A Green Rotala (Rotala rotundifolia) stem bundle prepared for use in blackwater planted aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Rotala rotundifolia 'Green'

$5.00
A Baby Tears plant potted for use in blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
An Anubias Nana Golden Plant potted for use in blackwater planted aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Anubias Nana Golden

From $9.99
Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green potted for use in blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
A Banana Plant (Nymphoides aquatica) photographed against a natural background for use in blackwater aquariums at Betta Botanicals.
An Anubias Coffeefolia plant potted for use in blackwater planted aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Anubias Coffeefolia

From $10.00
Bolbitis heudelotii Narrow Leaf | African Water Fern
A bare-root portion of bolbitis heteroclita broad leaf for blackwater aquariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Bolbitis heteroclita

$7.99
A Red Flame Sword (Echinodorus) plant prepared for use in blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
A Weeping Moss plant in a culture cup for low-tech blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
A Red Ozelot Sword (Echinodorus) plant prepared for use in blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
Anubias Nana plant potted for use in blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Anubias Nana

From $9.99
A Bucephalandra ‘Red Central’ plant prepared for blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Bucephalandra Red Central

$10.00
A Christmas Moss plant portion prepared for use in low-tech blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
Vallisneria americana plant in a pot for use in blackwater aquariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
An Aeschynomene fluitans plant prepared for use in backyard ponds or paludariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
A Taiwan Moss clump grown for biotope aquariums, displayed in a clear culture cup and photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Botanical Method, Blackwater, and Biotope Aquarium Plants

In the Botanical Method Aquarium, plants play a vital role. The species we’ve selected are tint-tolerant plants, adapted to thrive in low light and acidic conditions of blackwaters.

Resilient choices such as Anubias, Bucephalandra, Java Fern, Cryptocoryne, and Amazon Swords root into substrates or attach to wood and stone, where detritus and biofilms collect. Their leaves provide cover for fish, their roots oxygenate the substrate, and their steady growth creates foraging zones for shrimp and microfauna.

For aquarists keeping Betta fish, Apistogramma, and other community fish, these plants help recreate the forest streams and shaded tributaries where many of these fish evolved. They are not fast growers, but ideal aquarium plants for the long-term rhythms of a blackwater ecosystem—settling in slowly and rewarding patience with stability.