plants that work with platies

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foldon
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:03 pm

plants that work with platies

Post by foldon »

What plants do y'all recommend for a tank with platies? I've got a 20 gallon with sand substrate and moderate lighting. Looking for something hardy that won't get destroyed by them nibbling.
wyrmkin
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 8:53 pm

Re: plants that work with platies

Post by wyrmkin »

Java Fern and Anubias are solid choices. They're tough, don't need much light, and platies usually leave 'em alone. I've had luck with Amazon Swords too, but they need root tabs in sand.
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Citrus
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:26 am

Re: plants that work with platies

Post by Citrus »

I second Java Fern and Anubias. Also, try Hornwort. It grows fast and provides cover, which platies love. Just be ready to trim it often.
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norbay_7
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2024 6:44 am

Re: plants that work with platies

Post by norbay_7 »

Agree with the above. My platies don't bother Java Fern at all. It's been thriving in my low-tech setup.
SparrowFly
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2022 2:57 pm

Re: plants that work with platies

Post by SparrowFly »

If you want something different, Water Wisteria is a good pick. It's easy to grow and platies seem to like swimming through it. Just make sure your lighting is decent.
RiverKai
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2024 3:15 pm

Re: plants that work with platies

Post by RiverKai »

Dude, go for Vallisneria. It's like a jungle in there, and platies dig it. Just don't let it take over.
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Bronx97
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:39 am

Re: plants that work with platies

Post by Bronx97 »

Vallisneria is legit. Also, try some floating plants like Frogbit. Platies love the shade, and it helps keep algae down.
darkhunt
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 5:28 pm

Re: plants that work with platies

Post by darkhunt »

Frogbit is cool, but it can block light for other plants. Maybe mix it with Duckweed if you're feeling brave.
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bronx
Posts: 16
Joined: Sat Oct 14, 2023 8:40 am

Re: plants that work with platies

Post by bronx »

RiverKai wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 1:23 am Dude, go for Vallisneria. It's like a jungle in there, and platies dig it. Just don't let it take over.
Vallisneria is great, but it can be a pain to manage if it spreads too much. Regular trimming helps.
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Lyn
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat May 07, 2022 5:00 am

Re: plants that work with platies

Post by Lyn »

I've had good luck with Cryptocoryne. It's slow-growing but super hardy. Platies don't mess with it much.
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