Create a harmonious environment for your aquatic pets by discovering what house plants are safe for betta fish. In this post, we reveal the best indoor plants that can coexist with your betta fish without posing any harm.
If you’re interested in learning which indoor plants can be placed outside in the shade, our expert advice on can indoor plants be outside in the shade will provide valuable information.
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Repotting indoor plants is necessary to provide them with sufficient space and nutrients for healthy growth. |
| Signs that a plant needs repotting include roots growing out of the drainage holes, soil drying out too quickly, or the plant becoming too top-heavy. |
| It is important to use a well-draining soil mix specifically designed for indoor plants when repotting. |
| The frequency of repotting depends on the type of plant and its growth rate, but a general rule of thumb is to repot every 1-2 years. |
| Proper plant care, including appropriate watering, lighting, and fertilization, can help reduce the need for frequent repotting. |
For those dealing with pesky gnats, our post on how to keep gnats off houseplants offers helpful tips. Dive in and learn how to create a beautiful, safe, and thriving environment for both your plants and betta fish.
Java FERN
Java Fern is a very popular plant for the aquarium and terrarium. It is easy to grow, but will not tolerate stagnant water or low lighting conditions. It does best in a well-aerated tank with strong lighting.
Anubias Nana
Anubias is a very hardy plant that can grow in almost any environment. It can survive in low light and in high humidity, which makes it ideal for betta fish tanks. This is a slow growing plant, so it will not outgrow the fish tank.
Anubias is also known as Bamboo Fern or Indian Fern because of the long, narrow leaves that resemble bamboo shoots or reeds.
Anubias likes to have its roots submerged under water but not completely buried so make sure you have enough soil at the bottom of your tank for this purpose (about 2 inches).
“If you’re struggling to save your indoor plants, don’t give up just yet! Our expert tips on how to save indoor plants can help you nurse them back to health and prevent the need for frequent repotting.”
Christmas Moss
It’s hard to go wrong with Christmas moss. This is a fast-growing plant that can be kept long and narrow, or trimmed into smaller pieces.
It has a delicate green color, and it makes for a good decorative piece in the aquarium. The only downside is that it needs to be trimmed periodically—but that’s true of any plant!
Christmas moss is quite safe for betta fish, but you may want to keep an eye on its growth rate when you have one in your tank. If you notice your betta taking bites out of the Christmas moss every now and then (they’re omnivores!), trim it back so he doesn’t get tangled in its leaves and risk injuring himself trying to free himself from them.
Swords
Swords are a very popular beginner’s plant. They’re easy to care for, grow quickly and have a nice shape. The sword can be placed in the middle of the tank or it can also be placed in the back where there is more light.
Wisteria
Wisteria is a climbing vine that grows well in shade. It’s a good choice for hanging baskets and containers, as well as growing up arbors or trellises.
Wisteria produces clusters of fragrant, lavender flowers in May. Wisteria is toxic to fish if ingested so it should not be kept in the same tank as your betta fish!
“Fertilizing your potted plants is key to keeping them healthy and reducing the need for repotting. Check out our guide on how often to fertilize potted plants for tips on proper plant nutrition.”
Java Moss
Java Moss is a species of moss that is native to the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. The plant looks like it has leaves, but it actually isn’t a true vascular plant.
It is actually a bryophyte, which means it reproduces by spores instead of seeds. Java Moss is also known as Java Fern, but again this name can be misleading since they aren’t related to true ferns at all!
Java Moss makes an attractive aquarium plant due to its lush green color and rounded shape when fully grown, but there are some things you should know before keeping this plant around your betta fish tank:
The easiest way to propagate it is by dividing the clumps every few months or so into smaller pieces (about 1/4″ each).
You can also grow new ones from spores if needed! This will help prevent unsightly algae growth on top of your aquarium because there’s less light getting through without those big leaves blocking everything out 🙂
Marimo Moss Ball
Marimo moss balls are soft and light, making them a good choice for betta fish. They are also easy to care for, making them an ideal plant for beginners. Marimo moss balls do not contain toxins or irritants that would harm your betta fish.
Marimo moss balls aren’t toxic to humans either! In fact, some people even use marimo moss balls as decorative accessories in aquariums because they look like miniature plants floating in the water!
