If you’re wondering about the aquarium plants that don’t need CO2, the answer can be found in this list of popular aquarium plants that don’t need CO2! These are all excellent choices if your tank doesn’t have adequate CO2 injection already or you’re just looking to save a bit of money on your next aquarium purchase!
Not all aquarium plants need CO2 to grow and thrive, and some of them are even so easy to keep that you don’t need any other aquarium equipment in order to grow them. If you want something aesthetically pleasing as well as easy to maintain, these 20 popular aquarium plants that don’t need CO2 should be on your list!
Do fish produce enough CO2 for plants?
The answer to this question is no. Fish need oxygen and produce CO2, but it isn’t enough for plants. This is why many fish tanks require a CO2 tank to keep the plants happy and healthy. These tanks have CO2 pumping through them and giving off a little bit of gas.
However, there are some aquarium plants that don’t need CO2 at all, or may only need minimal amounts! The easiest way to check if you need CO2 is by looking at your plant’s leaves. If they’re pale green, you probably need more CO2. But if they’re darker green (usually darker than grass), then you probably have enough CO2 for your plant and it doesn’t need any additional supplementation.
Aquarium Plants That Don’t Need CO2
Java Fern (Leptochilus pteropus)
Java ferns are one of the most popular and easy-to-find aquarium plants that don’t need CO2. Their leaves are thin and wiry, with pointed tips, which allow for good light penetration. They grow quickly and can tolerate a wide range of conditions. If you want to keep them healthy, they should be trimmed every few months with scissors or shears; any old leaves can be removed at this time as well.
Once the plant has been cut back, it will begin growing new leaves in just a few days. These plants can also be propagated by taking four-inch sections of new growth and replanting them in their own potting soil.
Cryptocoryne (Crypt Aquarium Plant)
Cryptocoryne is one of the most popular aquarium plants for beginners because it’s hardy, easy to care for, and does not need CO2 injection. With a color range from deep green to red, Cryptocoryne makes an excellent addition to any tank setup. It grows well in low-light conditions, so it’s perfect for those who keep their tanks in dark places or want to save on electricity.
In comparison to other types of plants that require intense light, Cryptocorynes are low maintenance and do not require too much attention. It has also been shown that fish with strong colors benefit from having this plant in their environment.
Amazon Swords (Echinodorus grisebachii or Echinodorus amazonicus)
Amazon swords are the most popular plant in the aquarium hobby. They are not demanding about lighting or water conditions, making them one of the easiest plants to keep alive.
Amazon swords grow well in a planted tank with proper fertilization, but they can also be grown in driftwood or rock gardens. The broad leaves provide good cover for fry and small fish. With their relatively high growth rate and resilience, this is one of the best plants for beginners that don’t want to worry about keeping up with co2 injection schedules.
Vallisneria (eelgrass)
Vallisneria (also known as eelgrass) is one of the most popular aquarium plants. It grows well in both low and high light, but it needs a lot of space to grow, which can be difficult if you are new to aquariums and are trying to figure out what plants will work for your tank.
Vallisneria can also get very long, so it needs lots of space at the bottom of the tank to grow freely. If you have a nano or pico tank with little room for plant growth, this plant might not be best for you.
The downside to using Vallisneria is that it does need co2 supplementation to do well in an aquarium. If you don’t want to provide extra care by adding co2, there are plenty of other options that don’t require this treatment.
Water wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
Water wisteria, also known as Hygrophila difformis, is a popular aquarium plant that doesn’t need co2. It’s native to India and Sri Lanka and can grow up to six feet long with leaves that measure up to two feet long. Water wisteria has one of the highest light requirements of all plants in an aquarium.
If kept in too low light conditions it will eventually become etiolated and grow very slowly. They do best when they are placed right under a strong light source such as fluorescent or LED lights. They require a lot of nutrients to maintain healthy growth and should be planted in a substrate deep enough so that they are completely submerged.
Pennywort (Centella asiatica)
Pennywort is a low-growing plant with heart-shaped leaves and has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. In the aquarium, Pennywort is an attractive choice for foreground plants. The leaves can be up to 3 inches long and grow from a creeping rhizome.
Pennywort is easily propagated by dividing the rooted plant or by planting a leaf cutting in moist soil. Pennywort will thrive in moderate lighting but will do better in bright conditions. A pennywort deficiency may be indicated by stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and wilting on the edges of new growths.
Duckweed (Lemna minor)
Duckweed is a small, floating plant that requires very little attention to survive. It can grow in almost any type of water and is one of the most popular aquarium plants. Duckweed thrives in low light conditions, so it’s often grown under other plants. The plant can be used as a form of natural filtration because it absorbs phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, and heavy metals.
This makes it an excellent addition to any planted aquarium! Duckweed is extremely resilient and will bounce back even if you accidentally cut off some of its leaves. However, this doesn’t mean that you should let your guard down: be sure to regularly monitor the amount of duckweed in your tank by pulling up pieces with a net or siphoning out excess algae from the surface with a suction cup.
Hygrophila Polysperma (Indian waterweed)
Indian waterweed is a popular aquarium plant that doesn’t need CO2 because it can grow in low-light conditions. It has long, thin leaves that are usually green or dark purple in color, and grows well when attached to rocks or driftwood. You’ll need to trim the stems of this type of plant every few weeks to keep it from growing out of control.
A 10-gallon tank would be a good fit for this plant. Vallisneria: Vallisneria, also known as eelgrass or tape grass, is another option for tanks without CO2 because it does well in low-light environments. The stems are thick with many little leaves on them which will eventually produce flowers if given enough time to grow.
