Semi-Aquatic Aquarium Plants

What would be some good semi-aquatic plants for an aqua-terrarium? I was thinking Java Moss, Anacharis, and a short grassy bottom plant for the water half of the tank. What would be some good plants that could grow emersed out of the water portion? I also have no knowledge of plants that could grow in the land half, which would be misty or damp substrate at best, so I am open to suggestions of plants for that part. I have had a hard time finding info on terrarium plants that you can get at most pet stores that can do well in such a low amount of water. I would be using fluorescent lights so lighting shouldn't be a big deal cause i'm looking for low-tech plants. I have yet to decide on adding any creatures for sure, with the exception of Ghost Shrimp. I have also yet to decide if it shall be brackish or not, but i'm not sure if that affects plant growth at all. I'm going for a low-tech misty swamp type of theme. Seen some really nice tanks like this on youtube, its a shame they're less common.

 

For the land portion of the tank I would consider a miniature orchid if I were you. One such orchid that would do well in high humidity and remains very small is Haraela odorata. It requires semi-shaded low light very moist conditions, remains small, is very fregrant and is in bloom for a large portion of the year. See links below. However if you do not like this one, you can look for other possible orchids by googling "miniature orchid high humidity" or something like that.

https://andysorchids.com/picturefra...4med.jpg&PicId=2094&PicNam=Haraella - odorata



For the semi-aquatic partially emersed plant, I wonder whether dwarf papyrus would be a good choice? Have you looked at it?

Note: I do not have personal experience with neither of these plants, although orchids used to be my big obsession before aquariums, but I had different conditions and thus grew different orchids than these. I never had a vivarium, however if I ever do, I think I would get at least one type of orchid in there.

PS: Which temperature are you planning to keep your vivarium at? This would matter if you choose an orchid, since for example the Haraela odorata orchid that I mentioned earlier likes it moist and warm, whereas another good choice for a vivarium orchid would be a Dracula Lotax orchid, but those like it moist an cool https://orchids.fandom.com/wiki/Dracula_lotax - both of these orchids like low light, shaded spot. If you wanted one that likes high light, I am sure you could find one too, since orchids are a very diverse genus of plants. However the secret to successful orchid keeping is to get the kind that will thrive in the environment that you can provide it.

PPS: You said you are having trouble finding terrarium plants that are available in pet stores. I would suggest looking elsewhere for plants. Online is a good place to buy, or if you have a large plant nursery near you, or some cities have specialty greenhouses. For orchids if you decide to get one, I would strongly suggest to look for a local orchid grower near you - many places have one - growers will not only have better selection, but also will have the knowledge to help you choose the right plant, and very often buying an orchid from a grower is not more expensive than retail and may actually be cheaper (without the markup from retail).

 

I have no idea about garden shops or private dealers around here, the only plants i've kept before were in aquariums and i'm fairly new to that still. I know Home Depot has a garder section but i'm not sure if they do terrarium plants. I'll have to check there and keep an eye out for locally owned garden shops.

My LFS has Mondo Grass, Ribbon Plant, and Peacock Ferns. I think those would like nice too on the dry side. I really like the look of the Peacock Ferns!

 

Dwarf papyrus is one of my favorites for this type of setup. There are also several houseplants that will enjoy being semi-immersed in water. Pothos (or "Devil'e Ivy depending on where you're located) would be one of them. If you look up "riparium tank" in google you'll see more about these types of plants. A riparium is the kind of aquarium where half filled with water, maybe a fish or two, and the rest are plants coming out of the water. Hope this helps.

 

FoulFishes, are you actually living in Italy (I did not know they have Home Depot in Italy) or are you relocated from Italy? If I knew which urban center you are closest to, I might be able to help you find some garden center or orchid grower - I enjoy online research, and I once helped someone on fishlore find good price aquarium sales in their country which they were unable to find, so if you are willing to share where you are, I could see whether I can find something (no promises of course)

 

"Paludarium" is another good Google search for you: they're "riverbank tanks" with a "land" area next to the water portion.

You might be able to find some good epiphytes that can be attached to branches or above-water backgrounds. Some, if not all, species of anubias can be grown emersed, as can HC (dwarf baby tears), if I'm not mistaken. I think I read somewhere that java fern can be grown emersed, and I know that water wisteria (hygrophila difformis) can as well. Some people have had luck getting java moss to grow above the water in EXTREMELY moist conditions.

