Emergent vs. Submerged Aquatic Plants: Your Guide to Aquascaping

Among hobbyists, the question of whether emergent or submerged aquatic plants are better for aquascaping is a frequently debated topic.

Both aquarium plants have advantages, and both have their uses depending on what you want in your fish tank.

Emergent plants grow with their roots underwater and leaves emerging above the surface. They can add interesting layers to any aquarium and help improve its water quality.

Submerged plants, on the other hand, grow entirely underwater. They filter tank water and provide excellent hiding spots for fish. Your aquarium needs them to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

As you'll learn shortly, there are certain species that can grow in both water and air... sometimes at the same time!

 If you’re thinking about which plants to use, it really depends on your end goal.

For example, if you want an easy-to-maintain emergent setup, emergent plants like Water wisteria or Rotala are excellent choices. They will start and root underwater, and eventually change their leaf structure once they break into air.

For a lush, underwater garden, submerged plants like Guppy Grass, Dwarf Saggitaria, Jungle Val or hornwort are your best bet.

Let’s take a look closer at these two types:

Emergent Plants: Can grow out of water.

Emergent plants not only enhance visual appeal but also offer numerous practical benefits:

• Most are hardy and resistant to pests and diseases, making them perfect for beginners or low-maintenance setups.
• Get both aquatic and houseplants in one setup.
• Provide swim-throughs and breeding areas for fish.
• Offer resting platforms for some fish species.
• Add natural beauty with unique leaf shapes, flowers, and textures.
• Help filter water by absorbing nutrients.
• Provide comforting shade at the water surface for many fish.
• If densely planted, can reduce splashing and evaporation of open water.

Popular emergent plants:

• Stem plants like Rotala, Temple, Ludwigia, and Wisteria: Will change their leaf structure as they grow, flowering and providing excellent hiding spots for fish.
• Popular houseplants such as Pothos, Monstera, Zebrina, and Spider plant: Fast-growing plants that only need their roots in water, offering shade and protection.
• Arrowhead, Lucky Bamboo: Unique leaves and aid in oxygenation—very good for a healthier tank environment.
• Spreaders like Pearlweed and Brazilian Pennywort like to climb in and out of the tank, blurring the boundaries between dry land and water.

Submerged Plants: Underwater-only.

Not to be outdone, submerged plants also help create a thriving, balanced aquarium environment. They bring numerous benefits that contribute to the health and beauty of your tank.

Here at Glass Grown Aquatics, we believe live plants are a core part of a healthy ecosystem. We don't even leave them out of our fish and shrimp holding tanks in our facility. 

It's just one of the best things you can do for the health of your tank.

Advantages of using submerged plants include:

• Improving water quality by absorbing excess nutrients and filtering pollutants.
• Increasing oxygen levels in the water.
• Providing essential hidey holes and breeding grounds for fish and invertebrates.
• Better shrimp and fry survival because there are now more forage spaces available.
• You'll create a natural and visually appealing underwater landscape, more resilient and better able to 'take care of itself'.
• A submerged-only tank can be entirely contained underwater. Useful for tanks that need a lid to prevent evaporation, keep livestock contained, or a curious pet out.

Popular submerged plants:

• Java Fern, Bolbitis, Anubias, Cryptocoryne: Low-maintenance and versatile, perfect for beginners.
• Hornwort, Java moss, and Guppy Grass: Fast-growing and excellent for oxygenation.
• Anacharis, Moneywort, Lace Leaf Water Sprite: Easy to care for and helps reduce algae growth, keeping your tank clean.

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Needs

Tank size, lighting, and fish species play a factor when picking the right plants. The types we've suggested here are a great springboard for a beginner. These are widely available in the hobby, are easy to grow, and do not require much in the way of special fertilizers or tech.

You'll need to make sure your setup has room for the types of plants you select. Some plants will stay small or grow very slowly. Plants like buce, Anubias, Crypts and most ferns are great for Nano tanks. Other species can be trimmed to stay small. Plants like Swords will need more room than others. They also tend to be heavy root feeders, and so, will need extra root tab fertilizers to keep them healthy.

If your plant starts and roots underwater, but then tries to start pushing through to the surface, you can always snip and replant the cut sections in your substrate. Aquascapers regularly do this to maintain a neat, trimmed and bushy landscape.

Here are some interesting tank design choices for the two plant types:

Emergent Plant-Friendly Aquariums:

• Open-Top Tanks: Perfect for plants that grow above water.
• Paludariums: Combine aquatic and terrestrial environments.
• Biotope Aquariums: Replicate natural habitats, ideal for emergent plants.

Submerged Plant-Friendly Aquariums:

• Some types need more tech than others. Think: Dutch-style aquascapes, Iwagumi, Island: high- maintenance plants needing high lighting and CO2 injection.
• Easier scapes may be: Nature-Inspired, Biotopes, Jungle aquascapes: Use a mix of easy, submerged plants to create a natural underwater scene.

Versatility in your aquarium

As you've probably figured out, some plants, like certain species of Water Sprite, Java fern, Bucephalandra, Pearlweed, and Sword plants, can thrive in both submerged and emergent environments.

This list is in no way exhaustive!

We just suggested some of the most commonly- available, low-light, and easy plants on the market today.

Certainly research your intended plant for the kind of environment you are willing to provide. No sense in investing in something that will only die on you.

Many hobbyists choose a bit of both: some completely water- bound plants, and some species that will also grow up to crown the top of their aquarium.

As you can see, you can even place plain houseplant stems in the water to grow out a terrarium-like setup.

So, which type of plants do you think is perfect for your aquarium?