10 Easy Coldwater Aquarium Plants

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Mari

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Coldwater Aquarium Plants

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Let’s be honest: tropical fish tanks can be a hassle. Sometimes, a busy life gets in the way of the maintenance they require, and that leads to a crumbling ecosystem and, unfortunately, dead fish. But a nice, lush aquarium can be a beautiful addition to your home. What to do…

Well, you could always consider keeping a coldwater aquarium instead.

Coldwater fish are just as beautiful as tropical fish, and they’re generally easier to care for than their sensitive warm-water cousins. But what about plants? Can you keep aquatic plants in a coldwater setup? And what is the benefit of including them in your fish tank?

The short answer is, yes, you can put plants in a coldwater aquarium, and in this guide, we’ll go over ten of the best ones for it.

But First: What Is A Coldwater Aquarium?

A coldwater aquarium is exactly what it sounds like: an aquarium with cold water. But “cold” in this case means basically kept at room temperature without the need for a heater.

Most coldwater fish tanks contain species that don’t need warm water to survive, such as goldfish, some minnow varieties, and Koi. The ideal water temperature in a coldwater tank is generally between 58° and 65°F.

The 10 Best Plants For Coldwater Aquariums

So, now that we know what the deal is with coldwater tanks, here are our ten favorite coldwater aquarium plants:

Marimo Moss Balls 

Marimo Moss Balls
  • Scientific Name: Aegagropila linnaei
  • Ease of Care Level: Easy
  • Light Level: Medium

Marimo Moss Balls aren’t technically plants at all, but a species of algae. 

In its natural habitat, Marimo Moss grows in cold lakes in Japan, Iceland, and other places around the world. The algae get their spherical shape from the movement of water across the substrate.

These quirky “plants” make an interesting addition to your fish tank and require little to no maintenance since they are extremely slow-growing. Occasionally, you might need to roll the algae up again if it loses shape, but beyond that, algae growth requires little care.

You can buy Marimo balls online here.

Java Moss 

Java Moss
  • Scientific Name: Taxiphyllum barbieri or Vescicularia dubyana
  • Ease of Care Level: Easy
  • Light Level: Medium

Java moss is one of the most popular aquarium plants in the hobby, largely because it is so easy to grow. 

This attractive plant can be kept in temperatures anywhere between 59° and 86°F and is especially appreciated by the smaller fish and dwarf shrimp that use it for cover. Plus, as food particles often get stuck in the moss, this type of plant makes for an excellent foraging ground for shrimp.

Java moss doesn’t need any extra CO2, fertilizer, or special light conditions. You can grow the plant free-floating or tied to driftwood, rock, or shrimp caves. Maintenance amounts to just a simple trim once in a while to prevent the middle parts from browning.

You can buy Java moss online by following this link. For more information on growing aquarium moss, read our guide here.

Cabomba 

Cabomba
  • Scientific Name: Cacomba caroliniana
  • Ease of Care Level: Easy
  • Light Level: Medium

Cabomba is a fast-growing subtropical plant suited to a wide range of habitats, including coldwater tanks.

These background aquarium plants grow upwards in straight branches. Cabomba is so successful and has such a high growth rate that many countries actually consider it an invasive species. When provided with enough light and a temperature of at least around 64°F, Cabomba will rapidly cover the background of your aquarium.

If you prefer, you can leave the plant free-floating. As an added benefit, Cabomba can also be a handy occasional addition to the diet of any fancy goldfish you keep. And if you’re looking to add a touch of color to your setup, some varieties of Cabomba are red. 

You can buy Cabomba online here.

Water Cabbage 

Water Cabbage
  • Scientific Name: Samolus parviflorus/valerandi
  • Ease of Care Level: Easy
  • Light Level: Medium

Water Cabbage is a small foreground plant naturally occurring in marshes, but it also grows submerged. The plant’s name is derived from its small rosette-shaped form that closely resembles cabbage or lettuce.

Although Water Cabbage is an extremely slow grower, it’s a great addition to unheated setups because it does well in tank water temperatures as low as 59°F. Water Cabbage is a great choice for shrimp tanks — I keep mine in a small tank with cherry shrimp and dwarf crayfish.

Just be sure to provide your Water Cabbage with adequate lighting, or it may start growing upwards and lose its cabbage-like shape.