“Transplanting your houseplants can be a daunting task, but doing it at the right time and in the right way can help prevent the need for repotting. Learn more about when to transplant houseplants with our expert tips.”
Water Wisteria
Water Wisteria is a beautiful aquatic plant that is popular in aquariums. It grows well in low light conditions, which makes it a good choice for betta fish tanks where plants require less sunlight than normal.
The plant will thrive in a range of water conditions, including hard and soft water as well as acidic or alkaline waters. The most important thing to consider when choosing plants for your tank is whether they are safe for your pet fish—and Water Wisteria certainly fits the bill!
Amazon Sword Plant
The Amazon Sword Plant is a very popular plant for aquariums, especially for beginners. Amazon Sword Plants are also one of the best plants for small aquariums.
This is because they grow at a slow pace and don’t require much maintenance to maintain their health and appearance.
Amazon Swords can grow up to 48 inches tall, which makes them perfect for taller aquarium setups like the 20-gallon long aquarium or larger.
Amazon Swords do not require much light so you can place them anywhere in your tank where there isn’t any direct sunlight shining on them.
They don’t need much water flow either; just make sure that all areas of your tank receive some oxygenated water every few hours so they don’t die off due to lack of oxygen (which will cause them to turn brown).
Water Sprite (Ceratopteris)
Water sprite is an aquatic plant that grows on the water’s surface. It is an excellent oxygenator and a good nitrogen remover.
This plant is low-maintenance, but it requires high humidity and moderate light levels, so it should not be placed near a drafty window or in direct sunlight. If you have too much light or not enough moisture, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off; if you don’t have enough sunlight, the leaves will remain dark green but become more narrow and stiff than usual.
The best way to care for your water sprite is by growing it in an aquarium with your betta fish!
“Want to minimize the need for frequent repotting? Choose low-maintenance indoor plants! Our list of 15 indoor plants you can grow if you’re lazy includes plants that are easy to care for and perfect for busy or forgetful plant owners.”
Vallisneria Spiralis
You can grow this plant in a pot. It can grow up to 1 meter in length, emersed or submersed. Make sure you get the right variety (spiralis).
You can use it as a background plant or foreground plant. It will not outgrow your tank and is easy to care for.
Moneywort (Bacopa Monnieri)
What is it? Bacopa is an aquatic plant that grows in shallow water or muddy areas. It’s very pretty and has green leaves with purple undersides.
Some people consider this to be a weed because it grows so quickly, but it can also look quite beautiful in your aquarium.
You should keep an eye on your moneywort as it grows, though, because if you let it grow too long without trimming the leaves they will start to brown around the edges and turn yellowish in color.
This plant doesn’t require much care; however, you should check your tank often for signs of overgrowth or any other problems that may arise due to lack of proper care (such as rotting). The best thing about bacopa monnieri is that it can thrive even when there isn’t enough light for other plants!
“Keeping your houseplants healthy is key to reducing the need for frequent repotting. Our guide on 13 tips to never let your houseplants die provides expert advice on proper watering, lighting, and other care tips to keep your plants thriving.”
Conclusion
So, to sum up, moneywort is a great plant for betta fish. It provides lots of oxygen and it’s also very easy to care for.
If you want something with more color or texture than moneywort, consider getting some Java Ferns instead!
Further Reading
The Sill: Plant Care – Repotting – Learn the signs that your plant needs repotting and how to do it properly.
The Indoor Nursery: How Often to Repot Plants – A comprehensive guide on when and how to repot indoor plants.
Indoor Plants for Beginners: How Often Do You Repot a Plant? – A helpful article on how often to repot plants and what to look for.
FAQs
What is repotting?
Repotting is the process of transferring a plant from one pot to another, usually because the plant has outgrown its current container.
When should I repot my plant?
You should repot your plant when it has outgrown its current container or when the soil is no longer providing adequate nutrition.
How do I know if my plant needs repotting?
Signs that your plant needs repotting include roots growing out of the drainage holes, soil drying out too quickly, or the plant becoming too top-heavy.
What type of soil should I use for repotting?
You should use a well-draining soil mix specifically designed for indoor plants.
How often should I repot my plant?
The frequency of repotting depends on the type of plant and its growth rate, but a general rule of thumb is to repot every 1-2 years.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.