14 Best Fast Growing Aquarium Plants without CO2

If you’re looking for the best fast-growing plants that don’t require CO2, you’ve come to the right place.

All the plants in this article can easily grow pretty fast without CO2.

CO2 simply accelerates their growth.

So, if you want to accelerate the growth of these plants, you can supplement them with CO2.

Plant growth can be accelerated by the addition of fertilizers.

Following is the list of plants that can grow without CO2:

1.Amazon Sword

amazon 1

The most famous aquatic plant in the aquarium hobby is the Amazon sword. This is a very hardy plant that is also very simple to care for, making it ideal for beginners.

It is a tall plant that gives your tank a forest-like appearance. This plant can reach a height of 15 inches and requires a minimum tank size of 10 gallons.

How much light does it require?

When it comes to taking care of the Amazon sword, lighting is crucial.

You can use any type of lighting, whether luminescent or simple filament, but it must be on for at least 11 to 12 hours per day.

What’s the best place for it in the tank?

Amazon sword has very large leaves that grow in all directions. Its leaves grow to be quite large, and it takes up much space in your tank.

The Amazon sword should be planted in the center of the tank so that it has enough space to grow and reach its full height.

You should also avoid planting an Amazon sword near other small plants because it will block their light.

Because it is a tall plant, you can keep it in the background of your tank.

Substrate requirements:

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The thickness of the substrate is very essential when it comes to the Amazon sword. For planting Amazon sword, you can use any substrate.

The material should be at least 2.5 inches thick. It is very simple to plant an Amazon sword.

Simply drill a hole in the substrate and insert it firmly. It is a very strong plant that can easily care for itself.

Fertilization requirements:

Amazon sword is a tough plant that can fight for itself. It can obtain the majority of the nutrients it needs from the remaining fish food, which serves as fertilizer for it, as well as from the water.

It will also consume the CO2 exhaled by your tank’s fish. However, you can supplement it with iron-rich fertilizers, particularly after performing water changes.

Fertilizer in the form of root tabs can be given to it.

Ideal water parameters:

Amazon Sword is a tough plant that can withstand a wide range of water conditions. The tank’s average temp should be between 62 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pH should be 6.5 to 7.5, and the hardness should be 8 to 15 DH.

Amazon sword can cause algae growth in your aquarium, especially if you leave your aquarium’s lights on for more than 12 hours. As a result, you must exercise extreme caution in maintaining the lighting regime.

2.Hornwort

Hornwort 1

Hornwort is a famous freshwater aquarium plant that is thought to be one of the first land plants.

This is most likely the easiest freshwater plant to grow, and it can endure a wide range of water parameters, making it ideal for beginners.

This plant can reach a height of 10 feet and develops very quickly. It should ideally be kept in a tank of at least 15 gallons.

How much light does it require?

When it comes to hornwort lighting, the more light it receives, the greener and larger it becomes.

As a result, you should provide it with high-intensity light and ensure that it is not in the shade in your tank.

What’s the best place to keep it in the tank?

This plant is commonly used as a background plant.

Substrate requirement:

Hornwort 33

You can either let the Hornwort float in the aquarium or tie it to any ornament.

If you have groundfish, keep it floating in your aquarium; if you have fish that prefer to live in the middle or lower level of your aquaria, such as tetras or loaches, plant it or tie it to driftwood or any ornament in your aquarium.

Hornwort does not have roots, but some of its leaves can be used to stabilize it into the substrate or tied to driftwood or any ornament in your tank.

Fertilization requirements:

Hornwort is an excellent source of nutrients for itself.

This plant has allelopathic abilities, which permit it to produce chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants in its vicinity, allowing Hornwort to absorb all of the nutrients for itself.

If you have other plants in your aquarium, you should use fertilizers to keep a healthy level of nutrients in your tank for the development of other plants.

Ideal water parameters:

Hornwort can withstand a wide range of water conditions.

