10 Reviews: Best Aquatic Plants for Betta Fish (Dec 2023)

Betta fish adore this Hygrophila, a kind of broad-leafed plant since the leaves provide ideal resting sites. This plant can grow up to 28 inches tall, offering enough background cover for shy fish. It has vivid green leaves, and there is also a red-leafed variety that adds a pop of color to your space if your lighting levels are sufficient.

One of the greatest live plants for betta tanks is Anubias nana! The plant’s wide leaves provide a great hammock for a resting betta, and it’s also quite simple to care for. The plant grows slowly, grows to a tiny size, and does not need harsh lighting, making it excellent for a small aquarium. Anubias is versatile enough to be adhered to driftwood or rooted in aquarium substrate if preferred.

Arrived healthy and hearty! Has done amazingly in my tank. No problems with rotting and no issues with snails eating it. Anubias typically make great hearty plants that can't be killed easily.

by ColoradoBlues

Aquascaping enthusiasts often use this plant as a carpet plant in tropical tank designs. Self-propagation occurs when the plant sends out runners underneath the substrate. New sword plants grow all along the runners’ length. These tiny plants mature and grow, spreading out even more down the aquarium’s floor until a rich “lawn” of plants emerges. What’s more, to boost growth and spread, the plant does need a lot of light and a nutrient-rich substrate.

For its tolerance for a wide range of aquarium conditions and hardiness, a green gecko is an excellent option for new hobbyists. The leaves are light green with a dark red-brown midrib and a reddish-brown zone in the middle of the leaf around the stalk. Bettas prefer to sleep on the plant’s leaves, which have wavy leaf edges that provide a wonderful hammock for your dozing fish.

Item was packed well, no issues with leaves. Tried planting into substrate as directions suggested but plant kept floating up to the surface. Gently tied to a small rock and planted under substrate. I am using betta aquarium rock and not soil. It has been 4 days and so far, so good. My betta seems to like his 2.5 gallon tank.

by Susan Jackson

Mini Bolbitis is a small, fine-leaved dwarf fern that is occasionally marketed under the name Bolbitis heteroclita difformis. The plant can grow submerged or immersed, although the underwater part of the plant grows slowly and has smaller parsley-like leaves than the plant’s emergent section. The plant can be grown attached to driftwood or rocks with twine until the roots take over to form an anchor.

Larger than I expected. About 4 inches including root. Really tough leaves, dark green color. Very hardy. one of my best plants. My Java ferns and Anubious are the only other plants I've found that are as hardy as this plant. I highly recommend. With most plants you order you don't know what they'll look like or if they'll live. This one is a safe bet!

by Amelia Houchins

The Anubias nana petite is the most adorable of the Anubias species. This little plant is ideal for micro tanks and is very simple to maintain. Anubias Nanas is very tiny and simple to care for. They remain small enough to fit in any aquarium with a capacity of more than 2 gallons and don’t need intense lighting. They may be rooted in the substrate as well as connected to rocks and driftwood.

Absolutely healthy and our betta’s favorite bed to rest on! Having never ordered live plants before, I was curious how healthy or damaged it would be. It was wrapped well and packaged appropriately, that it arrived in one safe piece. The plant is healthy and hearty! I’m exceptionally pleased with my purchase! Order to delivery was very quick too!

by crybott

For good reason, Java Moss is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium plants. This plant is hardy, low-maintenance, and attractive. Overall, Java Moss is an excellent choice for Betta fish beginners. The growth of Java Moss does not need the use of high-intensity lighting. It also doesn’t need rooting into the substrate, making it a popular option among Betta fish owners.

Great moss! Bought several times. Which they had more products through the zon. Great condition, beautiful green color. No pests in product. Fish love it. I took a dollar store soap dish with suction cups on the back, filed it up with this moss and its the only place my 3 bettas will sleep.

by Rhonda

If you just have the money to buy one plant to create a dense underwater forest, Vallisneria (or val) is the way to go. This tall, grass-like water plant is very durable and can flourish in a variety of conditions. It also multiplies like wildfire once it’s set in your aquarium, putting forth new runners with young plants every few days. Choose this plant to quickly fill the back of your aquarium while also providing natural line-of-sight barriers for your territorial betta.

My vallisneria showed up in really good shape, I was able to split it into 3 sizable portions. It's been doing ok while adjusting to my tank and after about a month, I think I'm starting to notice the new growth on it.

by Jeremy C.

Consider filling a huge aquarium with a massive sword plant, such as an Amazon sword or a red flame sword. This easy-to-care-for aquarium favorite is valued for its large, wide leaves, which offer resting and hiding locations for aquatic critters. When the sword plant reaches a certain size, it will start to produce long spikes that will eventually convert into baby sword plants that you may spread in other fish tanks.

The Amazon Sword I got from them is doing amazing it was very healthy looking when I bought it and is still looking really good and thriving in my tank.

by Kelsey

For its long, thick leaves and low maintenance needs, the Java fern is one of the most popular aquarium plants. The needle leaf, trident, and Windelov (or lace) java ferns are among the many varieties of this slow-growing plant. It has a rhizome, which is a thick, horizontal “stem” that produces leaves on top and roots on the bottom. Rhizome plants are special in that they don’t need any substrate or gravel to grow; just use super glue gel to stick them to a rock or driftwood and position it anywhere you like in the aquarium.

I love how lush this plant is. I plan on buying a couple more. It’s great to combine them with other types of plants. They set off my aquarium so well

by Randy C.