Red Root Floaters (Phyllanthus fluitans) cup portion for blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
Salvinia Oblongifolia in a betta fish tank by Betta Botanicals, giant water spangles, giant salvinia.
A portion cup of Salvinia minima, an aquatic floating plant used in low-tech blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
An Amazon Sword Plant potted for use in blackwater planted aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
A Dwarf Aquarium Lily potted for use in blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
Giant Water Lettuce by Betta Botanicals, for fish tanks, aquariums, and blackwater biotope aquariums.

Giant Water Lettuce

$7.00
A Vallisneria spiralis plant in a plastic pot for blackwater aquariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.
Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus) in pot with green wavy leaves, photographed on a natural background for blackwater aquarium use at Betta Botanicals.

Java Fern | Microsorum pteropus

From $6.99
Duckweed | Lemna minor or Spirodela polyrhiza
Aquarium gift card by Betta Botanicals, for betta fish tanks, botanical aquariums, and blackwater aquariums.

Betta Botanicals Gift Cards

From $25.00
Red Tiger Lotus aquatic plant in pot with broad reddish leaves, photographed on a natural background for blackwater aquarium use at Betta Botanicals.

Red Tiger Lotus | Nymphaea zenkeri

From $5.99
Cryptocoryne Spiralis

Cryptocoryne Spiralis

$6.00
Pearlweed carpet (Hemianthus micranthemoides) in a black plastic pot, photographed on a natural background for blackwater aquariums at Betta Botanicals.
Azolla Caroliniana

Azolla Caroliniana

$6.99
Java Moss portion commonly used in Southeast Asian-inspired blackwater aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Java Moss | Vesicularia dubyana

From $8.00
An Anubias Barteri plant potted for use in blackwater planted aquariums, photographed against a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Anubias Barteri

From $8.99
A Giant Hairgrass plant potted for use in blackwater aquariums, photographed against a white 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.