Hornwort grows best at temperatures ranging from 59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, with pH levels ranging from 6.0 to 7.5 and hardness levels ranging from 5 to 15 DH.

3.Amazon Frogbit

Amazon Frogbit 22

Amazon frogbit is a type of floating plant. Because of its sponge-like leaves, it is also recognized as the South America sponge plant.

This plant can reach a height of 20 inches and requires a tank with a minimum capacity of at least 10 gallons.

The Amazon frogbit is probably the best looking floating plant in the aquatic hobby because when it matures, it produces white flowers that appear really cool.

Amazon frogbits assist in lowering the temperature of your aquarium by obstructing the light that causes the temperature to increase.

How much light does it require?

Amazon Frogbit

When it comes to lighting for aquatic plants, you usually don’t need to worry about it. As long as all of the floating plants remain on the surface of the tank’s water, it will receive plenty of light.

You should provide Amazon frogbit with moderate to high light. You can use a full-spectrum T5 or T8 bulb, or any LED light.

Ideal water parameters:

The ideal temperature of the water for Amazon frogbit growth is between 64 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ideal pH range is 6.0-7.5, and the hardness should range from soft to moderately hard.

Fertilization requirement:

For proper and rapid growth of Amazon frogbit, you should add liquid fertilizer, especially after water changes.

The top of the leaves of this plant should always be kept dry, or else it will rot. As a result, you should exercise caution when performing weekly water changes.

You should also make sure that the water coming out of the filter does not sprinkle on the plant’s leaves.

4.Dwarf Sagittaria

Dwarf

Dwarf Sagittaria is a carpet plant that grows quickly. This plant is hardy and can endure a wide range of water parameters, making it ideal for beginners.

This plant spreads quickly and creates a carpet-like effect in your tank.

How much light does it need?

This plant’s growth rate will be determined by its distance from the light source. Because this plant is at the bottom of the tank, it needs a lot of light to grow quickly. This plant prefers moderate to strong lighting.

If you keep it under strong light for an extended duration, it may develop redness in its leaves.

For this plant, you should ideally use fluorescent lighting and provide at least 3 watts per gallon of light for proper growth.

What’s the best place to keep them in the tank?

Dwarf Sagittaria

Dwarf Sagittaria can reach a height of 12 inches and is used as a carpet plant. You can put it in the tank’s foreground.

Substrate requirement:

You should use an iron and CO2 rich substrate for Dwarf Sagittaria to grow quickly.

Fertilization requirements:

If you simply plant it in an iron and CO2 rich substrate, it does not add any extra fertilization for rapid growth.

Ideal water parameters:

The ideal water temperature for Dwarf Sagittaria growth is between 68 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pH should be 6 to 8, and the hardness should be 3 to 12 DH.

5.Java Moss

Java Moss

Java Moss is a very famous plant In the aquarium hobby. This plant is extremely simple to grow.

When it comes to water efficiency and lighting, it is a very low-maintenance plant. This plant is frequently used in aquascaping.

It is also very famous among breeders because it protects the fish’s eggs and fry.

How much light does it require?

This plant doesn’t need a lot of shade to grow. This plant is affected by lighting.

This plant will grow darker in color if it receives little light, and denser and more compact if it receives plenty of light.

The issue with high lighting is that it promotes algae growth. As a result, you should give this plant moderate to low light.

What’s the best place to keep this plant in the tank?

Java Moss 2

Java Moss is commonly used for aquascaping. Depending on the purpose, you can keep Java Moss in a variety of locations.

This plant can float in your tank or be tied to any ornament in your tank. It is also used as a carpet plant by some people.

Ideal water parameters:

Java moss can withstand a wide range of water conditions.

Java Moss prefers water temperatures ranging from 59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Its pH tolerance range is 5 to 8, and it performs well in soft acidic water.

Fertilization requirement:

This plant does not require fertilizer, but if you want it to grow quickly, you can insert some liquid fertilizer.

