Potted aquarium plants
Potted aquarium plants: carpeting plants, crypts, stem plants, anubias and ferns for a new or established planted tank.
How to choose?
Advice and care
How to choose and plant potted plants
A potted plant is large and ready: remove the pot and rockwool, then plant with tweezers.
Plan the layout
Plan the fore-, mid- and background before planting so tall plants do not shade low ones.
Split it up
A larger clump can be split into smaller portions to cover a wider area.
Rhizomes on wood
Do not bury anubias or Java fern: tie or glue the rhizome to stone or wood.
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All brandsFrequently asked questions
Should I remove the rockwool before planting?
Yes, remove as much rockwool as you can, as it does not belong in the substrate. You can trim the roots a little if needed.
How soon do potted plants start growing?
Most plants root within a few weeks. Some leaves may melt in the first weeks while the plant adapts to life underwater.
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Potted plants suit a new aquarium well, as each pot holds several strong plants grown in rockwool. They have more leaves and roots than tissue-culture plants, so the tank looks filled in straight after planting and the plants compete with algae for nutrients from day one.
Choose plants by position and difficulty. Carpeting plants go in the foreground, crypts and low bushes in the middle, tall stem plants at the back. Undemanding plants grow under a standard light without CO2, while demanding carpets and red plants need strong light, CO2 and fertiliser. Each product page lists the plant's height and its light and CO2 needs.
Plant stems one by one or in small bunches, since the lower stems in a dense clump get no light. Do not bury rhizome plants in the substrate. Plant them soon after arrival and keep them moist until then.
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