20 Best Plants For Betta Fish

If you have recently just started decorating your Betta fish tanks, we highly suggest integrating some greenery into the décor.

By doing this, you can significantly improve the aesthetic appeal of your tank and also help your Betta fish adapt to their new surroundings more quickly.

The plants you select should help reduce the number of algae in your tank, increase the amount of oxygen in it, and effectively remove any potentially harmful gasses and. 

Our list features the best 20 plants for Betta fish tanks, with instructions on how to care for them, lighting requirements, and other vital characteristics. Let’s take a look at them individually.

List of Betta Fish Plants

The following list features 20 of the most Betta-friendly plants for your aquarium tank:

Java Moss

• Full Name: Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
• Light Preference: Low
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Mid-ground

Java moss is an ideal plant for Betta fish. It add vibrancy to your aquarium without any need for additional fake plastic plants, and its flexibility allows pet owners to arrange it in various ways.

For a fuller look, you can either carpet the plant along the substrate by rooting it or attach it to the rock.

Its easy maintenance makes it an excellent choice for beginner Betta fish owners. This Java moss can flourish in small setups and doesn’t require much light.

Generally, juvenile Java moss separates from its parent and floats around before eventually attaching to either a rock or on the substrate. As a result, dividing the parent plant is an effective method for propagating multiple pieces of moss. 

Amazon Sword

• Full Name: Amazon Sword Plant (Echinodorus bleheri)
• Light Preference: High 
• Upkeep Level: Moderate 
• Placement: Background 

The Amazon sword is a popular choice among Betta owners and stands as the favorite plant of many. These flowy plants give a healthy visual of Bettas’ natural habitat. It’s relatively large leaves protrude from the substrate, creating a cozy hiding spot for Bettas.

In addition to serving as hiding spot, these Amazon sword plants provide extra privacy. However, make sure that your tank is big enough to accommodate the size of this plant as it grows a fair amount. 

It’s important that owners save a little time for their upkeep. These plants require ample to keep their green color perked up, so it’s best to avoid them if your tank features a dim light.

We highly recommend a layer of soil substrate of 4 inches for the plants optimal growth ,although burying their roots underneath your aquarium gravel could also work.

Marimo Moss Balls

• Full Name: Aegagropila linnaei
• Light Preference: Low To Moderate 
• Upkeep Level: Moderate
• Placement: Foreground 

Marimo moss balls are a fantastic way to surely add a distinctive touch to your Betta aquarium without overspending on many decorative items. You can use these green balls of algae in various ways, making them a versatile plant option.

Individuals can either place them at a fixed spot in their tanks or let them to float around the tank like tiny cotton balls. These plants can provide plenty of enrichment for your Betta fish and they may even play with them.

Lastly, ensure that you stick to a rinse and wash routine to keep them green and healthy. Thus, your Bettas can enjoy playtime with the moss balls without any harm, providing them with the necessary stimulation they need.

Wisteria

• Full Name: Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
• Light Preference: Low To Moderate 
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Sides Or Background 

Wisteria is a low-maintenance plant that individuals can either plant in the background or on the sides of their tank. It’s favored by many aquarists due to its ability to add much-needed greenery to the tank with minimal effort. 

Thriving in low light environments, this low-maintenance plant only requires occasional fertilization to ensure its well-being.

Moreover, the leaves of this plant take different shapes based on the water conditions and temperature.

Wisteria is also known for its hardy nature; the plant requires zero attention. However, it is still recommended to monitor its growth closely.

 They greens that grow fast. Thus, it may be necessary to trim them occasionally depending on the size of your tank. 

Pennywort

• Full Name: Brazilian Pennywort, Hydrocotyle leucocephala
• Light Preference: Low
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Mid-ground 

We suggest planting Pennywort in your fish tanks to add a rich and fuller aquatic life. Many members of the aquascaping community ignite their creativity to use this plant in multiple ways. 

This plant is called Pennywort due to its coin-shaped leaves that grow alternately on a stem resembling a vine. However, it’s essential to note that the plant is primarily a surface-dwelling plant and will float when in contact in contact with the water.

If you plant Pennywort in your tank, it is crucial to ensure there is enough space for your Bettas Bettas to access the surface for oxygen. The plant’s level is simple and straightforward, as it can thrive both underwater and above water.

 If you want to regulate their growth rate, restrict the available light can keep the growth in control. Furthermore, regular trimming of the top is necessary.

Water Sprite

• Full Name: Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides)
• Light Preference: Moderate 
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Background 

Water sprite is a lush and dense plant that can add a beautiful complexity to your Betta fish tank. Their spread-out leaves and stems create an optimal environment for the Bettas to live and sleep around.

Young Bettas can enjoy interacting and exploring with the plant and its bushy leaves for hours. 

You can either leave it floating near the surface or root it into the tank. The upkeep is nominal, with little need for artificial or natural or light.

These plants can thrive in any tank size or aquatic setting. Trimming is the only chore you have to take care of. 

