Ever since I started my at-home aquarium, it has been my mission to make it as beautiful as possible, with plants that thrive just as much as the fish do. When you don’t have a specialty store nearby, you have to get creative. Learn where to buy live aquatic plants online, and what varieties I would suggest for hobbyists of all types.
My Top Online Aquarium Plant Stores
Determining the best places to buy aquatic plants requires extensive research and experience. These providers offer the finest selections and the highest quality.
1. Aqua Forest Aquarium
Aqua Forest Aquarium is one of my favorite go-to places due to its wide variety. It has everything, including exotic plants. If you don’t know how to take care of something, Aqua Forest probably has a super detailed blog post, workshop or customer service representative on deck to answer any questions. It sustainably sources all of its live plants and offers a wide range of supplements and substrates to support their well-being. With everything being Aqua Design Amano-endorsed (ADA), you know you’re getting the best.
2. Buce Plant
Buce Plant is named after one of its famed offerings, the Bucephalandra. In addition to live plants, I have also perused its hardscaping and aquascaping materials. It frequently stocks new arrivals and offers discounts on tons of its products. Buce Plant has a significant social media presence and offers engagement opportunities, if you want to feel like part of a community.
3. Wetplants
Wetplants has an extensive, well-organized catalog. If you have betta fish, you can find plants specifically designed for them. If you’re on a budget, categorize based on the current deal of the day. The interface for Wetplants is one of its biggest advantages, in addition to its array of starter kits and proactive, personable customer service. Each product comes with a health guarantee, ensuring it will arrive safely and securely.
4. Aquarium Co-Op
Aquarium Co-Op is great if you want an online retailer dedicated to education above all else. Its aquatic plant care instructions are accessible, and hobbyists of all levels can learn something from this retailer. There are even video tutorials, which is my preferred method of learning. If you are someone who often spends a little too much on plant care for your aquariums, you’ll enjoy Aquarium Co-Op’s free shipping on orders of $75 or more. Sometimes, the team will even throw in a free t-shirt.
5. Flip Aquatics
Flip Aquatics is a top place to go if you need more niche products, alongside a healthy supply of beginner materials. Do you have picky shrimp or want rare moss? Flip Aquatics has both. Everything has a live guarantee, comes pesticide-free and is invertebrate-safe. It also stocks numerous bundles if you prefer not to worry about selecting individual plants. Flip Aquatics offers a wealth of helpful tips and techniques for designing aquariums with its products, ensuring you will never run out of ideas.
Why I Choose Live Plants Over Plastic
Early in my aquarium journey, I had a handful of plastic plants. I thought they would work because they are resilient — they couldn’t die like real plants. However, I came to learn how harmful this was and why live plants are better for fish. Plastic is abrasive and has less character. Live plants are more aesthetically pleasing and provide a safer environment.
Many aquarium plants have filtration properties that help keep tanks clean. They can absorb everything from nitrates to ammonia, which makes fish more comfortable. Simultaneously, they produce tons of oxygen to help your pets have healthy respiratory systems.
Finally, live plants more accurately resemble natural habitats. The plants supply the nutrients fish need while controlling harmful influences, such as algae overgrowth. This helps them maintain healthy eating, reproductive and socialization behaviors.
Recommendations for Live Aquarium Plants
Here are some of the live rooting and floating plant species I started with in my aquarium. I chose them because they support my fish and help the ecosystem — maybe this list will help with your decision fatigue when adding things to your cart:
- Anubias: Hardy, low-maintenance plants that are great for small fish to reproduce.
- Java moss: Fast-growing and provides soft surfaces and tons of cover for fish that like to hide.
- Water wisteria: Visually fascinating while providing tons of benefits for the aquarium’s nutrient density.
- Amazon sword: Great for pictures because of its lush appearance.
- Cryptocoryne: Colorful, nest-like plants that work well in tons of lighting conditions.
The Best Places to Buy Aquatic Plants
These are the places with quality live aquarium plants that I trust most. Choosing natural decoration will improve the lives of your fish dramatically, helping them feel more comfortable and at home, even though they are far away from a lake or sea. Dabble with each of these retailers to see which one you like the best, as all of them have something valuable and unique to offer.
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