Gravel is one of the most common substrates for aquarium plants. It is good for root plants and helps them stay at their place with proper anchorage. Another benefit is that gravel helps maintain the water parameters, thus making it the foremost choice as an aquarium substrate. Being a host of beneficial bacteria, they maintain the biological balance in the tank, which is good for the aquarium’s ecosystem.
Gravel is a great pick not only when you want to add aquatic plants to your tank but also when you want to give it a more natural look. Usually, people use gravel to top it over some other easier substrate and finish off the look of their aquarium, giving it a more natural look. The best part is gravel is of varying types, helping you easily find something matching the style and aesthetics of your tank.
Some benefits of gravel substrate are as follows-
- Offer proper anchorage to the root plants
- Looks more natural
- Create a balanced and undisturbed biological system
- Construct a better home for the plants
While some aquatic plants can grow without substrates, many need something solid like gravel to hold them down. Since gravel has a certain kind of smoothness, it keeps the plants firm and properly supported. At the same time, gravel is great for plants that are root feeders. It is one of those substrates that ensures the rooting plants get their nutrition and grow healthily. Gravel doesn’t have nutrients like aquarium soil, but the roots of the plants get proper anchorage, ensuring they grab the nutrition easily from the root tabs.
However, one downside of gravel is its cleaning, which is a daunting task. However, it can also be done when you know the right techniques and have the right equipment. This article will provide you with details about the following-
- How to choose the right gravel
- How to grow plants in gravel
- How to ensure that the plants are getting enough nutrients when they are grown in gravel
- The 10 best aquarium plants for gravel.
Keep reading!
How do you choose the right gravel?
There are different types of gravel substrates that you may find in the aquarium shop. Do not pick any for your tank without proper knowledge and research. Local stores may have gravel that is too large for the fish tank and does not offer the right support for root anchors. And, you need a product that keeps the root down and is safe for fish as well.
It is when understanding what type of gravel is the right fit for the aquarium is important. Below are some of the tips that you should keep in mind while choosing the gravel-
- Aquarium-safe– It should be labeled ‘aquarium-safe’ and preferably ‘freshwater or seawater’ appropriate.
- Physiology– Shape and texture should be consistent.
- Size– Gravel comes in two different sizes-
- Fine gravel (1-2 mm)- suitable for bottom-dwelling fish
- Coarse gravel (5-8 mm)- not ideal for small fish and delicate plants but easy to clean
- No sharp ends– To prevent injury to fish and other living creatures in the water.
Gravel also comes in different colors. You can either go for natural gravel to give a realistic look to the tank or pick colored gravel to bring playfulness. However, colored ones fade over time and may also stress the timid fish species.
Therefore, choosing natural gravel is the best choice. However, choosing the tone of the gravel is a personal choice that should fit the theme of the tank. Usually, earthy tones look great.
Growing plants in gravel
There are a few things that you need to keep in mind while planting in gravel. First of all, you need to consider the size of your tank. A big tank would require more gravel compared to smaller ones. Secondly, what type of plants you are planning to grow also decide the amount of gravel you may need to purchase.
If you are not going to grow any plant, only an inch of gravel will give a natural and earthy look to the tank. However, if you are planning to add plants, three inches of gravel is the thumb rule.
Here, it is important to mention that every plant has different needs, and a little research beforehand is necessary. Some plants need to be rooted more deeply than others. For such plants, you would require more gravel so that the roots get enough encouragement and space to root deeply.
Aquarium gravels also tend to become dirty due to fish and plant waste. Therefore, maintaining a proper cleaning routine is also a necessity to ensure plants stay healthy.
Also, rinsing gravel before you place it in the tank is also crucial. Even though pre-washed gravel mixtures are also available in the market, packaging may add some dust to it. It will bring cloudiness to the tank’s water. Therefore, make sure you lightly rinse the gravel with warm water until the water runs clear.
Now that your thoroughly washed gravel is ready, you can place it at the bottom of the tank and add the plants.
Feeding aquarium plants in gravel
As we know, the gravel doesn’t contain any nutrients, especially when it comes straight out of the bag. You may need to add some form of plant fertilizers to the tank. It can be either liquid fertilizer or root tabs that will suffice plants’ demands.
Liquid fertilizers can be added once a week to ensure that plants get the nutrients straight out of the water. Even though the fish excreta also add to the plants’ fertilizers, it is not sufficient.
Root tabs are also a great option and easy to use. They are simple tablets that you need to put down in the gravel near the plants’ roots. However, root tabs are needed mostly for the aquarium plants that are heavy feeders. For instance, one of the common aquarium plants, Amazon Sword, is a root feeder, and you may need to add a new root tab regularly for it to grow healthily.
10 best aquarium plants to grow in gravel
Now, let’s take a look at some of the best aquarium plants to grow in gravel.
