO2 in the water, so plants that do well with low light for people using CO2, may do poorly for people who don't use CO2. It is a little more complicated than the list here suggests it is.
I would agree there is quite a range of light tolerance on that list.. I've always taken it as "plants that someone managed to make work in low tech", and not strictly low light...
I've had good luck with rotala sp. green and rotala colorata in my 10 gallon tank at 38 PAR.. I've had bad luck with them in my main tank at 28 PAR, at least the ones my mollies didn't chew on end up growing weird.
There's a huge amount of variation in what people will call "low light" and "good growth" as Hoppy mentioned.. but there's also variation in the correct identification of plants which may be corrupting that list.
Was that HC really hemianthus callitrichoides, or did someone have a different plant like Hemianthus glomeratus and mistake the name? Or have Monte Carlo and fail to identify the difference (ok, monte carlo is newer than this list AFAIK, so maybe that isn't it).
In fact, it's really odd that HC, aka dwarf baby tears, is on that list, but HG, aka baby tears and a much less demanding plant, isn't...
I've had good luck with rotala sp. green and rotala colorata in my 10 gallon tank at 38 PAR.. I've had bad luck with them in my main tank at 28 PAR, at least the ones my mollies didn't chew on end up growing weird.
There's a huge amount of variation in what people will call "low light" and "good growth" as Hoppy mentioned.. but there's also variation in the correct identification of plants which may be corrupting that list.
Was that HC really hemianthus callitrichoides, or did someone have a different plant like Hemianthus glomeratus and mistake the name? Or have Monte Carlo and fail to identify the difference (ok, monte carlo is newer than this list AFAIK, so maybe that isn't it).
In fact, it's really odd that HC, aka dwarf baby tears, is on that list, but HG, aka baby tears and a much less demanding plant, isn't...
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Just wondering, is that from your own observations or have you read it somewhere? If so could you post a link or the name of the book, just interested to know how that works since I thought light drove everything.
Thanks
You shouldn't need a book... Just a basic understanding of photosynthesis should tell you that light is useless to a plant without CO2 and H2O...
Photosynthesis uses energy from light to break down CO2 (or in some cases carbonate) and H2O, and re-bind the carbon and hydrogen together into sugars, and releases the oxygen. Thus this reaction can be limited by any of the three required materials.
In terrestrial plants, CO2 is never an issue as it is abundant in air, and generally lack of water causes other more major problems for a plant. Thus, terrestrial gardeners tend to view photosynthesis as entirely light driven, as it is the only practical limiting factor.
In aquatic plants, water is never an issue, but CO2 is poorly soluble in water, and is quite often a major limiting factor if there is sufficient light.
Also, consider that under low CO2 concentrations, the plant needs to use mechanisms that concentrate carbon, or extract carbon from carbonates. Both of these require more energy, thus you get less sugar produced per quantity of electrons hitting the plant.
Photosynthesis uses energy from light to break down CO2 (or in some cases carbonate) and H2O, and re-bind the carbon and hydrogen together into sugars, and releases the oxygen. Thus this reaction can be limited by any of the three required materials.
In terrestrial plants, CO2 is never an issue as it is abundant in air, and generally lack of water causes other more major problems for a plant. Thus, terrestrial gardeners tend to view photosynthesis as entirely light driven, as it is the only practical limiting factor.
In aquatic plants, water is never an issue, but CO2 is poorly soluble in water, and is quite often a major limiting factor if there is sufficient light.
Also, consider that under low CO2 concentrations, the plant needs to use mechanisms that concentrate carbon, or extract carbon from carbonates. Both of these require more energy, thus you get less sugar produced per quantity of electrons hitting the plant.
Understood... I was just trying to give a basic explanation that should be understandable to most and give the correct overall idea.
If you start digging into a biology text you'll get more into the specific reactions of photosynthesis, but that's a very "looking at the trees not the forest" perspective.
Pretty much all texts that cover photosynthesis either:
a) Get technically deep really fast into the specific mechanisms and reactions going on. Most biology/botany books or research papers do this.
or
b) Cover it at the same simplistic level I did above (light+water+co2 = sugar + O2), and move on to other topics. Most gardening books do this, right next to the one paragraph discussion of fertilizers. Elementary school science texts also cover it at a similar level.
