There are many different varieties of plants out there for your aquarium. It would be a waste of money to buy one and have it die from a small mistake like lighting, right? That's why I decided to make this, to help you all decide one the right plants.
But first, light is the huge issue. There are three catagories: High/Strong Light, Moderate Light and Low Light.
Here is a list of plants catagorized by light amount. Next to the plants common name will most likely be a latin name, and then either Background Plant, Midground Plant, Forground Plant and Ornamental (meaning the plant likes to attach to things like rocks or wood) Any plant under two or 3 catagories means it can survive in both or all light conditions.
There also are other problem plants circulating everywhere. These plants are not true aquatic plants. Below is a list of plants often sold as aquarium plants that truely are meant to be potted and housed next to your window.
White Arrowhead (White Butterfly) Red Arrowhead (Regina Red) Cherry Hedge Green Hedge Mondo Grass Red Edge
Plants can easily contribute in helpful and somewhat unhelpful way. They help oxygenate the tank for one, so your fish get more air. Secondly, they help fight off algae! Wonderful, eh? They combat the algae by fighting for the water's nutrients, sometimes the algae wins, but not always. Of course if you have a lot of nutrients and not enough plants to consume them, algae is bound to grow. Some fertilizers are known for this.
Here are some unhelpful ways plants contribute. Money...Money, money, money! All plants cost money AND some need special things which can be expensive like certain water quality and lighting. Too many plants can over oxygenate your tank and cause gas bubble disease, but plants rarely cause that Their roots can also get in the way while you siphon out the gravel, and the delicate roots could get damaged meaning not so good news for your plant.
Fertilizers and nutrients are another problem. Many of them contain high levels of phosphate and iron. Without enough plants to consume the recommended dosage for you amount of water algae will grow, be sure of that.