- Amazon Sword
Scientifically called Echinodorus grisebachii, Amazon Sword is a 35-40 cm long aquatic plant that you can grow in the background. It is easy to care for and grows profusely under the right water parameters. With moderate growth habits, Amazon Sword requires medium to high lighting and root tabs for flourishing.
The best part is that it is a beginner-friendly plant and can survive in a wide range of temperatures. The sword-like leaves create a lush green aquascape, making it suitable as a centerpiece, too. However, you need to put enough gravel as the substrate to ensure that the plant stays rooted. Loosely packed gravel around 2.5 to 3 inches will be the best.
If you are adding more than one plant of Amazon sword, give space as they grow big. Also, do not forget to add root tabs regularly, once every three months.
- Madagascar Lace
The scientific name of Madagascar Lace is Aponogeton madagascariensis. This plant reaches a maximum of 20 cm and is relatively easy to care for. While the growth rate of the plant is slow, the lighting needs are also low to moderate. Also, it doesn’t require additional carbon dioxide.
Owing to the height, keeping Madagascar Lace as a midground plant will be the best option. Regarding temperature, keeping it around 15 to 21 degrees Celsius will ensure good growth. Offering medium to high light conditions will again add to its growth. The better the light, the greater will be the growth.
It is important to know that this plant can also survive in low-light conditions. Thus, it makes it an easy-to-care plant for all aquarists– be they novices or experts. If you want to keep the plant height less and growth slow, offer low light only.
One thing that you should keep in mind is planting it properly in the gravel. Planting too deep in gravel will not help. Instead, only two inches of substrate is required for Madagascar Lace. You should also need to add fertilizers to keep it healthy and strong.
- Cryptocoryne wendtii
This is another easy-to-care aquatic plant that grows well in gravel. However, it can also grow in sand well. It gains a maximum of 15 cm height and can be kept as a foreground or midground plant in the aquarium. Lighting needs are low to moderate, and the growth rate is also slow. Additional carbon dioxide is also not necessary for growing Cryptocoryne wendtii.
The best part about Cryptocoryne is that you can find a variety of species of plants that are available in different colors, among which red looks extremely beautiful. Taking care of all the species is equally the same and easy. Being a string plant, Cryptocoryne wendtii thrives in a variety of water conditions, especially pH levels.
Another benefit that you will get from Cryptocoryne is maintaining the levels of ammonia and nitrates. It is an undemanding, beginner-friendly aquarium plant that grows well in gravel. The large and dense root system grabs the nutrients from the substrate and grows steadily.
All you need to ensure is that there is enough gravel for the roots to proliferate (three inches, at least). Adding root tabs for root feeders like Cryptocoryne is also recommended.
- Java Fern
Java Fern is one of the most common aquatic plants that people love to grow in aquariums. Scientifically called Microsorum Pteropus, this plant grows around 30 to 35 cm tall, making it a perfect midground or background plant. The care complexity is easy as the lighting needs are low, with no need for additional carbon dioxide.
The growth rate of Java Fern is also slow to moderate. It grows well in gravel, and the fertilizer requirement is also less. Only liquid fertilizers will do the needful. Java Fern fairly accommodates different environments and grows in a range of temperatures. In addition, fish also love such plants in their ecosystem.
If you love the lush green aquascape but don’t want to work with a lot of plants, just give it a try to Java Fern and see the magic unfold. This plant alone does wonders and makes your tank look stunningly green and vibrant. Even though it doesn’t grow fast, over time, it covers the entire tank. Also, the big leaves of the fern provide plenty of coverage for all types of pets.
All you need to remember is trimming or pruning the leaves after regular intervals and avoiding too much light. Also, while planting, do not put the plant too deep in the gravel. A little gravel with some liquid fertilizers is all the Java Fern needs to flourish.
- Red Tiger Lotus
Also popular as Dwarf Lily, the Red Tiger Lotus is a somewhat demanding plant but still easier to care for than many other aquatic species. The scientific name of Red Tiger Lotus is Nymphaea Zenkeri. It attains a maximum height of 50 cm when the water conditions are ideal and in its favor. So, you can have it as a midground or background plant in your aquarium.
The leaves of the plant have a reddish tinge; therefore, the name is Red Tiger Lotus. To ensure that the leaves attain this hue, you need to provide moderate to high light conditions. Additional carbon dioxide also helps Dwarf Lily to flourish, but it grows well without its supplementation as well. In addition, you should offer liquid fertilizers or root tabs without fail. The growth rate is moderate to fast.
Even though there are some demands, Red Tiger Lotus is not a very difficult plant. All you need is to fulfill its light and fertilizer requirements, and the plant is correct for the best results. Bury the roots properly in the gravel without covering the bulb, as it will prevent the growth to some extent.
Gravel with plenty of fertilizers helps Red Tiger Lotus to grab enough nutrients and make it healthy. One more thing that you need to remember is to trim the plant regularly, as it is a fast grower.