Regardless, given the general concepts, you could easily grab a decent biology text book and get into the specifics of photosynthesis...
You could also dive into the relevant wikipedia articles:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis
Which breaks down into 2 sets of reactions, one set depending on light, the other not but directly coupled to the light dependent reactions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-dependent_reactions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-independent_reactions
If you start digging into a biology text you'll get more into the specific reactions of photosynthesis, but that's a very "looking at the trees not the forest" perspective.
Pretty much all texts that cover photosynthesis either:
a) Get technically deep really fast into the specific mechanisms and reactions going on. Most biology/botany books or research papers do this.
or
b) Cover it at the same simplistic level I did above (light+water+co2 = sugar + O2), and move on to other topics. Most gardening books do this, right next to the one paragraph discussion of fertilizers. Elementary school science texts also cover it at a similar level.
Regardless, given the general concepts, you could easily grab a decent biology text book and get into the specifics of photosynthesis...
You could also dive into the relevant wikipedia articles:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis
Which breaks down into 2 sets of reactions, one set depending on light, the other not but directly coupled to the light dependent reactions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-dependent_reactions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-independent_reactions
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roud: Thanks mattinmd, that's a really useful post, and this is the piece of understanding I was missing. This is exactly the problem I had, I tried to gather the information from the wikipedia page to refresh my understanding, but I got so bogged down in details that I was missing the basics.mattinmd said:
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I was looking through this thread for some stem plant recommendations. Like you mention, I have tried a couple of stem plants, most recently Rotala indica, which just hasn't grown well, or much at all. I have a 20 long with a Stingray Finnex, no co2, following Barr's fertilization guide. Any suggestions for a stem plant that wouldn't be a disappointment?
Thanks!
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This was really interesting. I just used the list for inspiration- but looking up many plants on the side, to see if they need C02 (I don't add it) and what they look like in different conditions. So many I was at first interested in I don't think will do well for me at all. I don't have a PAR meter, but judging by the growth habit of my plants I think I actually have med light, or low/med perhaps...
Can anyone tell me what its like growing Aponogeton Rigidifolius in low tech med light? I saw it on the list, but what I read elsewhere online says it demands high light. I really love the look of this plant and if it has slow growth or doesn't get as big when in lower light/no C02, I'm okay w/that. It wouldn't take over...
Can anyone tell me what its like growing Aponogeton Rigidifolius in low tech med light? I saw it on the list, but what I read elsewhere online says it demands high light. I really love the look of this plant and if it has slow growth or doesn't get as big when in lower light/no C02, I'm okay w/that. It wouldn't take over...
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A low tech, liberally stocked, well-established tank with a substrate rich in organic matter and biological activity has more CO2 than most people expect.
Fish produce co2.
Aerobic bacteria (in the substrate, particularly) produce a lot of co2.
The problem imo is people over-filter tanks- all the surface agitation drives the co2 out.
I've had heavily plantedunfiltered tanks, set up in windowsills and generous supplemental light do amazing things, with much less algae than you'd assume.
I speculate it was because of the naturally produced co2
Fish produce co2.
Aerobic bacteria (in the substrate, particularly) produce a lot of co2.
The problem imo is people over-filter tanks- all the surface agitation drives the co2 out.
I've had heavily plantedunfiltered tanks, set up in windowsills and generous supplemental light do amazing things, with much less algae than you'd assume.
I speculate it was because of the naturally produced co2
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I have two nice sized java ferns, two amazon swords, and three other plants I cant remember what there names are. I have 55 gallon with 7 white clouds (one of which lookin like gonna lay some eggs) got 1 small pleco, and two cory cats, and there all friendly but those cory cats really bring some fun to the tank my wife said they look and swim like dolphins haha, ill post some pics when I can, my question is when I gravel vac should I not leave the plants be and go around them?, really don't like or think good idea to pull them out and move everytime to vac the tank, thanks
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What about using glosso with DSM to start? Aquasoil and possibly root tabs but no CO2, medium light. Would this work?