Oh, and for good swamp conditions, don't forget floating plants like duckweed, frogbit, salvinia minima, or dwarf water lettuce... and you might look into carnivorous plants like pitcher plants or venus flytraps for the above-water areas.

 

FoulFishes, are you actually living in Italy (I did not know they have Home Depot in Italy) or are you relocated from Italy? If I knew which urban center you are closest to, I might be able to help you find some garden center or orchid grower - I enjoy online research, and I once helped someone on fishlore find good price aquarium sales in their country which they were unable to find, so if you are willing to share where you are, I could see whether I can find something (no promises of course)

Haha, no, I actually live in Kentucky. I am Italian though so I really liked having the little Italian flag next to my name. Kinda silly I guess, but yeah, i'm in America too

 

I'll have to look into the Dwarf Papyurs and small house plants as well then. I think i'm going more for a Paludarium than a Riparium, cause i'd really like to have a shore line and maybe waterfall with some river rocks (Suggestions on how to do that too, are most welcomed). I have some Water Wisteria slightly emersed in my aquarium, and i've read that Moneywort can grow that way too. I was definitely thinking Anubias itself and maybe Dwarf Hairgrass on the "river bottom". None of the plant shops here have floating plants, but some Frogbit, Duckweed, and Water Lettuce would also look awesome. I was considering doing Java Moss as a floating plant (looks like a swamp bog plant to me when floating. Never kept a Venus Flytrap before but that a good choice as well, do I have to feed them live insects? Thanks all, great suggestions!

 

I've seen Home Depot sell the full-size water lettuce, if you're doing a BIG tank. I'd actually like to do that someday (the plant is meant for a pond, but might do ok as a MAJOR element in a large tank). Probably the wrong time of year for it, though.

I've gotten my floating plants (most of my plants in general) from FishLore members. You might be able to find some "in the wild" as well... I have no idea what kind of wetlands or pond life you have in Kentucky, but you might find something.

 

Haha, no, I actually live in Kentucky. I am Italian though so I really liked having the little Italian flag next to my name. Kinda silly I guess, but yeah, i'm in America too

If you like the idea of an orchid plant, you could enquire with one of these growers listed on the Kentucky Orchid Society's website https://kyorchidsociety.com/resources/. If any of them grow orchids small enough to plant in a terrarium, that may be your best way to get one. Otherwise ordering online from any number of orchid sellers is a good option. Just like with buying fish though buying plants in person has the advantages that you can assess the look of the particular specimen you are getting and you don't need to pay shipping costs if buying locally. Best!

 

I understand what you mean, that's exactly how I am. I much prefer to get fish/plants locally than online so I can pick the exact one I want, or if its not up to standards I can leave it be. The LFS is about fed up with me caue I almost always ask them to let me catch my fish myself! haha
Unfortunately those growers are quite far away from where I live at, but I did decide to search my specific area and I found an all purpose flowers and garden shop and a tropical plant store. Maybe I'll be able to find some of the plants you recommended there.

 

I'm still researching, but I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations on semi-aquatic plants that are safe for fish and general aquarium use? Something that can stick out of the top of the tank. Maybe be planted on driftwood or maybe be added to a 3D background... I'm working on ideas for a show tank to give my mother before I move away, and I want to be a heavily jungle themed tank. We might build a shelf around it to put more tanks and LED lights on-- besides that, any recommendations to help my research would be appreciated.

 

Most aquatic plants can also be grown emersed, I can't think of any that can't. Even mosses can!

 

you could try some house plants
House Plants Log

 

Most aquatic plants can also be grown emersed, I can't think of any that can't. Even mosses can!

Vals, anacharis and hornwort are some that can't be grown emersed, but yeah, other than that most will be able to grow above water.

 

Vals, anacharis and hornwort are some that can't be grown emersed, but yeah, other than that most will be able to grow above water.

Ah yeah, can definitely see vals not working out. But my anacharis regularly breaches the water by a few inches, just 2-3 though.

 

Sorry to barge in, OP !

I just wanted to say that I learnt some new things in this thread. I didn’t know that most aquatic plants can grow outside the tank as well. This is definitely a help in my future tank setups. Thank you!

 

Ah yeah, can definitely see vals not working out. But my anacharis regularly breaches the water by a few inches, just 2-3 though.

Sorry to barge in but do you think that carpet plants like DHG and dwarf baby tears would be able to too?