6.Marsilea Hirsuta

Marsilea Hirsuta

Marsilea hirsuta is a low-growing carpet plant. This plant is very simple to care for, making it ideal for beginners.

How much light does it require?

When it comes to lighting, Marsilea hirsuta is a very low-maintenance plant. It necessitates a low light of approximately 0.5 watts per liter.

However, if this plant receives very little light, it will lose its carpeting ability. If you keep this plant in high-intensity light, it will retain its carpeting effects and rapidly spread in your aquarium.

What’s the best place to keep this plant in the tank?

Marsilea Hirsuta 2

People keep Marsilea hirsuta in the foreground of their aquariums because of its carpeting nature.

Ideal water parameters:

Marsilea hirsuta can withstand a wide range of water conditions. The optimum temperature range for water is 60 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pH tolerance range is 5–7.5, and the hardness tolerance range is 1–20 DH.

Substrate requirements:

This plant does not require any special care when it comes to substrate and can grow in any environment.

Fertilization requirements:

Marsilea hirsuta does not need fertilization to grow. All you need to do is provide sufficient light, and everything will be fine.

If you have a freshwater shrimp in your aquarium, this is possibly the best plant for your tank because it provides a flat surface for the shrimp to stand on.

7.Water Wisteria

Water Wisteria

Water wisteria grows to be a tall plant that can also be used as a carpet plant.

This is a very hardy plant that can withstand a wide range of water parameters, making it ideal for newcomers. This is a very famous plant that can be found in most aquarium stores.

This plant is very easy to propagate, so you won’t need to buy many stems of it.

How much light does it require?

Water wisteria is a low-maintenance plant that can thrive in almost any lighting condition. Just make sure it’s not in the shade.

This plant requires 2-3 Watts per gallon of light.

What’s the best place to keep them in the tank?

Water Wisteria 2

Water wisteria can be used as a carpet plant or rooted in the substrate. It is usually kept in the aquarium’s background.

Ideal water parameters:

The ideal temperature for the proper growth of water wisteria is from 70 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pH tolerance range is 6.5 to 7.5 and the hardness tolerance range is 2-8 KH.

Substrate requirement:

Water wisteria should ideally be planted in a nutrient-rich plant substrate. However, it can also be planted in small grain gravel.

If you have a sand surface, attach it to any ornament or driftwood until its roots grow.

The size and rate of growth of this plant will vary depending on the substrate.

Fertilization requirements:

This plant can grow in almost any environment, but if you want it to grow faster, you can supplement it with fertilizer.

8.Micro Sword

Micro Sword

Micro sword is a short-stemmed plant that can reach a height of 3 inches. It can be used as a carpet plant.

If you feed this plant enough nutrients, it will grow into a thick carpet in your aquarium. Because of its high lighting and other requisites, this plant is a bit hard to grow.

If you have some understanding with aquatic plants, you should keep this plant in your aquarium.

Because large fish can harm this plant, you should keep it in a fish tank with small freshwater fish.

How much light does it require?

A micro sword needs a lot of light to grow properly. This plant requires at least 3 watts per gallon of lighting.

T5 or T8 fluorescent lights, as well as LED lights, can be used. Simply ensure that the light is direct. It can survive and prosper in the shade, but its growth rate will be slowed.

What’s the best place to keep this plant in the tank?

Micro Sword 3

Micro sword is an excellent carpet plant that can be used in the aquarium’s foreground.

Ideal water parameters:

Micro sword grows best at temperatures ranging from 70 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit. The optimal pH range is 6.8 to 7.5.

Substrate requirement:

Micro sword is a difficult plant to grow. As a result, for this plant, you should use a nutrient-rich substrate.

Fertilization requirements:

Fertilizers for micro salt should be added on a regular basis in addition to nutrient-rich material for this plant.

Nitrate phosphate and micronutrients should be included in the fertilizers.

It gets the majority of its nutrients from the substrate, so root tabs are ideal.