Anubias Nana

• Full Name: Anubias Barteri var. Nana
• Light Preference: Low
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Foreground, Background 

Anubias nana is a an excellent plant that can easily become a staple green feature in all of your future aquarium setups. The plant’s vibrant green color instantly fills any empty fish tank with life. 

Anubias nana needs meager light and room to thrive and grow in your Betta fish tank, and owners do not have to spend much time caring for them.

Additionally, as Anubias nana grows relatively slowly, it doesn’t require frequent trimming or pruning. However, it’s crucial to avoid covering their rhizomes, as doing so can cause them to decay rapidly. 

Banana Plant

• Full Name: Banana Plant (Nymphoides Aquatica)
• Light Preference: Moderate 
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Foreground 

The Banana plant is an excellent plant to invest in your Betta fish tank. True to its name, the plant’s roots resemble bananas and serve to anchor the rest of the plant.

This banana-shaped root of stores the plant’s many nutrients to survive and thrive in aquatic conditions. You can notice a small stem emerging from the roots, culminating in a broad leaf resembling a miniature lily pad.

The pads usually occupy very little space but create a charming, welcoming environment for all your Bettas.

Furthermore, Anubias nana can thrive with just moderate sunlight and occasional trimming. However, it can still survive in low light conditions for the most part.

We highly recommend considering the Banana plant if you are looking wish to add a unique element without overwhelmingthe tank with thick bushy plants.

Hygrophila

• Full Name: Hygrophila polysperma
• Light Preference: Moderate 
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Background Or Sides 

Hygrophila is a reasonably simple plant that can add life to your Betta fish tank lively with its long leaves.

Although Hygrophila may seem unremarkable due to its standard characteristics, we highly recommend it as a base layer to complement other distinctive plants in your tank.

The plant has a tremendous growth potential, reaching up to two and half feet without any trimmings. If you own a large aquarium tank, consider adding it as a forever resident in your aquatic world.

Cryptocoryne wendtii

• Full Name: Cryptocoryne wendtii, Wendt’s Water Trumpet
• Light Preference: Low To High
• Upkeep Level: Moderate 
• Placement: Mid-ground 

Cryptocoryne wendtii is a species that grows relatively slowly and only reaches a maximum height of 6 to 8 inches. The plant is available in both dried bulbs and potted form.

It needs a moderate upkeep chores and a relatively limited light source and. If you own a tank without artificial lights, consider buying the Cryptocoryne wendtii plant. 

Moreover, Betta owners can pick from various textures and colors and if they chose to buy this plant for their tank. Some popular hues include brown, green, red, and a subtle mix of green and red.

Large-leaved plants provide excellent big leaves make excellent hiding places, whereas small-stemmed plants allow for swift and uninterrupted and movements. 

Hornwort

• Full Name: Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
• Light Preference: Low To High
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Background 

There is no denying that Hornwort is one of the most fragile and beautiful looking plants you can incorporate into your aquarium. With its bright green color and wispy thin needle leaves, the plant add a lively flowing water effect to any tank. 

Hornwort can be paired well with Bettas of luscious and rich tails, and together they can create an exciting and visually appealing scenery for any sized fish aquarium.

However, if you prefer to avoid the hassle of frequent tank cleaning, consider skipping this one. It is notorious for shedding nettles that can quickly decay and must be removed with a siphon.

Apart from that, the plant is highly beneficial .it can remove nitrates from the water, grows quite quickly, offering shelter for vulnerable flies or shy fish, and creating the appearance of flowing water.

Vallisneria

• Full Name: Vallisneria
• Light Preference: Low To High
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Sides Or Background 

Vallisneria is an excellent choice for individuals with a big fish tank. As long as this plant is given adequate lighting and proper nutrients, it will perform to thrive well in any water conditions.

Featuring long, grassy leaves reminiscent of a meadow, the plant provides an exciting backdrop for your Bettas to explore, play, and relax. Moreover, its extended foliage can effectively conceal unsightly hoses, pipes, and otherwise open filters. 

Additionally, Vallisneria requires low maintenance. Once you have planted it properly, it grows with ease.

Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that Vallisneria’s slender leaves can sometimes grow longer than desired and entangle fish. Regular trimming is necessary to keep this dense vegetation in control. 

Vallisneria reproduces by sending out runners from the mother plant. And if left unmonitored, it can successfully take over the surface of the tank .To manage its growth, you can either permanently remove the runners or trim the plant regularly.

Lastly, we advise against burying its roots too deep as this can significantly impact the plant’s well-being. Instead, ensure that you expose its crown above the substrate bed at all times.

Java Fern

• Full Name: Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)
• Light Preference: Low To Moderate
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Mid-ground 

Java fern is a highly favored plant that is well-suited for Betta fish. This species tolerates a wide range of water conditions and is relatively low maintenance.

Furthermore, its intricate patterns and texture give the tank a vibrant and flowing appearance. This plant pairs beautifully with Bettas that have long, flowing fins.

Like most aquatic plants, try not to bury their rhizome to avoid unwanted rot.

This growth rate of java is moderate and it does not spread like typical weeds, enabling the owners to prune them effortlessly. Finally, its hardy nature allows them to grow without requiring extensive care.