Fontinalis Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica)
Fontinalis Moss is a great plant for beginners or those who are looking for something low-maintenance. It only needs to be submerged and does not need any additional lighting from CO2 or fertilizers. This moss can grow both in the water column and on surfaces, although it prefers to grow on surfaces like rocks, tree branches, and driftwood.
Livebearers such as Guppies and Mollies will often choose this moss as their hiding place. Additionally, this plant is incredibly hardy withstanding fluctuations in temperature of up to 20 degrees Celsius.
Dwarf Sagittaria (Sagittaria subulata)
Dwarf Sagittaria is one of the more popular aquarium plants. It has a small, compact shape that makes it perfect for tanks with limited space. This plant also grows quickly and offers great cover for a fish fry.
Dwarf Sagittaria requires no CO2 supplementation to grow well and produces a beautiful white flower at the end of its long stem. Its roots are also difficult to see, so this plant can be used as an excellent ground cover.
Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
Hornwort, also known as Ceratophyllum demersum, is an excellent plant for aquariums. It needs a lot of light and does not require CO2. The leaves are thin and look like long fingers.
When kept wet, the leaves will grow and take on a greenish-brown coloration. Hornwort is an excellent plant for oxygenating the water of your tank, which will help keep your fish healthy. You can use this plant to create hiding spaces or make it the main focal point of your design. You can even use it to fill in gaps between other plants if you need more space in your tank!
Java moss (Vesicularia dubyana)
Java moss is a moss that is native to Southeast Asia. The plant has been used as a decoration in aquariums for many years, and it is still one of the most popular plants today.
Java moss grows best when kept in indirect sunlight and will quickly start to grow on any surface it touches, including rocks and wood. The moss can often be found at pet stores or online, but it can also be grown from spores if you want to try your hand at something new!
One important thing to note about java moss is that it doesn’t need co2 like other plants. It needs high light levels, moderate water flow, and low nutrients. It does not require co2 but instead thrives on low nutrients.
Ludwigia repens (Creeping Primrose-Willow)
Ludwigia repens is a common, low-growing plant that can be found in most aquarium stores. It’s an excellent choice for beginners because it doesn’t require much light and will quickly cover the bottom of your tank. This plant has broad leaves with a reddish tinge that are usually floating on top of the water.
Ludwigia repens grows well with minimal lighting and CO2 supplementation, but plants may grow more slowly if there is insufficient light. The creeping primrose-willow also does well in hard or alkaline water conditions. As this plant grows, it spreads laterally to create a carpet over the substrate, giving the fish plenty of places to hide from predators.
Brazilian Pennywort (Hydrocotyle leucocephala)
Brazilian pennywort is a popular aquarium plant because it is easy to care for and has a lovely, dark green color. It is one of the few plants that will grow well without CO2 or fertilizers and can thrive in both low-light and high-light tanks. It prefers to be planted in the substrate at the bottom of the tank but can also be placed on top of a rock or driftwood.
This makes it a great plant for beginners who are just starting out with planted tanks. In order to keep this plant healthy and growing, you’ll want to provide it with regular doses of fertilizer once every two weeks. Other than that, there’s not much else you need to do!
Marimo Moss Balls (Aegagropila linnaei)
Marimo Moss Balls are a popular choice for most aquariums because they’re easy to care for and can be found in almost any color imaginable. These moss balls are often enjoyed as a novelty but they also provide an excellent surface for nitrifying bacteria to thrive. They don’t require any special lighting or substrates and can survive with very little water changes.
Red Tiger Lotus (Nypmhaea Zenkeri)
The red tiger lotus is a beautiful aquatic plant that can be found in slow-moving waters in the wild. The plant has been cultivated for over 1000 years, but it was only discovered as a houseplant within the last 100 years. It’s now one of the most popular aquarium plants because of its stunning appearance and low light requirements.
As an aquatic plant, it prefers to live underwater rather than on top of the water like terrestrial plants do. A healthy red tiger lotus will have four or more leaves (known as petals) on each stem and grow up to 6 inches tall. It’s not known exactly why this type of lotus thrives without CO2 supplementation, but this attribute makes it a popular choice for beginners looking to keep their tanks simple and uncomplicated.
Micro sword (Lilaeopsis brasiliensis)
The Micro sword is a great plant for beginner aquarists, as it can grow in a wide range of lighting and water conditions. These plants typically stay short and are not high maintenance.
They are often sold as a seedling or small plant, with roots that can be attached to substrate in the aquarium. The micro sword is great for beginners because they are easy to grow and maintain. The plant stays relatively small and low-maintenance. Micro swords are usually sold as seeds or young plants, which you can attach to the substrate in your aquarium.
Moneywort (Bacopa monnieri)
Moneywort is a low-growing plant that spreads rapidly, making it a great candidate for carpeting the bottom of your tank. This plant is super easy to grow and doesn’t need any special care. In fact, it thrives in low light conditions and will even do well without any nutrients or CO2 injection!
If you’re looking for an easy way to spruce up your aquarium, moneywort is a great place to start. They’ll thrive on the shadier side of your tank and are highly resistant to algae buildup.
It’s a fairly small plant with bright green leaves that get thicker as they get older, which makes them perfect for replicating marshy areas in nature. Give this one a shot if you have some spare time but don’t want anything too high maintenance!
Anubias plants
The anubias plants are great aquarium plants because they are both hardy and easy to grow. Anubias plants can be planted in different ways in your tank, including attaching them to driftwood or rocks.
They also have a long life span and grow quickly, so you’ll have a lot of coverage in your tank with just one plant. These aquatic plants can be difficult to find at the store, but they’re worth the effort because they require very little maintenance.
