Are There Any Plants That Will Readily Grow In A Sand Substrate?

I want to get some plants for my tank, but it has a sand substrate. Are there any plants that will do OK in a pure sand substrate? I really do not want to do root tabs or anything like that, just stick them in the sand and be done.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

If you're planting root-feeding plants in sand, you really do need root tabs, because water can't circulate through the sand the same way it does in gravel, so nutrients in the water can't get to the roots at all.

That said, anything that draws nutrients from the water column (as opposed to primarily from the roots in the substrate) should do well. Water sprite and Limnophila sessiliflora are two examples that I keep that fit that bill. But they do a lot better with root tabs.
Your other options are floating plans, semi-floating plants (things that can be planted, but do equally well floating around), and rhizome plants.
Semi-floating plants would be things like hornwort and anacharis.
Rhizome plants include anubias and java ferns.

May I add 2c of opinion?... The thing about live plants is that there is a really big difference between thriving, and barely getting by. And most of the time 'barely getting by' is much closer to dying than it is to living. We put plants in our tanks because they look nice, and do a job (clean the water). If they're not growing really well, they're not doing that job.
Why do you want live plants?
And may I ask, why try to avoid tabs?

 

Thanks bitseriously! 2c are always appreciated! Want plants both because of their look, and because they help filter the nitrates a bit. I'm A-OK using root tabs if needed, was just thinking there might be some plants that don't really need them. But not problem if they help.

I do not want floating plants - have some in another tank, do not want to use them again. Really looking for something I can plant. Out of the plants you listed, are any of them very sturdy in the sense that they are not likely to break apart? I got hornwort one time and it was a disaster, it came apart into a million different pieces over time and I had to pick them all out one by one.

Much appreciated!

P.S. - how does one do root tabs? Just push one under the sand right next to the planted plant, and repeat ever few months? Or is it more difficult than that?

Thanks!

 

All our aquariums are planted in sand. I use the Seachem line. The root tabs are good for three months. You just push them into the sand next to or under the plant.

 

Thanks bitseriously! 2c are always appreciated! Want plants both because of their look, and because they help filter the nitrates a bit. I'm A-OK using root tabs if needed, was just thinking there might be some plants that don't really need them. But not problem if they help.

I do not want floating plants - have some in another tank, do not want to use them again. Really looking for something I can plant. Out of the plants you listed, are any of them very sturdy in the sense that they are not likely to break apart? I got hornwort one time and it was a disaster, it came apart into a million different pieces over time and I had to pick them all out one by one.

Much appreciated!

P.S. - how does one do root tabs? Just push one under the sand right next to the planted plant, and repeat ever few months? Or is it more difficult than that?

Thanks!

yep, just push one under sand close to each plant about once per month. super easy as that is what I have going on and everything is living and growing. probably can even do every other month depending on how things are growing or not

 

Can't remember where I saw it but are root tabs still effective in sand? Sand, being inert, I thought wouldn't carry the nutrients especially with the lack of water flow. I may have been skipping a very helpful addition to my newly rescaped tank..

 

Can't remember where I saw it but are root tabs still effective in sand? Sand, being inert, I thought wouldn't carry the nutrients especially with the lack of water flow. I may have been skipping a very helpful addition to my newly rescaped tank..

In short, yes.

1.



2.



3.



4.



5.



6.



7.

 

In short, yes.

1.
View attachment 535376

2.
View attachment 535377

3.
View attachment 535378

4.
View attachment 535379

5.
View attachment 535382

6.


7.
View attachment 535384

8.
View attachment 535385

I'll take that yes with the pics as in it is still effective haha. Good thing this tank has only been rolling for a little under a week.. I will add some this weekend!

 

I'll take that yes with the pics as in it is still effective haha. Good thing this tank has only been rolling for a little under a week.. I will add some this weekend!

I use the Seachem line.

 

I use the Seachem line.

That's exactly what I have! Could stand to do them in all my tanks really.. Homeslice in addition to those pics above me, this is my 10 gallon with sand that actually grew a carpet.

 

HI Homeslice! Just came across this thread. I was also wondering about plants in sand. I have seen the Seachem black sand, but am interested in light sand. Thunder_o_b curious what is the light sand you have in the last ? Looking for a slightly more coarse than fine light sand, plants, kuhlis, AFD. Wanted to plant Vallisneria? And a Buce....?

 

HI Homeslice! Just came across this thread. I was also wondering about plants in sand. I have seen the Seachem black sand, but am interested in light sand. Thunder_o_b curious what is the light sand you have in the last ? Looking for a slightly more coarse than fine light sand, plants, kuhlis, AFD. Wanted to plant Vallisneria? And a Buce....?

That is Pool Filter Sand from ACE Hardware.

 

Nice.