Tip:

If you want to accelerate the growth of this plant and achieve a thick carpet effect, you should supplement it with CO2.

9.Giant Hygro

Giant Hygro

The Temple plant is another name for giant hygro. This is a tough plant that can withstand a wide range of water conditions, making it ideal for beginners.

How much light does it require?

Giant hygro necessitates moderate lighting. It can grow very quickly if you give it at least 2 to 3 watts per gallon of light.

What’s the best place to keep this plant in the tank?

Giant hygro can grow to be quite tall, making it an excellent background plant.

Ideal water parameters:

Giant hygro can withstand a wide range of water conditions. Giant hygro prefers temperatures ranging from 72 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pH tolerance range is between 6 and 7.5, and the hardness tolerance range is between 3 and 8 KH. You should also keep it in a 10-gallon tank.

Substrate requirements:

Giant Hygro 3

Giant hygro can develop in any substrate, but fine gravel is preferred.

To plant Giant hygro in the substrate, simply lay it on the substrate and its stem will begin producing roots, which will naturally penetrate the substrate.

If you prefer, you can also plant the plant’s tip in the substrate.

Fertilization requirements:

Giant hygro can grow to be as tall as 24 inches and will needs a lot of nutrients to reach that height.

As a result, iron-rich fertilizers should be added to this plant, especially after water changes.

Fertilizers should also contain potassium, trace elements, and other nutrients.

Tip:

Giant hygro needs a lot of iron to grow properly; otherwise, its growth will be stunted.

As a result, you should continuously supplement it with iron-rich fertilizers.

10.Brazilian Pennywort

Brazilian Pennywort

Brazilian pennywort grows quickly and is one of the simplest plants to grow in an aquarium.

This plant is very low-maintenance, making it ideal for beginners.

How much light does it need?

Brazilian pennywort needs a lot of light to grow quickly.

If you provide it with adequate lighting, it can grow up to two inches per week.

What’s the best place to keep this plant in the tank?

Brazilian pennywort can be planted in the substrate or allowed to float in your aquarium.

If you decide on planting this plant in substrate, it makes an excellent mid or background plant.

Substrate requirement:

Brazilian Pennywort 1

Brazilian pennywort is a tough plant that requires little care.

It can be planted in any substrate and attached to driftwood or any other ornament in your aquarium.

Ideal water parameters:

Brazilian pennywort can withstand a wide range of water conditions. This plant prefers water temperatures ranging from 68 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ideal pH range is between 6.0 and 7.8.

Fertilization requirement:

Brazilian pennywort needs a lot of nitrogen to grow quickly. It obtains nitrogen naturally from fish poop and uneaten food.

However, if you recognize the leaves turning yellow, you should supplement it with nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and other fertilizers.

11.Anacharis

Anacharis

Anacharis is also identified as Brazilian waterweed, Egeria, and many other names. Anacharis is an excellent choice for beginners because it can endure a wide range of water parameters, including nutrients, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and pH.

Because this plant grows quickly, it can withstand nibble fish such as Goldfish.

How much light does it require?

Anacharis necessitates moderate lighting. You must provide at least 2 watts of light per gallon.

If it doesn’t get enough light, it can die easily; on the other hand, if you give it a lot of light, it can cause algae growth.

You should also avoid leaving your aquarium’s lights on for longer periods of time, as this can promote algae growth.

What’s the best place to keep this plant in the aquarium?

Anacharis 1

You can either grow this plant into the substrate of your aquarium or simply let it float in it. Anacharis is typically planted in the background of an aquarium.

Substrate requirement:

Anacharis can be planted in the substrate of your aquarium or simply allowed to float in it.

When you let it float in your aquarium, it typically develops faster because it receives more light than when it is planted inside. This plant can be grown in any medium.

However, if you have a nutrient-rich substrate, it can grow rapidly.

Fertilization requirement:

If you have a freezing water tank, you won’t need to add any fertilizers for anacharis to grow properly. If you have a tropical fish aquarium, you may need to supplement it with CO2-rich fertilizers.

