What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Talk about your fresh water plants here
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pepper
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:16 pm

What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Post by pepper »

I'm setting up a low-tech tank and need some plant recommendations. What's your favorite easy-to-grow plant that doesn't need CO2 or fancy lights?
BoldRom
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:38 pm

Re: What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Post by BoldRom »

Anubias is my go-to. It's super hardy, grows slow but steady, and doesn't mind low light. I've got mine tied to driftwood in a 20-gallon with basic LED lighting, and it's thriving. Just don't bury the rhizome.
dusky9
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2022 11:54 pm

Re: What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Post by dusky9 »

BoldRom wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 5:31 pm Anubias is my go-to. It's super hardy, grows slow but steady, and doesn't mind low light. I've got mine tied to driftwood in a 20-gallon with basic LED lighting, and it's thriving. Just don't bury the rhizome.
Yep, Anubias is a champ. I've even had it survive in a tank with zero ferts and minimal water changes. Java Fern is another solid pick if you want variety.
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kicks
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2022 2:51 am

Re: What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Post by kicks »

Java Moss, hands down. It's basically indestructible. I've got it in a 10-gallon with a sponge filter and no heater, and it's spreading like crazy. Perfect for shrimp tanks too.
sandbaker
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:09 pm

Re: What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Post by sandbaker »

Cryptocoryne Wendtii is underrated. It melts at first but bounces back strong. My 30-gallon has it in sand substrate, and it's lush with just a cheap LED strip.
fluxon
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:49 pm

Re: What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Post by fluxon »

kicks wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 6:52 pm Java Moss, hands down. It's basically indestructible. I've got it in a 10-gallon with a sponge filter and no heater, and it's spreading like crazy. Perfect for shrimp tanks too.
Java Moss is great, but it can get messy if you don't trim it regularly. I prefer Marimo balls for zero maintenance.
foxhunter
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:18 pm

Re: What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Post by foxhunter »

Hornwort is my fave. It grows like a weed, even in my dimly lit 55-gallon. Just float it or plant it, and it'll soak up nitrates like a sponge. Plus, my betta loves hiding in it.
raylyn
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:25 pm

Re: What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Post by raylyn »

Amazon Sword is a classic. It needs root tabs but otherwise thrives in low tech. My 40-gallon has two, and they're almost too big now. Great for filling space.
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oceanorb
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2023 4:38 pm

Re: What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Post by oceanorb »

foxhunter wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 10:52 pm Hornwort is my fave. It grows like a weed, even in my dimly lit 55-gallon. Just float it or plant it, and it'll soak up nitrates like a sponge. Plus, my betta loves hiding in it.
Hornwort is solid, but it sheds like crazy. I switched to Water Wisteria for similar benefits without the mess.
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polaris
Posts: 24
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2022 5:35 pm

Re: What's Your Favorite Low-Tech Plant?

Post by polaris »

Duckweed gets a bad rap, but it's killer for nitrate control. Just be ready to scoop it out weekly unless you wanna be overrun.
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