Starting a planted tank in India is easier than it looks — the trick is choosing plants that are forgiving, thrive in normal tank conditions, and don’t need expensive CO₂ or high-output lighting. Below are seven beginner-proof aquarium plants, why each one is so easy, and how to keep it happy. Every one of these ships across India with a live-arrival guarantee.
Building your first tank? Follow our step-by-step guide on how to set up a planted aquarium.
Quick answer: The seven most beginner-proof aquarium plants in India are Anubias (Nana and Barteri), Java fern, Java moss, Cryptocoryne wendtii, Water Wisteria, Bucephalandra and Vallisneria — all comfortable around 20–28°C in low to moderate light with no CO2. Start with the rhizome plants (Anubias, Java fern, Bucephalandra): they attach to wood or rock and need no special substrate.
1. Anubias (Nana & Barteri)
The plant we recommend to almost every beginner. Anubias is nearly indestructible: low light, no CO₂, and it attaches to wood or rock instead of needing special substrate. Just don’t bury the rhizome. Nana and Nana Petite are perfect for the front; Barteri suits the midground.
Care: low light · 22–28°C · attach to hardscape. → Shop Anubias
2. Java Fern
Another rhizome plant that’s almost impossible to kill. Hardy, slow, and happy in low light, Java fern attaches to driftwood and rock and tolerates a wide range of water. Great for hiding equipment and giving fish cover.
Care: low–moderate light · 20–28°C · attach to hardscape. → Shop Ferns & Mosses
3. Java Moss
The easiest moss there is — drape it over wood and rock for instant lush texture, or use it as a carpet and a nursery for shrimp and fry. It grows in almost any freshwater tank with no special care.
Care: low–high light · 20–30°C · attach to surfaces. → Shop Ferns & Mosses
4. Cryptocoryne wendtii
A hardy rooted plant that forms lush rosettes of wavy leaves — ideal for the midground. Plant the crown in substrate and be patient through the early “crypt melt”; new growth quickly follows.
Care: low–moderate light · 22–28°C · plant in substrate.
5. Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
A fast-growing stem plant with delicate, fern-like leaves. Because it grows quickly, it naturally soaks up excess nutrients and helps starve algae — a great starter background plant. Plant it or let it float.
Care: low–high light · 22–28°C · plant or float.
6. Bucephalandra
Often thought of as advanced, but it’s actually as easy as Anubias — a compact rhizome plant that attaches to hardscape and thrives in low light. Its bronze-green leaves and blue sheen add a premium touch to nano tanks.
Care: low–moderate light · 22–28°C · attach to hardscape. → Shop Bucephalandra
7. Vallisneria
The classic background grass. Vallisneria sends up tall ribbon-like leaves and spreads via runners into a swaying green curtain — a fast way to fill the back of a beginner tank.
Care: moderate light · 20–28°C · plant in substrate.
What each plant does in your tank
- Anubias: broad leaves that give fish shade and resting spots, and a surface that shrimp graze.
- Java fern: taller cover that hides the heater and filter and gives shy fish somewhere to retreat.
- Java moss: soft cover that traps food for shrimp and shelters fry.
- Cryptocoryne wendtii: bushy rosettes that fill the midground between the wood and the sand.
- Water Wisteria: a fast grower that takes up spare nutrients, which helps against algae in a new tank.
- Bucephalandra: slow, compact colour for stones at the front.
- Vallisneria: a tall green background that spreads by runners.
Where to put them in a first 60 cm tank
Think in three rows. At the back, plant Vallisneria along the glass and let its runners fill the corners; Water Wisteria can stand beside it. In the middle, set one piece of driftwood and tie Java fern to its upper branches, with Cryptocoryne planted in front of the wood. At the front, tie or glue Anubias Nana to the lower wood and small stones, add Bucephalandra on a rock, and drape Java moss where the wood meets the sand. Keep an open strip of sand at the front for swimming space and easy cleaning.
How to tie your first Anubias
- Find the rhizome: the firm green stem that runs sideways, with leaves on top and roots below.
