Help with Identification

all plants will grow towards the light, that does not have any indication at all on whether or not they are high light or medium light plants. I think you are confusing lighting with scape placement? the tall plants should be background plants, and the shorter ones should be midground plants.

anyway, it is really difficult to tell from the picture. The one in the middle is probably some sort of hygrophila sp, but if it is flowering, its more likely a terrestrial plant. where did you buy them?

the plants on the sides that are growing up tall are terrestrial plants, they will quickly die and rot in your tank, regardless of the conditions you give them. I'd suggest that you look for some plants on the Swap N Shop, people on this website sell the plants that they grow to each other for really cheap. Its a really good, reliable way to get true aquatic plants. clearly you have the interest in the hobby, so you should get only the best

i've heard on these forums before that "he who buys cheap buys twice" ...just some good words to live by. welcome to the Planted Tank forums! i haven't been on here for all that long, but its an incredibly helpful website. glad you took the time to join!

Not terrestrial plants

The ones on the sides are not terrestrial plants; they have all the makings of true aquatic plants: no protective wax on leaves (water does not bead up on them, appear to absorb water when submerged), THEY DO NOT HOLD THEIR SHAPE AT ALL OUT OF WATER.

Um, I'm not really sure why you thought I said "because they grow towards the light that made them high light." Never said that. I said, "the way they are growing". They are growing fast in high light.

The ones in the center with some flowering may not be true aquatic, however the fact that I bought them with some flowering does not necessarily make them not true-aquatic.

I'll have to post some better pictures!


THE LEAF TEST
Check the leave of the plant by pouring water over it. The aquatic plant will look like its absorbing the water. Water on a non aquatic plant will bead up and run off quickly.

True aquatic plants don't have a coating that protects them from dehydration like houseplants. Aquatic leaves are thinner, lighter, and more delicate than above water leaves. They're often translucent and hairless. These leaves absorb nutrients from the water much as the roots of house plants. Aquatic leaves may also have air pockets to stay afloat. But thick, opaque leaves (usually with rotting edges) usually indicate a non aquatic plant.

THE RIGIDITY TEST
Pick up the plant and holding it out of the water. True aquatic plants can't support their weight. Their stems are soft so they can bend with the movement of water and may contain air pockets to help them float. Plants that spend their whole lives submerged won't hold their shape.

The exceptions are bog plants and marginal plants. Bog plants such as Amazon swords, crypts, Java ferns, live on the edges of rivers and lakes and deal with fluctuating water levels. Many bog plants will survive fully submerged but they do better if allowed to send out aerial (above water) leaves.

Marginal plants such as cattails, rushes, irises, usually die if fully submerged. Their leaves are truly aerial, but the plant just adapted itself to live with its roots submerged.

THE GRANDMA TEST
Did your grandmother grow that plant? Or have one that looked like it? Have you seen something like it in a garden center? Neighbor's yard? Botanical garden? If the answer is yes, you can be 100% sure it's not an aquatic plant.