Beginner aquarium plants share three traits: low light tolerance, slow growth, and resilience to neglect. Anubias (nana, barteri, congensis): tie or glue to driftwood/rock - never bury the rhizome (rots). Tolerates 4,000-7,000K, no CO2, no fertilizer. Lifespan: 5-15 years. Java fern (Microsorum pteropus): same rules as anubias - rhizome on hardscape. Standard, narrow-leaf, windelov, trident varieties. Slow but reliable. Java moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri): attach to anything. Carpets, hangs, drapes. Low-tech friendly. Ideal shrimp + fry shelter. Amazon sword (Echinodorus bleheri, gracilis): root-feeder, plant in substrate. 6-12" leaves. Use root tabs (Seachem Flourish Tabs). Lifespan 3-5 years. Cryptocoryne wendtii (green, brown, red): slow but bulletproof root-feeder. May "melt" when first added - leaves dissolve, then regrow over 4-6 weeks (normal). Vallisneria (jungle val, italian val): grass-like background plant. Spreads via runners. Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum): floating or weighted. Fastest nitrate uptake of any common plant. Drops needles - vacuum often. Fertilizer: 1x weekly Seachem Flourish Comprehensive at recommended dose, or Aquarium Co-op Easy Green for liquid. Skip: ferts not designed for aquariums (terrestrial garden ferts kill fish).
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