How to Plant Aquarium Plants in Substrate

Adding live plants to your aquarium gives it a natural look, improves water quality, and creates a healthier environment for fish. However, many beginners lose plants because they plant them incorrectly. Some of the plants need their roots buried in the substrate. But others can rot if you bury the wrong part of the plant. Let's check out how to plant aquarium plants correctly in substrate and which plants need to be buried.

Here is A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Set Up a Healthy Aquarium for Beginners. 

How to Choose the Right Substrate for Your Planted Aquariums?

Nutrient-Rich Substrates

Before planted aquariums and aquascaping became popular, many hobbyists used soil as a substrate for growing aquarium plants. The reason is that soil naturally contains nutrients that plants need. Its texture is very similar to the bottom of the lakes and rivers where aquatic plants grow in the wild. 

The problem is that when soil mixes with water, it can make the aquarium look like a muddy mess. Most people use sand or gravel to cover the soil so it stays in place and doesn't cloud the water. It can work well, but only if you don't regularly move the plants around or disturb the substrate.

Another issue is that soil does not stay nutrient-rich forever. Over time, the nutrients get used up, just as in garden soil. When it happens, you need to add nutrients back by using root tabs or fertilizers. However, doing so can sometimes disturb the substrate and make the water cloudy again. 

Because of the challenges of managing dirted tanks, many aquarium brands now make special plant substrates. These are small, nutrient-rich granules made to support plant growth. They are usually known as active substrates because they can lower pH and soften water hardness. That makes them a popular choice for crystal shrimp tanks and planted aquariums. As they are made from organic materials, they can break down over time. 

They become soft and muddy, just like regular soil. After 1-2 years, the nutrients in the substrate can be depleted, so you may need to replenish them with root tabs or fertilizers.

Inert Substances

These do not contain many nutrients. It may sound like a disadvantage at first, but they can still work very well for the planted aquariums. For example, if you already have a tank with regular aquarium gravel and later decide to add live plants, you usually don't need to replace the substrate. 

Many plants, such as floating, stem, and rhizome plants, can obtain most of their nutrients from the water column rather than the substrate. In that case, you need to simply use a liquid fertilizer to provide the nutrients they need. 

If you later want to add heavy root-feeding plants like Amazon swords, you can place root tabs into the substrate. It provides nutrients directly to the roots and makes an inert substrate much more suitable for rooted plants. 

There are various inert substrates made specifically for planted tanks. And, those substrates usually do not break down over time, so there is no need to replace them regularly. The reason is that they are made from volcanic rock or clay-based materials that can hold onto nutrients from fish waste or fertilizers.

Then, Which Substrate Works Well for Aquarium Plants?

There is no single substrate that works best for every planted aquarium. The right choice depends on some of the factors, like your plant types and water conditions. and aquarium goals. 

For example, experienced gardeners usually test their soil to see which nutrients are available and which ones are lacking. They then improve the soil by adding materials that add the missing nutrients. The same idea applies to the planted aquariums. 

Which Steps Do You Need To Follow?

Prepare the Plants

Most aquarium plants bought online or at a fish store usually come in a small plastic pot filled with rock wool. Before you plant them in the aquarium, you should remove both the pot and the rock wool. The only exception is if you are using certain carpeting plants or a special planter. Here's how you can remove the packaging safely: 

• Gently squeeze the plastic pot to slide the plant and rock wool out. If the roots are very long and tangled, you need to trim them to free the plant. 

• Carefully pull the rock wool apart and remove the plant from the middle without damaging the roots. If some of the rock wool is stuck to the roots, use your finger, a fork, or tweezers to remove as much of it as possible. 

• Check for any small yellow fertilizer balls in the rock wool and remove them. They can release extra nutrients into the aquarium water. 

• Then, rinse off any leftover debris, and the plant is ready to be added to the substrate.

Lower The Water Level

The easiest way to plant aquarium plants is to keep only a small amount of water in the tank, just a few centimeters above the bottom. Some people plant when the aquarium is completely full, but that makes it harder to see clearly and place the plants properly in the gravel. 

When adding water back to the tank, pour it slowly onto a saucer or other surface so that the gravel is not disturbed. You need to fill the aquarium till the water is about 2 cm above the gravel. It also helps to keep a spray bottle nearby so you can mist the plants and stop them from drying out when you work. As long as the plant stays wet, they grow well.