Brazilian Pennywort 

Brazilian Pennywort 
  • Scientific Name: Hydrocotyle leucocephala
  • Ease of Care Level: Easy
  • Light Level: Medium

Brazilian Pennywort is a fast-growing, hardy plant, and an ideal plant choice for low-tech unheated aquarium setups. 

The Brazilian Pennywort is a forgiving beginner plant that will grow very quickly in a range of conditions with no extra lighting or CO2 requirements. You can plant Brazilian Pennywort in the substrate, but many fishkeepers report that the plant grows even more vigorously when the roots are left free-floating.

Like Java moss, Brazilian Pennywort can grow quite densely, which makes it a great cover for young fry and shrimp. Although it’s not suitable for true coldwater aquariums, the plant should do very well in an environment that’s at least 64°F, making it a good fit for most unheated or temperate tanks. 

We have a full care sheet for the Brazilian Pennywort for you to read, and you can buy this beautiful plant online here.

Java Fern 

Java Fern
  • Scientific Name: Microsorum pteropus
  • Ease of Care Level: Easy
  • Light Level: Medium

Although it can have a slow growth rate, Java Fern is one of the least demanding aquarium plant picks in the hobby and an ideal choice for unheated and low-tech setups. Java Fern doesn’t do well as a rooted plant, so as long as it’s not planted directly in aquarium substrate, but tied to driftwood or rock (check out this tutorial if you’re not sure how to do this), Java Fern is pretty much indestructible. 

These coldwater plants thrive in a variety of conditions, and even the most ravenous herbivores will leave Java Fern due to its hard, bitter leaves — even greedy goldfish won’t eat the unpalatable Java Fern!

The plant’s initial growth rate may be slow, but once it takes off, it grows into a beautiful green fan in no time. Keep an eye out for small, free-floating bits of Java fern; these can be replanted and turned into a new cover plant.

For more information about Java fern, check out the full Java fern care sheet. And see here to buy Java fern online.

Salvinia Natans 

Salvinia Natans 
  • Scientific Name: Salvinia Natans
  • Ease of Care Level: Easy
  • Light Level: Moderate to high

Salvinia natans is a species of aquatic fern that looks a little like moss. The plant can be found in a wide range of locales including central Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. The plant grows in standing water and needs humidity and sunlight to grow well.

The plant doesn’t need fertilizers and thrives in temperatures as low as 54°F with a pH range between 6.0 and 8.0. The plant grows free-floating on the water’s surface, so it requires strong lighting in order to thrive. 

Still, it is a fairly low-maintenance plant, only requiring you to trim them regularly to remove overgrowth.

Amazon Sword 

Amazon Sword
  • Scientific Name: Echinodorus bleheri
  • Ease of Care Level: Easy
  • Light Level: Medium

The Amazon Sword is one of the most popular plants among hobbyists. 

It’s easy to grow, doesn’t need bright lighting, and will grow in a range of water temperatures between 60° and 82°F with an ideal pH range between 6.5 to 7.5. You don’t need necessarily need fertilizers to grow Amazon Sword, although it will grow more vigorously if you supplement it with iron-rich fertilizers.

Amazon Sword has broad leaves that make an ideal place for fish to shelter and rest.

 You can read our full care guide for growing Amazon Sword here.

Creeping Primrose Willow 

  • Scientific Name: Ludwigia repens
  • Ease of Care Level: Intermediate
  • Light Level: Moderate to high

Ludwigia repens, or Creeping Primrose Willow, is a beautiful, popular coloring plant that comes in deep red, brown, and green color morphs.

These plants do best under high or moderate lighting conditions and flourish at an ideal temperature between 60° and 86°F. Ludwigia repens thrive in any tank water conditions from very soft to very hard, with a broad pH range of 5.0 to 8.0, making this a versatile plant that can grow well in a coldwater tank.

You don’t need a nutrient-rich substrate or extra supplements, either in ideal conditions. However, if the leaves turn red, you’ll need to feed Creeping Primrose Willow with an additional supplement and CO2 fertilizers.

Anacharis 

Anacharis
  • Scientific Name: Elodea densa
  • Ease of Care Level: Easy
  • Light Level: Moderate

Anacharis is a tall stem plant also known as Brazilian Water Weed or Elodea densa.