Also, if you grow it in the substrate of your tropical fish aquarium, you’ll need to add some root tabs to help it grow quickly. These fertilizers should be applied after water changes.

Tip:

Anacharis is very effective at controlling and reducing algae growth because it absorbs all of the nutrients in the water, leaving no nutrients for algae growth.

It can also aid in water filtration by catching and holding debris floating around in the aquarium.

12.Duckweed

Duckweed

Duckweed is a low-maintenance floating plant that is ideal for beginners. Many aquarists consider this plant to be a pest, but if you keep it under control, that is, if you regulate its growth, it can provide a variety of benefits.

Duckweed can act as a water purifier as well as a source of nutrients. This plant grows rapidly, and if you don’t keep it under control, it will quickly take over the entire surface of your aquarium.

This can result in low oxygen levels and excessive sunlight in your aquarium. As a result, you should keep an eye on this plant at all times.

How much light does it require?

For this plant, you can use any artificial LED light.

What’s the best place to keep this plant in the time?

Duckweed 2

Because duckweed is a floating plant, you should allow it to float in your aquarium.

Ideal water parameters:

Duckweed can withstand a wide range of water conditions. This plant grows in temperatures ranging from 42 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pH tolerance range is between 5 and 9.

Fertilization requirement:

Duckweed does not require any fertilizer. It has the ability to grow on its own.

Tip:

Duckweed spreads rapidly and can rapidly cover the entire surface of your aquarium.

This can result in low oxygen levels and sunlight in your aquarium, so you must closely monitor its growth.

13.Aponogeton Crispus

Aponogeton Crispus

The plant Aponogeton Crispus is considered hardy. It does, however, require a lot of nutrients for growth, so you will have to provide them on a regular basis.

How much light does it require?

Aponogeton Crispus doesn’t need much light. It can grow in your aquarium if you provide 0.5 watts of light per litre.

What’s the best place to keep this plant in the tank?

Aponogeton Crispus can grow to be 9 to 10 inches tall, it is commonly used as a background plant.

Ideal water parameters:

Aponogeton Crispu

Aponogeton Crispus is a tough plant that can withstand a wide range of water conditions.

The optimal water temperature for this plant is between 64 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of less than 7.5.

Substrate requirement:

Aponogeton Crispus needs a lot of nutrients to grow properly. As a result, you should plant it in a nutrient-rich substrate.

Fertilization requirements:

Aponogeton Crispus needs a lot of nutrients to grow, so use liquid fertilizers to help it along.

Tip:

If you want Aponogeton Crispus to grow in your aquarium, provide it with nutrient-rich substrate, high-quality fertilizers, and CO2.

14.Green Foxtail

Green

Myrio green, myrio foxtail, and green foxtail are all names for green foxtail. This is an excellent fast-growing plant for beginners.

If you keep it in perfect condition, it can develop 2 inches every two weeks. It can also reach a height of 2 feet.

How much light does it require?

This plant does not necessitate a lot of light to grow quickly. However, if you provide it with very little lighting, its development will be very slow.

You should optimally provide it with moderate lighting of at least 2 watts per gallon and a broad range aquarium light for this plant.

What’s the best place to keep this plant in the tank?

Green foxtail can be planted in the substrate or allowed to float in your aquarium. If you grow it in substrate, keep it in the background of your aquarium.

Ideal water parameters:

Green Foxtail 1

Green foxtail grows best at temperatures ranging from 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH tolerance range is between 6.5 and 7.5, and the hardness tolerance range is between 3 and 8 KH.

Substrate requirement:

Green foxtail should optimally be grown in dirt, as this eliminates the need for any additional supplements. However, it can also be planted in a soil substrate.

Fertilization requirements:

If you grow Green foxtail in dirt, you won’t need to give it any supplements.

However, if you keep this plant in any other substrate, you should supplement it with CO2, iron, and potassium fertilizers.

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