Aquatic Plant Care

Plants can be successfully grown in water, as the thriving vast aquatic plant life in the ocean has shown us. It is common to see a pond full of water lilies, lotus, hyacinth, and even algae. But when we get some aquatic plants to grow in aquarium or ponds in our homes, they look quite 'not happy'. The answer is obvious, in the wild, nature takes care of a plant's needs, but while creating an environment that is close to natural, but not natural enough, we miss out on some basic details.

Aquatic Plant Identification

These plants are different from the ones that grow on land, only in the way they grow but not how they grow. Primarily there are two types of plants that grow in water: floating and rooted. The former is the rootless, and floats on the water, whereas rooted ones grow on the ocean bed. There are many more aquatic plant species that are categorized under these two types.

• Floating plants: Floating plants do not attach to the water bed, however they have roots that are usually found hanging into the water, underside. Some of the common ones known are duckweed and water hyacinth.
• Rooted Plants: These plants have roots firmly rooted to the water bed. Some of them may emerge above the water's surface, while some never do. Common ones include pondweed, hydrilla, etc.

Basic Care of Aquarium Plants

Caring for aquatic plants involves a perfect balance between light, CO2 and nutrients. These plants oxygenate water, thereby contributing to maintaining a balanced water pH. Photosynthesis is essential for all plant life. Without adequate life light plants stop growing, eventually rotting and dying. However, some aquarium plants survive in murky and low-light waters, while some need plenty of light to thrive. This detail will need to checked at the store you purchase the plant from. Two watts per gallon is a general rule. Fluorescent bulbs can be used effectively, but for dense and/or deep tanks halide and mercury vapor lights are recommended.

Supplementation of CO2 is also needed to promote plant growth, as carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthetic process. Light and CO2 go hand in hand. A canister filter or tank which has the capacity to release CO2 periodically in the aquarium may also be used. Besides this, other nutrients needed for plant growth such as potassium, iron, nitrogen, phosphorus, hydrogen, magnesium, etc. can also be supplemented through water soluble fertilizers. One should be careful while adding supplement, water pH balance should not be disturbed.

Do not over crowd the aquarium. Plant only healthy plants and scout for decaying or dead leaves. Keep an eye for all dead roots as these will rot in the substrate. For plants that are grown through tubers or rhizomes, they should be placed at an angle where their tips are above the substrate. Water too needs to be changed, but at longer intervals. Keep the aquarium clean at all times to inhibit the growth of fungus or algae.

Choose from any of these plants to grow in your aquarium; Indian fern, water lilies, Java fern, sword plant, vallis, etc. With some basic care, one can have an aquarium or a water pond full of happy and thriving plants!