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For anyone who found this through google like I did, here is the more recent post and list. I have edited to be formatted for QOL.
I will post a Google sheets link shortly as this forum does not support tables it seems.
I will post a Google sheets link shortly as this forum does not support tables it seems.
Code:
Fresh Water Plants - Low Light Recommendations
Category Common Name Scientific Name Placement
FERNS & MOSSES African Water Fern Bolbitis heudelotii Background
Christmas Moss Vesicularia montagnei Anywhere
Erect Moss Vesicularia reticulata Anywhere
Flame Moss Taxiphyllum alternans Anywhere
Four Leaf Clover Mariselia quadrifolia Foreground
Java Fern Microsorum pteropus Midground
Java Moss Taxiphyllum barbieri Anywhere
Marimo Ball Cladophora aegagrophila Anywhere
Marsilea hirsuta Marsilea hirsuta Foreground
Mini Pellia Riccardia chamedryfolia Anywhere
Narrow Leaf Java Fern Microsorum pteropus v. 'narrow leaf' Midground
Needle Leaf Java Fern Microsorum pteropus 'needle leaf' Midground
Peacock Moss Taxiphyllum sp. 'peacock' Anywhere
Pellia Monosolenium tenerum Anywhere
Pheonix Moss Fissidens fontanus Anywhere
Philippine Java Fern Microsorum pteropus 'Philippine' Midground
Red Java fern Microsorum pteropus "red" Midground
Riccia Riccia fluitans Foreground/Floter
Round Pellia Süßwassertang Anywhere
Singapore Fissidens Fissidens sp. "Singapore" Anywhere
Singapore Moss Vesicularia dubyana Anywhere
Taiwan Moss Taxiphyllum sp. Anywhere
Thread Leaf Watersprite Ceratopteris siliquosa Background/Floter
Tropica Java Fern Microsurm pteropus 'tropica' Midground
Water Clover Mariselia minuta Foreground
Watersprite Ceratopteris thalictroides Background/Floter
Wavy Leaf Java Fern Microsorum pteropus undulata Midground
Willow Moss Fontinalis antipyretica Anywhere
Windelov Java Fern Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov' Midground
Zipper Moss Fissidens zippelianus Anywhere
Category Common Name Scientific Name Placement
STEM PLANTS American Waterweed Elodea canadensis Background
Anacharis Egeria densa Background/Floter
Bacopa Bacopa caroliniana Background
Brazilian Pennywort Hydrocotyle leucocephala Background/Floter
Ceylon Hygro Hygrophila polysperma 'Ceylon' Background
Combomba Combomba carolina Background
Downoi Pogostemon helferi Foreground/Mmidground
Dwarf Ambulia Limnophila sessiliflora Background
Fine Leafed Wisteria Hygrophila balsamica Background
Giant Hygro Hygrophila corymbosa Background
Green Hygro Hygrophila polysperma Background
Guppy Grass Najas guadalupensis Background
HC Hemianthus callitrichoides Foreground
Hornwort Ceratophylum demersum Background/Floter
Moneywort Bocapa monnieri Background
Parrots Feather Myriophyllum aquaticum Background/Floter
Red Ludwigia Ludwigia repens Background
Rotala Indica Rotala indica Background
Rotala Rotundifolia Rotala rotundifolia Background
Rotala Rotundifolia Rotala rotundifolia sp. 'Green' Background
Stargrass Heteranthera zosterifolia Background
Sunset Hygro Hygrophila polysperma 'Rosanervig' Background
Water Pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides Midground
Water Wisteria Hygrophila difformis Background
Watersprite Ceratopteris thalictroides Background/Floter
Waterwheel Plant Aldrovanda vesiculosa Background
Category Common Name Scientific Name Placement
FLOATERS Anacharis Egeria densa Background/Floter
Brazilian Pennywort Hydrocotyle leucocephala Background/Floter
Duckweed Lemna minor Floter
Giant Slavinia Salvinia molesta Floter
Hornwort Ceratophylum demersum Background/Floter
Parrots Feather Myriophyllum aquaticum Background/Floter
