If you want easy, hardy aquarium plants that thrive without soil, gravel, or specialized substrate, you’re in luck. Many of the best beginner aquatic plants grow directly on wood, rocks, or even floating freely. These plants are perfect for bare-bottom tanks, shrimp tanks, low-tech setups, betta aquariums, and aquascapes where you want simple maintenance without complicated planting. In this guide, we highlight 12 beautiful, beginner-friendly aquarium plants that do not require substrate—and explain exactly how to use them.
Why Choose Plants That Don’t Need Substrate?
Substrate-free plants are ideal for beginners and low-maintenance tanks because they:
Grow easily in a variety of setups
Attach naturally to rocks and driftwood
Survive in bare-bottom aquariums
Thrive in low or medium light
Offer hiding places for shrimp and fry
Absorb nutrients directly from the water column
They are also excellent for hospital tanks, quarantine tanks, and tanks where you want easy cleaning.
How to Use Non-Substrate Plants
Most of these plants attach themselves to hard surfaces. You can use:
Super glue gel (aquarium-safe)
Fishing line or cotton thread
Plant weights
Never bury the rhizomes of plants like Anubias or Java fern—they will rot if covered by substrate.
12 Aquarium Plants That Don’t Need Substrate
1. Anubias (All Varieties)
Light: Low to medium
Growth Rate: Slow
Placement: Midground or attached to hardscape
Anubias is one of the easiest aquarium plants in the hobby. Its thick rhizome attaches easily to rocks or driftwood, and it tolerates low light and beginner mistakes. Popular varieties include Anubias Nana, Petite, Barteri, and Coffeefolia.
2. Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus)
Light: Low to medium
Growth Rate: Medium
Placement: Midground
A classic non-substrate plant. Java Fern grows best when attached to wood or rocks. It produces new plantlets on its leaves, which can be relocated easily.
3. Java Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
Light: Low
Growth Rate: Fast
Placement: Anywhere
One of the best plants for shrimp tanks and fry tanks. Java moss grows on any surface and forms thick mats that provide shelter and biofilm for invertebrates.
4. Bucephalandra (All Types)
Light: Low to medium
Growth Rate: Slow
Bucephalandra is a premium plant that grows best when glued or tied to rocks and driftwood. It also thrives in low-tech tanks and produces beautiful blue, green, red, or purple hues under good lighting.
5. Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
Light: Low to high
Growth Rate: Very fast
Hornwort is a floating or weighted plant that does not root. It is excellent at removing nitrates and preventing algae blooms. Perfect for goldfish tanks, guppy tanks, and breeding setups.
6. Water Sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides)
Light: Low to medium
Growth Rate: Fast
Water sprite can be floated or anchored using plant weights. As a floating plant, it grows extremely fast and provides excellent shade and shelter.
7. Amazon Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)
Light: Medium
Growth Rate: Fast
A stunning floating plant with large round leaves and long trailing roots. Frogbit is ideal for bettas, gouramis, and shrimp tanks. It absorbs nitrates and keeps algae under control by shading the tank.
8. Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans)
Light: Medium to high
Growth Rate: Medium
This floating plant turns red under strong lighting and creates beautiful surface coverage. Great for planted tanks and blackwater setups.
9. Salvinia (Salvinia minima)
Light: Low to medium
Growth Rate: Medium
A beginner-friendly floating fern that grows quickly without taking over like duckweed. It is easy to remove, making maintenance simple.
10. Anacharis / Elodea (Egeria densa)
Light: Low to medium
Growth Rate: Fast
This stem plant can be rooted or left floating. It grows rapidly, oxygenates the tank, and helps clear nitrate levels. Popular in goldfish tanks and coldwater setups.
11. Marimo Moss Balls (Aegagropila linnaei)
Light: Low
Growth Rate: Very slow
Despite their name, marimo are not moss—they’re a form of algae shaped into soft green spheres. They require almost no care and make excellent foreground decorations.
12. Riccia Fluitans (Floating Crystalwort)
Light: Medium to high
Growth Rate: Medium
Riccia is a versatile floating plant that can also be tied to wood or stones. In high light, it forms vibrant green cushions used in many aquascapes.
Which Non-Substrate Plants Are Best for Beginners?
If you want the easiest possible plants, choose:
Java Moss
Anubias Nana
Java Fern
Hornwort
Frogbit
These plants survive low light, low nutrients, and inconsistent care.
Tank Types Where These Plants Excel
Bare-bottom breeding tanks: For guppies, bettas, and egg scatterers
Shrimp tanks: Moss and Buce provide surfaces for biofilm
Betta tanks: Frogbit and floating plants calm surface activity
Hospital tanks: Plants provide oxygen without substrate
Goldfish may eat or uproot some plants (Hornwort works well)
Some plants grow fast—remove excess to maintain oxygen levels
Low-nutrient tanks may require occasional liquid fertilizer
Most do well without CO₂ injection, but will grow faster with it
Common Beginner Mistakes
Burying rhizomes (kills Anubias and Java Fern)
Using strong filter flow (disturbs floating plants)
Letting Frogbit roots tangle in filter intakes
Leaving dead plant matter in the tank (causes ammonia spikes)
Assuming “no substrate” means “no nutrients” — plants still need feeding
Takeaway: Substrate-Free Plants Make Aquariums Easy
If you want a low-maintenance, beginner-friendly aquarium, these 12 plants are some of the best choices. They grow without soil or gravel, thrive in simple setups, and offer excellent biological benefits by absorbing waste and providing natural shelter. Choose one or several to create a beautiful, easy-to-care-for planted aquarium—no substrate required.
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