Some hobbyists use this attractive aquarium plant as supplementary food for cichlids, goldfish, and other types of fish, but most love it simply for its beauty and low difficulty.

The plant is one of the taller plants on our list, sometimes growing up to 6 feet! Long stems with small green leaves cover the entire plant, making Anacharis perfect background plants.

Anacharis roots in the substrate or grows as a free-floating plant in a wide range of water parameters. The plant prefers water with a pH between 5.0 and 7.5, and it can tolerate a range of temperature from 50° to 82°F. Moderate lighting is best for this beginner-friendly plant.

How Cold Is Too Cold For An Aquatic Plant?

The ideal temperature tolerance range for any aquatic plant varies entirely based on the species. However, as a general rule of thumb, most freshwater aquarium plants can’t tolerate colder tanks with a water temperature below 50° F.

Why Should You Put Plants In A Coldwater Aquarium?

There are lots of advantages & benefits to keeping plants in a cold water fish tank, including:

  • Plants can improve water quality and create clean environments, keeping algae at bay by absorbing nitrates and other nutrients produced by decaying organic waste from the water.
  • Plants help to oxygenate the water by producing oxygen and absorbing CO2 as part of the process of photosynthesis. Basically, the plants provide the fish with oxygen and the fish breathe out CO2, which the plants then use to create more breathable oxygen.
  • Dense planting can provide a safe, calm environment for shy fish species. This reduces stress in the tank and enhances your fish’s colors and overall health.
  • Plants encourage fish to spawn and provide security for growing fish fry, making them perfect for a breeding tank.
  • Living plants undoubtedly add natural beauty and a relaxing ambiance to any aquascape. 

There are plenty of other good reasons to add plants to your cold water fish tank, but these were a few of the biggest benefits.

What Kind Of Creatures Can Live In A Cold Water Aquarium? 

The most common fish species associated with life in a cold water tank is the good ol’ goldfish. In fact, goldfish are descended from a species of wild carp, and they can live outside in ponds year-round without harm.

Although round-bodied goldfish prefer warmer waters, they can survive quite well in a tank at room temperature and ponds in warm climates.

Other temperate fish species that do well in a coldwater setup include Rosy Barbs and White Cloud Minnows. Snails generally aren’t sensitive to water temperature either and can live in a coldwater tank. There are also some shrimp species that will be fine in a tank without a heater.

In Conclusion

Living plants help to create an ideal environment in any fish tank, providing oxygen for your fish and purifying the water using nitrates and other chemicals as nutrients. Plants also provide valuable shelter for shy fish, baby shrimp, and fish fry, as well as enhance the aesthetic of your freshwater tank.

Even if you don’t have a heater in your fish tank, you can enjoy the many benefits of living plants. The wide variety of plants we’ve suggested in this guide can all be kept in a cold water tank.

What plants did you choose for your coldwater aquarium?

Tell us in the comments box below!

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6 thoughts on “10 Easy Coldwater Aquarium Plants”

    • Hi Nafees! There aren’t too many benefits to using soil unless you’re going for a Walstad method tank. We recommend sand or gravel. But if you insist on going with soil, then any organic soil will work. Some aquarium brands also make freshwater soil, though this can be more expensive.

      Reply
  1. Would these plants be compatible with an Axolotl (no fish)? I’m new to the hobby and looking at setting up a low tech, low light, cold temperature tank.

    Reply
    • Hi Melody,

      For an Axolotl tank, I would consider Java Fern and species of Anubias to be your best bets. Even though they’re not specifically coldwater species, they are very hardy so they will do fine with lower temperatures and low lighting!

      Happy Axolotl-keeping!

      Reply
  2. I have vallisneria in my Goldfish tank. Most varieties can grow as low as 15 degrees C. It doesn’t require CO2 and it can grow in medium to low lighting (will grow slowly in low light) but requires a nutritious substrate to thrive.

    When I planted mine I didn’t use any special substrate but my goldfish’s gravel is full of mulm and poop and the vals are spreading – sending out runners with mini baby vals on them to colonise the tank. If you have a nice build up of mulm and don’t want to set up a proper planted substrate try these plants!

    Reply
    • I didn’t know vals did well in such low temperatures, thanks for the tip! That’s definitely also one to try for unheated tanks then.

      Reply

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