Amazon Frogbit

• Full Name: Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)
• Light Preference: Medium
• Upkeep Level: Easy 
• Placement: Water surface

Amazon Frogbit is an exceptional plant that resembles tiny lily pods. Which sets it apart from the vertical plants on this list.

As a floating plant, Amazon Frogbit relies on the nutrients supplied by its dangling roots that hang beneath the surface of the water.

Bettas of all ages are sure to relish swimming among the roots of Amazon Frogbit and interacting with the large leaves sitting atop the water surface. 

The upkeep level is relatively low, with minimal pruning required every couple of weeks. However,it is important to ensure that your tank has a few plants, as they can quickly overtake  the water’s surface and prevent your Betta from accessing it.

We recommend using this plant if you’re considering breeding or mating your Bettas. Its protective leaves serve as great bubble nests or keep the fry safe. 

Anacharis

• Full Name: Anacharis or Elodea (Elodea densa)
• Light Preference: Moderate 
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Background, Foreground 

If you appreciate the fluidity that vertical plants offer to your aquarium, Anacharis is a fantastic option. It is an incredibly robust and easy-to-care-for plant that also aids in preventing green algae growth in your Betta’s tank.

Moreover, the plant is known to secrete a specific chemical that stop the spread of the algae to a greater extent. Even ammonia in the tank gets eliminated while fresh oxygen is pumped into the water. 

The plant provides a reasonably dense cover for the Bettas to hide and play in. Lastly, Anacharis thrives well without the need for extra light 24×7. 

Pygmy Chain Sword Plant

• Full Name: Pygmy Chain Sword Plant (Echinodorus tenellus)
• Light Preference: High
• Upkeep Level: Moderate 
• Placement: Sideways, Ground Surface

Pygmy Chain Sword is known for its fast-growing and hardy nature that requires a lot of light to survive. Typically, this plant is used by experienced aquascapers as a carpet plant in their tropical Betta tank setups. 

The Pygmy Chain Sword plant typically spreads by sending the runners throughout the substrate, resulting in a lush green carpeted appearance similar to thick grass.

It can deal with any pH or temperature conditions but requires high lighting for growth. Even beginner Betta fish enthusiasts can have Pygmy Chain Sword in their tank with just a little bit of maintenance. 

Christmas Moss

• Full Name: Christmas Moss (Vesicularia montagnei)
• Light Preference: Moderate 
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Foreground, Mid-ground

Christmas moss is a great option for making your tiny fish tank look greener. They usually form tidy little bunches that resemble small fir trees.

This mossy plant with small densely packed leaves thrives in low to medium light conditions . 

Christmas moss doesn’t require fertilizers to grow, as its natural growth cycle is medium to slow. However, it is important for new fish owners to note that the moss’s growth is directly linked to the cleanliness and maintenance of the Betta’s tank.

Lastly, you can either gravel for sand or opt to make them grow dense and lush.  

Glossostigma

• Full Name: Glossostigma Elatinoides
• Light Preference: High
• Upkeep Level: Difficult 
• Placement: Bottom Surface

Glossostigma is a highly popular plant among Betta owners worldwide. Due to its little maintenance requirements and ease of care, requiring only periodic application of seasonal fertilizers.

Ideally, Glossostigma do best in shallow tanks with ample light. To help this plant to run like a carpet, divide it by splitting each pot into multiple bunches.

The growth of Glossostigma can be enhanced by using CO2 with soft water instead of hard water. This plant typically propagates through cuttings, splittings, removing daughter plants, or using runners.

Marsilea Minuta

• Full Name: Marsilea Minuta, Waterclover
• Light Preference: High
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Bottom Surface

Marsilea Minuta, also known as the Dwarf Waterclover, is a fascinating type of aquatic fern used for fishes as a food plant.

This fern can be planted as a carpet to create a bed for your Bettas to swim over. It can thrive under low to high light conditions, allowing it to grow to its full potential.

Additionally, this plant has a moderate growth rate, which means that owners don’t have to worry about trimming or cutting the plant. 

Anubias Barteri

• Full Name: Anubias Barteri (Var. Barteri)
• Light Preference: Low To Moderate
• Upkeep Level: Easy
• Placement: Foreground

Last but surely not least is the Anubias Barteri, a slow-growing yet undemanding plant from the Anubias family. The plant requires a very little to moderate amount of light for survival.

The most excellent feature of this plant is its availability of multiple varieties for every tank size. Furthermore, this plant doesn’t need even an occasional boost of fertilizer to grow. 

Conclusion

We hope our list of 20 Betta-friendly tank plants aided you find a plant for your Betta fish tank. There are a lot of options out there and you might get overwhelmed but don’t worry.

All you have to take consider is the size of your tank and if you have enough time or energy to take care of plants that need regular maintenance. 

Ultimately, it’s an easy process to select two or three plants that can harmoniously coexist in your tank based on these considerations.

However, it is important to be vigilant of invasive plants that can develop quickly and restrict the movement of your Bettas within the tank.