How to Plant Aquarium Plants: Creating a Healthy Underwater Garden

Overview

Live aquarium plants enhance any tank—adding interest, improving water quality by absorbing CO₂ and fish waste. Provide 8-10 hours of light daily after planting.

Setup and Planting Steps

Step 1: Clean Everything

Rinse tank 5x with lukewarm salt water (1 tbsp salt/gallon). Scrub with nylon sponge. Rinse gravel in shallow pan—swish, pour off debris-laden water.

Step 2: Hardscape

Place decorative rocks (usually rear). Add 2 inches gravel, 6-8 inches water.

Step 3: Plant Placement

Tall, dense plants (cabomba) in rear corners. Short plants (dwarf Cryptocoryne) in front/sides. Keep front clear for fish viewing.

Step 4: Root Positioning

Dig holes for roots to point down/outward—not bending upward. Crown (plant-root junction) just above gravel, not buried.

Step 5: Bunch Plants

Cut bottom inch of bundled stems. Strip first inch of leaves. Unbundle. Bury stripped portion individually but close together.