Plant According to the Plant Type

Rhizome Plants

Rhizome plants include Java fern and Bolbitis. These plants grow from a rhizome, which is a thick stem that grows sideways. The leaves and stems grow upward from the rhizome, and the roots grow downward. Do not bury rhizome plants in the substrate. Instead, you can place them in small gaps in between rocks or attach them to driftwood using aquarium-safe super glue gel or thread. Over time, their roots will grow around the rock or wood and keep the plant in place naturally.

Sword Plants

Sword plants are a type of rosette plant. It means all their leaves grow from the base in a circle. Common examples include the Red Flame sword and the Amazon sword. Many sword plants can grow quite tall, so it is best to place them in the middle or back of the aquarium to avoid blocking the view of smaller plants. 

You need to make a small hole in the substrate to plant a sword plant. Use your fingers or planting tweezers to place the roots into the substrate. Cover the roots, but do not bury the crown. The crown is the part at the base from which all the leaves grow. 

Sword plants are heavy root feeders, which means they take in most of their nutrients through their roots. If you are using plain gravel, sand, or an older nutrient-rich substrate, it helps add root tabs so the plant gets enough nutrients to grow well.

Cryptocoryne Plants

Cryptocoryne, mostly known as "crypts," is another type of rosette plant. Like sword plants, they need to be planted in the substrate and usually grow better with root tabs. Some of the common varieties include Cryptocoryne spiralis, Cryptocoryne wendtii, and Cryptocoryne parva.

When planting crypts, you need to bury the roots in the substrate. However, keep the crown above the substrate. One thing you need to know about crypts is that they often undergo "crypt melt" when moved to a new aquarium. It means their old leaves die off after planting. Don't worry, it is very common. Once the plant adjusts to its new environment, it usually begins growing new underwater leaves. Some aquascapers even trim off the old leaves before planting so that the plant can focus on the new growth. However, it is not recommended for Cryptocoryne parva as it does not melt as frequently as other crypts. 

Grass-Like Plants

The group includes plants such as Vallisneria, dwarf sagittaria, and micro sword. These plants spread by sending out stolons or runners, which are small horizontal stems that grow new baby plants. Over time, they can create a grassy carpet in the front of the tank or a tall background. 

You need to place the roots into the substrate when planting, but do not bury the base of the leaves. If one pot contains various small plants, keep them separate, and plant them with a little space in between each one. Doing so provides them a space to spread and grow. 

Mosses 

Mosses are the same as rhizome plants because they do not need to be planted in substrate. Instead, they are attached to rocks, decorations, or driftwood using thread or aquarium-safe glue. Many mosses are sold already attached to mesh, wood, or other decor. They also remain floating in the tank, where they form thick clumps that baby fish can hide in. Some of the most common aquarium mosses are Java moss and Christmas moss. Marimo moss balls are a type of algae, and not moss; they need the same care. 

Stem Plants

These plants grow upward from a single stem. Their leaves grow directly from the sides of the stem. Some of the common examples include Bacopa, Pogostemon stellatus, and pearl weed. Before planting, you need to remove the ring, foam, basket, or rubber band around the stems. 

Then plant each stem individually into the substrate. Avoid placing them all in a single bunch. Leave some space between each stem so the roots have enough room to grow. 

Push the stem about 2 to 3 inches into the substrate, even if that means some of the lower leaves get covered. Tweezers can make it much easier. If the stems keep floating up, you can use plant weights to hold them down. Some of the stem plants are sold without roots. In that case, most aquarists float them in the tank till roots start to grow, and then plant them later.

Secure The Plant Gently

Once you have placed the plants in place, gently press the substrate around the base to hold it well. Avoid packing it too tightly, as roots still need some space to spread. 

Refill The Tank Slowly

When you are done with planting, make sure to refill the aquarium slowly so that it does not disturb the substrate. A simple trick is to pour some water on a plate, bowl, or plastic bag, and place it in the tank. It can soften the flow of water and help keep your plants in place.

Check out 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Setting Up Your Aquarium.

A Healthy Start for Your Planted Tank

When you know how to handle each plant type, it becomes easy to plant aquarium plants in substrate. Make sure to prepare the plants well, place them at the right depth, and secure them gently. It helps them settle in and grow. You need to have some patience and set it up correctly to make your planted aquariums more natural, healthier, and easier to maintain.