- Hold it flat against the wood or stone, with the end that grows new leaves pointing where you want it to spread.
- Wrap cotton thread or fishing line around the rhizome three or four times between the leaves, snug but not tight, and knot it underneath. A small dab of gel superglue on a dry surface works too.
- Put it in the tank with the rhizome uncovered. The roots usually grip within a few weeks.
Cryptocoryne and Vallisneria are different: they are planted, not tied. Push the roots into the substrate and keep the crown, where the leaves meet the roots, just above it.
Which Anubias is best for beginners?
Anubias Nana is the best Anubias for most beginner tanks: it suits the foreground, grows in low light with no CO2 and costs ₹90 for size S (up to 5 leaves). For a bigger tank, pick Anubias Barteri var. glabra, whose larger leaves fill the midground or background. Both attach to wood or rock.
Want to compare leaf size, growth rate and price? See all the types of Anubias side by side.
Small aquarium plants for nano tanks
Quick answer: The best small aquarium plants for nano tanks are Anubias Nana Petite (1–2 cm leaves), Bucephalandra, Java moss and dwarf Java fern. All stay compact, grow slowly in low light without CO2, and attach to rock or wood, so a 10–20 litre tank never overgrows.
For a size-by-size comparison see Anubias Nana vs Nana Petite, or browse the Anubias aquarium plants range graded S–XL.
Care at a glance
| Factor | Anubias | Java fern | Java moss | Bucephalandra | Vallisneria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Low to moderate | Low to moderate | Low to high | Low to moderate | Low to high (best moderate to high) |
| CO2 | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not needed |
| Temperature | 22–28 °C | 20–28 °C | 20–30 °C | 22–28 °C | 20–28 °C |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 | 6.0–7.5 | About 5.5–8.0 | 6.0–7.5 | 6.5–8.5 |
| Growth | Slow, roughly one new leaf every 2–3 weeks | Slow to moderate | Moderate | Very slow | Fast; spreads by runners |
| Placement | Front, on wood or stones | Midground and background, on wood or rock | Over wood and rock; cover for shrimp | Front, on stones and wood | Background |
| How to attach | Tie or glue the rhizome; never bury it | Tie or glue the rhizome; never bury it; remove the grow plug first | Spread thin, then tie with thread or glue | Tie or glue the rhizome; never bury it | Plant it: roots in the substrate, crown above it |
Beginner buying tips
- Start with rhizome plants (Anubias, Java fern, Bucephalandra) — they’re the most forgiving and don’t need substrate.
- Don’t chase carpets first — dense carpets usually want bright light and CO₂. Build confidence with the plants above.
- Acclimate on arrival — rinse gently in dechlorinated water and remove any damaged leaves before planting.
- Buy healthy stock — a strong, well-rooted plant from a trusted source survives far better than a cheap, tired one.
Ready to plant your first tank? Browse our beginner-friendly aquarium plant collection — hand-picked, healthy, and delivered across India with a live-arrival guarantee.
Grown in Surat (pre-order plants imported to order) · live-arrival guarantee with a 4-hour unboxing video · ₹99 shipping, free from ₹999
Care guides for each plant
- Anubias care guide
- Java fern care guide
- Java moss care guide
- Cryptocoryne wendtii care guide
- Water wisteria care guide
- Bucephalandra care guide
- Vallisneria care guide
Also useful: how long to run aquarium lights, why new plants melt after delivery and common beginner mistakes.
Start with the Anubias Five
One of each of our five Surat-grown Anubias, sized by leaf count.
Build your setFrequently asked questions
Which aquarium plant is easiest for beginners?
Anubias and Java fern are the easiest. They grow in low light without CO2 and attach to wood or rock, so there is no special substrate to get wrong.
Do beginner aquarium plants need CO2?
No. All seven plants in this guide grow without CO2 in ordinary tank lighting.
Why are my new plants melting?
Some leaf loss after planting is normal while plants adjust to new water, especially with Cryptocoryne. Remove melted leaves and give them a few weeks.