Red Root Floater Phyllanthus fluitans Floter
Riccia Riccia fluitans Foreground/Floter
Thread Leaf Watersprite Ceratopteris siliquosa Background/Floter
Watersprite Ceratopteris thalictroides Background/Floter
Category Common Name Scientific Name Placement
CRYPTOCORYNE Crypt Affinis Cryptocoryne affinis Midground
Crypt Aponogetifolia Cryptocoryne aponogetifolia Background
Crypt Balansae Cryptocoryne balansae Background
Crypt Becketii Cryptcoryne becketii Midground
Crypt Lutea Cryptocoryne lutea Midground
Crypt Parva Cryptocoryne parva Foreground
Crypt Pontederiifolia Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia Midground
Crypt retrospiralis Cryptocoryne retrospiralis Background
Crypt spiralis Cryptocoryne spiralis Background
Crypt Walkeri Cryptocoryne walkeri Midground
Crypt Wendtii Cryptocoryne wendtii Midground
Crypt Willisi Cryptocoryne willisi Midground
Micro Crypt Cryptocoryne petchii Foreground
Pygmy Crypt Cryptocoryne pygmaea Foreground
Category Common Name Scientific Name Placement
ANUBIAS Anubias Afzelli Anubias afzelli Midground
Anubias barteri Anubias barteri Midground
Anubias barteri 'marble' Anubias barteri 'marble' Midground
Anubias Barteri v Angustifolia Anubias barteri v angustifolia Midground
Anubias barteri v. 'glabra' Anubias barteri v. 'glabra' Midground
Anubias nana Anubias barteri v. 'nana' Anywhere
Barteri Round Leaf Anubias barteri v. ‘Round Leaf’ Background
Caladiifolia Anubias barteri v Caladiifolia Midground
Coffee leaf anubias Anubias barteri v. 'coffeefolia' Midground
Congensis Anubias congensis Background
Gigantea Anubias gigantea Background
Golden nana Anubias barteri v. 'nana golden' Anywhere
Gracilis Anubias gracilis Midground
Hastifolia Anubias hastifolia Background
Lanceolota Anubias lanceolota Background
Marbled Nana Anubias barteri nana 'Marble' Anywhere
Minima Minima Midground
Narrow leaf nana Anubias barteri v. 'nana narrow leaf' Midground
Petite nana Anubias barteri v. nana 'petite' Anywhere
Category Common Name Scientific Name Placement
SWORD PLANTS Amazon Sword Echinodorus amazonicus Background
Argentine Sword Echinodrous argentinensis Background
Melon Sword Echinodorus osiris Midground
Pygmy Chain Sword Echinodorus tenellus or Helanthium tenellum Foreground
Red Flame Sword Echinodorus 'Red Special' Midground
Ruffle Sword Echinodorus major Background
Tropica Sword Echinodorus parviflorus 'Tropica' Midground
Uruguay Amazon Sword Echinodorus uruguayensis Background
Category Common Name Scientific Name Placement
LILY'S Lotus Nymphaea pubescens Foreground
Tiger Lotus Nymphaea zenkeri Midground
Category Common Name Scientific Name Placement
GRASSES Contortion Val Vallisneria asiatica Background
Corkscrew Val Vallisneria tortifolia Background
Crinum aquatica Crinum aquatica Background
Crinum calimistratum Crinum calimistratum Background
Dwarf Hairgrass Elocharis acicularis Foreground
Dwarf Sag Sagittaria subulata Midground
Giant Hairgrass Elocharis montevidensis Background
Micro Sword Lilaeopsis braziliensis Foreground
Onion Plant Crinum thaianum Background
Valliseneria rubra Valliseneria rubra Background
Vallisneria natans Vallisneria natans Background
Water Celery Vallisneria americana Background
Category Common Name Scientific Name Placement
APONOGETONS Aponogeton bouvianus Aponogeton bouvianus Background
Aponogeton crispus Aponogeton crispus Background
Aponogeton elongatus Aponogeton elongatus Background
Aponogeton ulvaceous Aponogeton ulvaceous Midground
Aponogeton undulatus Aponogeton undulatus Background
Rigidifolius Aponogeton rigidifolius Background
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