- Anubias
Scientifically called Anubias Barteri, it is a beautiful green aquarium plant that is available in multiple aquarium-friendly varieties. It is a hardy, easy to care, undemanding, and beginner-friendly aquatic plant that grows well in gravel. Make sure not to bury them too deep.
Most of the varieties of Anubias reach a maximum of 30 to 40 cm in height and thus can be grown as a midground or background plant. Being a large plant, it provides good shade for timid and shy fish to hide, spawn, and play. Also, it creates a stunning aquascape with its green leaves.
The growth rate of Anibias is relatively slow. Regarding its requirements, medium to low lighting (preferably low), no additional carbon dioxide supplementation, and a small amount of liquid fertilizers once in a while suffice.
Besides gravel, Anubias can also be grown by attaching to rocks and wood. It is mainly due to its tendency to suck nutrients from the water.
- Vallisneria
Vallisneria is another common aquarium plant that is loved by aquarists for its lush green leaves and undemanding nature. It is easy to care for, taking it to the section of beginner-friendly plants. The maximum height Vallisneria attains is between 20 and 40 cm, depending upon the variety and growing conditions. It makes it a perfect background aquarium plant.
The best part is it is an easy-to-care, fast-growing plant that grows well in gravel. Thus, you’ll be able to see it flourishing within no time in your tank and creating a stunning green aquascape. Usually, Vallisneria is found in tropical conditions; therefore, it prefers warm water climates.
Regarding requirements, Vallisneria thrives in moderate to high light conditions with no additional carbon dioxide. Putting root tabs in the gravel will give the plant a good nutrient supply for growth and development.
Since Vallisneria has long elongated leaves, planting it around the edges of the tank and forming a nice backdrop is a great idea. It can also be used for covering the blind spots or equipment placed in the tank, such as filters and heaters. Remember to trim the leaves after regular intervals to check their growth, or Vallisneria will overtake the tank in no time.
- Bucephalandra
This is a small aquarium plant whose height reaches not more than 10 cm, making it a suitable foreground plant. It is equally easy to care for and an undemanding aquatic plant. While Vallisneria required a thin layer of gravel as the roots didn’t grow deep, Bucephalandra required a little thicker one. Just put the plant on the top of the gravel, burying a little, without digging the rhizome in.
Porous gravel that allows the roots to penetrate easily will be the best for Bucephalandra. Supporting the plant with other things will keep it firm and stable until it establishes properly. You can find different varieties of Bucephalandra that are available in different colors. With proper maintenance, it can become the centerpiece of the tank and escalate the look.
This aquatic plant requires moderate to low light levels. If the light is too low, the growth will be slow. There is no need to supply additional carbon dioxide, but liquid fertilizers will help it thrive easily. Maintain temperature around 22 to 28 degrees Celsius.
- Waterweeds
Commonly known as Brazilian waterweed, this is a beautiful plant that can be added to the tank and planted in the gravel. It is a stem plant that keeps growing when water conditions are in its favor. Well-oxygenated, filtered water is a must to see waterweeds growing abundantly.
The best thing about waterweeds is they can survive in wide variations in temperature and pH. Thus, it becomes an easy, undemanding, and beginner-friendly aquarium plant. Warm water with medium to low light and liquid fertilizers suffice its fast-growing habit. However, if you want it to grow slowly, turn the water a little colder.
While additional carbon dioxide is not a necessity, adding it will only enhance the growth. All you need is to bury part of the stem (1-2 inches) in the gravel so that it anchors down. Gradually, it establishes and develops the root system. Since it sucks the nutrients from the water, there is no need to add root tabs.
If you are adding too many waterweeds in the tank, just keep one thing in mind–placing them at least an inch apart. It will allow them to grow fully.
- Dwarf Saggitaria
This is the last aquarium plant on our list that you can grow in gravel easily. It is scientifically called Sagittaria subulata or Sagittaria pusilla. As the common name indicates, it is a small plant that reaches a height of not more than 12 to 15 cm. Easy to grow and care for, Dwarf Saggitaria is suitable for beginner aquarists.
The lighting requirements of the plant are low to medium, with no need for additional carbon dioxide. It is a fast grower that can be placed either in the foreground or midground part of the tank. The roots suck nutrients; therefore, placing root tabs will help it get enough nutrients for development. Iron is especially required for Dwarf Saggitaria’s growth, in the absence of which the plant may wilt and die.
It is a hardy aquatic plant that prefers mild water temperatures and a little bit of care to bring out its true colors.
So, these are the 10 best aquarium plants that you can grow in gravel by placing in foreground, midground and background areas and create a stunning aquascape. Gravel will help your aquarium plants grow profusely as its finely coarse structure provides enough space for root system.
Please fill in the form get updates on new articles.
