Acceptable Plants for Bettas – Common Aquarium Questions

Hi Tammy, thanks for the comment.

The Airplane Plant should be fine, the roots will grow into the water, just be sure that any dead leaves are trimmed from the plant and that the plants are not too far into the water, just the tips of the roots. Good luck!

Bettas will survive in temps from the mid 60′s to the upper 80′s, but the ideal temps are mid to upper 70′s (74-79). They will be less active in a cooler environment, and it may also effect their ability to ward off disease. A warmer climate will keep the fish happier and more active, and an active betta likes to show off those pretty fins! You may not have to supply a heat source, just keep them in a warmer room in your house and away from drafty areas like windows.

Thanks for your question. The aloe plant is a succulent plant not adapted to the all-aquatic environment of most betta setups. It is unlikely the plant would survive.

If you bought an umbrella palm, Cyperus alternifolius, it should be safe for the betta, but may not do too well as it is a high light plant and will need full sun to thrive.

Live plants can help with keeping the water a little cleaner by processing some of the nutrients, but the lucky “bamboo”, though it can be used will do a minimal job. Depending on the type of cleaning you’re looking to reduce, the addition of the plant and it’s results may be disappointing. You may still get algae growth depending on how much you feed, where the container is located, temperature, and how frequently the bowl is cleaned. If your water is cloudy you may be over feeding. The plant in any case may help a little with nitrates, and they do tend to add to the aesthetic of the set-up.

You can use any small or bunched aquatic plant, as long as it has sufficient light and nutrients it should be fine. I am assuming by money plant you are referring to moneywort, Bacopa monieri. You’ll for many bunched plants you’ll need at least 2 watts per gallon of full spectrum light. Some plants like java moss, java fern and hornwort are a little more forgiving and can take less light and may be easier to provide for.

Shouldn’t be toxic to the fish, but it will need high light and indoors they are prone to spider mites.

I’ve kept them with water sprites before, they look very pretty (especially the floating type) Eleocharis should be fine too, they start out emersed , the tips may eventually grow above the surface depending on the set-up you have.

Hi Lily,

If you’re looking for plants for in the bowl, try java fern, java moss, anacharis or hornwort…these are all lower light and will handle cooler temps. Only the Java Fern will need to be planted, the rest can float. Anubias could also work. If you’re looking for plants for the top of the container or to come out of the water, Brazil swords (peace lilies), philodendron cuttings, or arrowheads (syngonium) may work for you…let me know if you need any other suggestions.

Hi Robbie, Spider plants should do fine in a vase-opening application, offshoots with roots already growing can be anchored in the to p of the vase and the roots should grow into the water. Spider plants cannot be submerged though, and only the root tips should be in the water or the base of the leaves will eventually rot.

Hi Justin, as long as the tank isn’t in direct sun the temperature shouldn’t become too high. The plants may benefit from the additional light, but keep an eye on the tank as the spectrum of the light through the window may increase algae growth.

Aquatic aponogeton should not harm the betta as long as any dead leaves are removed before they decay and pollute the water. Other good candidates include hornwort, anubias and crypts. Male bettas should be housed alone as they can be aggressive towards other fish, be nipped by other fish, and may eat small shrimp after they molt. Larger shrimp may be ook to house with bettas, but they may also attempt to catch and eat a betta depending on the type you purchase. A snail can be housed with a betta, but there has to be enough algae to sustain him.

Should be fine, just make sure only the root tips are in the water, otherwise the crown of the plant will rot and fall apart.

Bettas are pretty laid back and lazy. They tend to perk up when something stimulates them (feeding time, bright colors outside the bowl, ect) but generally their graceful fins are relaxed and they tend to hover still or lay on the floor of the bowl. You’ll hear/read ditterent things on the size tank required for bettas. They aren’t active fish and since they should be housed alone, a smaller enclosure like the cube habitats are fine. You can always use a larger enclosure, but most of the space will generally go un used unless you plan on breeding and raising fry. Most fish are ruled by the bigger tank the better mentality, but bettas and other small labyrinth fish can live long, healthy lives in well-maintained small enclosures.