 

I'm still researching, but I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations on semi-aquatic plants that are safe for fish and general aquarium use? Something that can stick out of the top of the tank. Maybe be planted on driftwood or maybe be added to a 3D background... I'm working on ideas for a show tank to give my mother before I move away, and I want to be a heavily jungle themed tank. We might build a shelf around it to put more tanks and LED lights on-- besides that, any recommendations to help my research would be appreciated.

by semi-aquatic plants d you mean things like yams, pothos, peace Lilly, and bamboo? like things you stick outta your tank and submerge only half of?

 

Ah yeah, can definitely see vals not working out. But my anacharis regularly breaches the water by a few inches, just 2-3 though.

You're right; they won't, but Cyperus helferI will. It looks very similar to vals.

 

Sorry to barge in but do you think that carpet plants like DHG and dwarf baby tears would be able to too?

Interesting question! I have a similar query but for plants such as dwarf sag, hydrocotyle
japan, and a few others.

I hope I am not steering this thread into completely unrelated direction .

 

All of those plants mentioned can be grown emersed. Except the ones I mentioned(plus a few others). Look up emersed aquarium plant set ups on youtube.

 

Interesting question! I have a similar query but for plants such as dwarf sag, hydrocotyle
japan, and a few others.

I hope I am not steering this thread into completely unrelated direction .

Dwarg sag won't grow emersed. Mine bends over underneath the surface when it gets too long. Hydrocotyle Japan I'm pretty sure will.

 

This is indeed an interesting thread. I am definitely learning new things here although I barged in . The idea of growing aquatic plants in an emersed fashion did not even cross my mind before. This gives an entirely new possibility from an aquascaping perspective - at least to me. Thanks for the responses so far .

Keep discussing !

 

I grow many emersed with a lot of dif roots etc going into tank and some above.

 

a lot of the plants that we keep in the aquarium are very happy growing emersed. they like it as they have direct access to CO2.
pennywort does very well emersed and will flower. dwarf hairgrass does too, loves it. it's actually not natural for them to be underwater all the time.

 

by semi-aquatic plants d you mean things like yams, pothos, peace Lilly, and bamboo? like things you stick outta your tank and submerge only half of?

Yeah, but something besides those since I already have enough of that stuff. I'm wanting a jungle look with various plants. I love the ideas people have shared but no one has various suggested specific plant names

 

I recently got some moneywort aka bacopa aka water hyssop from a local fishing pond. it seems to be a really easy plant that can be planted or floated.

 

Yeah, but something besides those since I already have enough of that stuff. I'm wanting a jungle look with various plants. I love the ideas people have shared but no one has various suggested specific plant names

The list can go on and on I suggest you can go to any garden centre and ask for bog plants or search bog plants. I would not stay focused on aquarium plants to have emersed if you open your world to marginal plants the list is endless and you mom might like something like I have. I also have a bog filtered pond in my yard and I have added so many plants that you think would not work do. If you keep the top of their rhizome or bases out of water they seem fine and all feed on fish waste only. Many of the marginal or bog plants work well in fish tanks given light needs. Cala lillies, king tut, iris, creeping jenny, giant bay tears, any rushes like pickeral or whatever and I like elephant ears or African mask as well. I find if it has pointed leaves it will grow on the top edge of your aquarium also any palms etc. Again just search bog or water garden plants will be fine. Or check dart frog and riparium / paludarium as I showed in my picture and will work in that environment. You saying mine isn't tropical looking ? If I had more room I'd have more plants but it's over 6 feet tall now lol.

 

The list can go on and on I suggest you can go to any garden centre and ask for bog plants or search bog plants. I have a bog filtered pond and I have added so many plants that you think would not work do. If you keep the top of their rhizome or bases out of water they seem fine and all feed on fish waste period. Many of the marginal or bog plants work well in fish tanks given light needs. Cala lillies, king tut, iris, creeping jenny, giant bay tears, any rushes like pickeral or whatever and I like elephant ears as well. I find if it has pointed leaves it will grow on the top edge of your aquarium also any palms etc. Again just search bog or water garden plants to fine.

Lol you would do so well on youtube with making fish/garden/pond vids
such pretty work

good luck with your plant search op!! I used a sweet potato in my tank and the leaves on it are starting to look really great and big

 

Lol you would do so well on youtube with making fish/garden/pond vids
such pretty work

good luck with your plant search op!! I used a sweet potato in my tank and the leaves on it are starting to look really great and big

Well thanks and I do have a youtube channel of my pond and tank but I don't like to show it as I feel awkward. Not sure if posting links is ok I hope so as this site has tons of bog plants as an example. I forgot about taro and you can buy that in your food store.