Live plants are a great way to set up and decorate your first aquarium. Besides looking better than their artificial counterparts they offer a plethora of benefits. These benefits include a place for your fish to hide, soaking up excess waste in the aquarium and more.

However, new people entering the aquarium hobby might be hesitant to try out live plants due to the high requirements some plants might have. But, fear not! There are plenty of plants that follow into the hardy and low maintenance category that make plant keeping easy. And just to prove my point, all of the pictures shown in this article are pictures taken from my aquariums.

A Marimo Moss Ball is a great addition to a nano-sized tank. These balls are actually a type of filamentous green algae that forms into the shape of a ball. These algae balls are very low maintenance and require little to no fertilizer. Along with this, they make a great conversation starter due to their unique shape.

Marimo balls prefer medium to low indirect light. Marimos come from pools of water that are relatively deep and don’t require high levels of light. If given too much light they might turn brown.

Marimos come from cooler waters and shouldn’t be placed in temps higher than the 70’s. Coldwater tanks would be a great place for them. Tropical tanks should work fine as well as long as it doesn’t get too hot.

Marimos can be placed anywhere as they tend to rest on the substrate. They might move around if the water current is too strong. But, due to their smaller sizes, it might be best to place them in the foreground.

These little guys grow very slowly. Don’t expect too much if any growth from your Marimos. But, over time they might grow in size. If you want to you can divide bigger Marimos and roll them up into smaller balls.

Every once in a while you should gently squeeze your Marimo ball to get rid of any debris that has collected on its surface. Along with this, Marimos should be rotated around so they can keep their round shape and allow the bottom side to receive some light.

Anubias plants are known for their extreme hardiness. And the Dwarf Anubias is no exception. This small version of the Anubias species are perfect addition towards any sized tank. Anubias species are strong plants that produce varying colors of arrow-shaped leaves. This species of plants all have a rhizome that is located just below the stem. It should be noted that the rhizome should never be buried in the substrate. This will cause your plant to rot and it will die over time.

Anubias species do best in low-medium light. Too much light will harm the slow growing leaves of this plant and allow for possible algae growth on the leaves.

Typical aquarium water parameters should be fine for this plant. Just make sure to stay away from the higher 80's.

Place anywhere in the substrate but make sure the rhizome is sticking out above the substrate. These plants can be tied onto driftwood and rocks with some common thread. After a couple of weeks, the plant should root onto whatever you placed it on.

New growth can be cut from the rhizome. Simply cut a piece of the rhizome with some leaf growth.

Anubias species aren’t true submerged plants. These plants are found above water in wet areas. Because of this growth underwater is slow. But fear not, they are not harmed if kept totally submerged. These plants don’t require fertilization or CO2.

Java Ferns are an aquatic fern that comes in many different leaf variations. This plant is known for its easy care and broad green leaves.

Again, low to medium will work great with this fern. Don’t use too strong of a light or it might harm your fern.

Similar to the other plants in the list, Java ferns can stand most temperatures in your average aquarium. Just don’t let the tank water get in the high 80’s.

Similar to Anubias species, this aquarium fern doesn’t need to be buried into the substrate. It can be placed on driftwood or rocks, over time the Java fern will produce roots that will attach to the surface.

Java fern can be propagated by dividing the rhizome. Just make sure that each division has some healthy growth on it.

While they don’t necessarily require fertilizer, a small dose of liquid fertilizers will really help out the growth of this fern.

  Java Moss are a very hardy moss that is almost impossible to kill once it gets established. It’s a great plant for young fish fry or shrimps to hide in.

Java Moss will accept and adapt to any light. Brighter lights will make Java Moss grow faster.

Java Moss can accommodate a wide temperature range. Just make sure it doesn't get too hot in the tank.

Java Moss doesn’t need to be planted. Typically, an aquarist will place moss on driftwood or rocks. Over time the moss will attach to its surrounding. Along with this, placing the moss on top of the substrate will allow the moss take root over time.

Java Moss is very easy to propagate. Simply remove a clump of moss and place it where you want a new spot to grow.

 Dwarf Lily Bulbs are great starter plants. As implied in the name these plants normally come in a bulb form. Simply place the bulb in the tank where you want the plant to grow and wait. It’s that easy. These plants produce two types of leaves during growth. One type of leaves stays in the water column. While the other type is a runner that grows on top of the water surface. These leaves can quickly cover the surface of the tank if no pruning is done.

Unlike, the majority of the plants on this list, Dwarf lily plants do best in medium to bright light.

Dwarf Lily plants prefer warm temperatures in the 70’s to lower 80’s.

Just place the bulb where you want the plant to grow. The plant will take care of the rest. These plants can grow quite big so it’s recommended to place them towards the back of the tank.

I would recommend buying another bulb if you want a new Dwarf Lily plant to take root.

Are a very easy aquarium plant to grow once it’s established. Also, it’s widely available in the aquarium trade. These plants come in a wide range of colors.

Cryptocoryne species love low to medium light conditions.

 Crypts enjoy general tropical conditions. Temps in the 70’s to low 80’s will be fine for this species.

Place the crypt into the substrate. Make sure the roots are buried.

Simply remove a clump of stems with roots attached. These can then be planted in the substrate.

Crypts are known to go through a phenomenon called “Crypt melting”. This happens when they are introduced to a new aquarium. The bulk of the plant will die back and lose a lot of its leaves. It might even look dead. But, don’t worry. The plant is dying back to gather enough energy to make new leaves that are suited to its new environment.

Water Sprite is a common aquarium plant that can be used in a wide range of placements. One unique feature of this plant is that it can be planted in the substrate or left floating in the water column. This plant is very adaptable and will soon be accustomed to your tank parameters.

Water Sprite prefers medium to high light. However, low light should be fine, just expect slower growth.

Water Sprite prefers tropical temperatures in the lower 70’s to low 80’s.

Water Sprite can grow by two methods. Water Sprite can be left to float in a tank or planted into the substrate.

This plant will produce small runners over time which look like a miniature version of the mother plant. These runners can be simply plucked off. Another method you could try is to remove a healthy piece of stem along with some roots. Over time it will grow more roots and leaves.

For the most part, you can find these plants at mom and pop aquarium stores. Chain Pets stores will also have a section of some of these plants listed above. Recently, I've been getting some of my aquarium plants online. Feel Free to check out this link ==>Amazon Live Aquarium Plants for a listing of live plants.