Aquarium plants are a great addition to any tank for many reasons. The number one reason is that it provides a healthier environment for the aquariums inhabitants. Aquarium plants give your fish a natural food source, shelter, and most importantly help produce oxygen and absorb the carbon dioxide and ammonia that is generated from the fish. Ultimately, aquarium plants help complete a natural ecosystem within your tank allowing your fish to thrive and remain healthy.  With all of this in mind, you can imagine how important it is to keep your aquarium plants from dying. To keep your plants from dying, you must give them the same amount of care you give your fish meaning treat them like living things and not just a piece of greenery for your fish to nibble on and play with. 

First, keep in mind that as living things aquarium plants are subject to diseases, water changes, and stress the same way fish are.  Start by always making sure you choose the right plants for your aquarium. Don’t use a plant meant for salt water in a fresh water tank or use a plant that is not supposed to be fully submerged under water.  Stick to easy to care for plants such as sword plants or moneyworts. In order for your plants to fully thrive all of their needs must be met. To avoid the risk of your plant dying always make sure the pH level of the water environment is set to the right level. Most plants prefer a pH level of 7-7.2 although some plants may prefer an alkaline or acidic environment. If the leaves of your plants are beginning to turn yellow or starting to rot, check to make sure there’s enough iron in the tank.  A good tip for adding more iron to your tank is using an iron based fertilizer. A fertilizer is highly recommended for your aquarium plants and an iron-based one will only further enhance your plant growth.  Look for slow-release fertilizers to save time and effort. Never use a fertilizer that has phosphate in it as algae thrive on phosphates and can cause a big problem for your tank. Some algae may be good, but too much is a big no.  Another good tip for protecting your plants is providing a good substrate. Aquarium plants need at least 2-3 inches of substrate to grow and anchor their roots. Try using laterite with an inch of gravel to not only give your plants a solid foundation, but also provide your aquarium a more natural look that is beneficial to the root development of your plants.  The last tip to keep your aquarium plants from dying is giving them enough light. Similar to the plants in your garden, aquarium plants need at least 10-12 hours of light to flourish. Full-spectrum, fluorescent lighting is a must have when caring for aquarium plants. Without the light, the plants cannot go through photosynthesis to generate energy for growth and produce oxygen for your tank.  Lighting is often overlooked as many tank owners turn off the aquarium lights before bed or when they leave the house to save energy. Leave the light on and watch your plants grow and remain green.

Keep your aquarium plants from dying by meeting their needs. With a little extra care and enough light, your plants will last for a long time.