The right aquarium plants can not only make an Axolotl tank prettier, but provide hiding places and shade for the Axolotl. However, which plants are best for an Axolotl tank?
In an axolotl tank, conditions are not good for many tropical aquarium plants, as the axolotl prefers rather cold water and little lighting. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the selected plants can grow in such an environment. This is because rotting plant material from dead plants forms ammonia and thus deteriorates the water quality.
Ideal are robust plants or plants that float on the water surface and can thus provide shade for the axolotl.
Do axolotls need plants in their tanks?
Even though axolotls do not urgently need plants in their aquarium, they help to simulate the natural habitat of axolotls, since Lake Xochimilco, where axolotls are native, also has many plants.
Plants can be a nice addition to an axolotl tank for more than just decoration; through photosynthesis, they provide oxygen-rich water and support the nitrogen cycle. They also keep the water clean, as they require waste materials from the Axolotl, such as nitrates for their growth, and many beneficial bacteria live on their leaves.
Additionally, the plants can serve as hiding places and groundcover plants can be a soft ground for the Axolotl.
Do axolotls eat plants?
Even though Axolotls are carnivores, they will nibble on an aquatic plant or two, or swallow an entire piece right away if there is a treat on the plant such as a snail or shrimp.
Therefore it is important to make sure that the plants in the tank are not poisonous for the axolotl and that it can eat a piece of it without any problems.
What kind of plants are best for an axolotl tank?
- Light requirements
Since Axolotls are not a fan of bright lighting, you should only choose plants that grow well in dim light.
- Water temperatures
Plants suitable for an Axolotl tank must be able to handle colder temperatures, as the ideal water temperature for Axolotls is between 53 and 68°F (12 and 20°C). Many typical aquarium plants come from tropical waters and require much higher temperatures.
- Hardiness
Plants for an Axolotl tank should be robust, as sooner or later they will be nibbled on by the Axolotl, in addition to the cool water temperatures and poor light conditions, sensitive plants would quickly die.
Top 14 aquatic plants for your Axolotl aquarium.
Here follow the 14 Best Aquarium Plants for Axolotl, all are hardy plans that can handle the cool water temperatures and low lighting in an Axolotl tank. Also, there is no danger of your Axolotl poisoning itself if it nibbles on the plants.
1. Java fern
| Scientific name | Microsorum pteropus |
| Light | shady to semi-shady |
| Temperature | 64 to 77°F (18 to 25 °C) |
| Height | 5 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) |
| Hardiness | easy to care for and robust |
Java fern* is one of the most popular aquarium plants and with its long narrow leaves is a beautiful addition to an Axolotl tank.
Java fern is a perching plant and thrives well tied up on roots or rocks. It will still grow in low light conditions and is generally a very hardy plant. Javafarn reproduces via rhizomes, which should not be planted in the ground, but attached to roots or stones.
Because of its size and slow growth, java fern works well as a background or midground plant.
Why is java fern a good plant for an axolotl tank?
Java fern is an ideal plant for an Axolotl tank as it copes well with cool water temperatures and low light. The plant provides a good hiding place and its leaves are soft, so there is no risk of injury to the Axolotl. There is also no danger of poisoning, as the plant is not toxic to the Axolotl.
In addition, the robust plant does not require fertilizer and substrate, as you can attach it to wood or stones as a perching plant.
2. Anubias
| Scientific name | Anubias |
| Light | bright to shady |
| Temperature | 53 to 86°F (12 to 30 °C) |
| Height | 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) |
| Hardiness | very undemanding |
Anubias* are like Java fern an ideal plant for an Axolotl tank. It is a perching plant, but can also be planted in substrate. Anubias can be easily propagated by cutting off a rhizome, a slightly thicker piece of root that already has a few leaves, and attaching it to another piece of wood. Because of their slow growth, Anubias are good for the middle or background in the aquarium.
Why is an Anubias a good choice for an Axolotl aquarium?
Anubias is comfortable in cool water temperatures and low light in the aquarium, it is a very hardy and undemanding plant. The broad, dark green leaves are not poisonous to the Axolotl, but they contain a bitter substances that will quickly make the Axolotl lose its taste for Anubias.
As a perching plant like the Java fern, the plant also does not need a substrate and can easily grow attached to wood or stones.
3. Vallisneria
| Scientific name | Vallisneria |
| Light | bright to shady |
| Temperature | 64 to 82°F (18 to 28 °C) |
| Height | 2 to 20 inches (5 to 50 cm) (depending on species) |
| Hardiness | easy to care for |
Vallisneria*, is a plant with slender, slightly twisted leaves that is also suitable for axolotl tanks due to its easy care. There are about 17 different species of Vallisneria that are cultivated in aquariums and all have slightly different requirements. What they all have in common, however, is that the plants grow quickly and can handle both cool water and less light.
Why are Vallisneria a good plant for an Axolotl tank?
Vallisneria’s uncomplicated water temperature requirements and light needs make it a good choice for an Axolotl tank. Also, the plant is not toxic if the axolotl ever takes a bite.
4. Lilaeopsis
| Scientific name | Lilaeopsis |
| Light | bright to shady |
| Temperature | 59 to 79°F (15 to 26 °C) |
| Height | 1 to 5 inches (3 to 13 cm) |
| Hardiness | low demands |
Lilaeopsis* is a ground-covering plant that forms a grass-like “lawn” in aquariums and grows rather slowly. On sale are mainly two species Lilaeopsis brasiliensis and Lilaeopsis mauritiana, L. brasiliensis grows up to 3 inches (7 cm) tall, while L. mauritiana grows up to 5 inches (13 cm) tall. Both species need a relatively high amount of light, therefore they should be planted in the tank in a place that is not too shady.
Lilaeopsis reproduces by branching rhizomes and is well suited for the foreground or middle of the aquarium.
Why are Lilaeopsis a good choice for an axolotl aquarium?
Lilaeopsis is well suited for an axolotl tank because it is a relatively undemanding plant that forms a soft grass-like “lawn” and is not toxic to the axolotl.
5. Marimo moss balls
| Scientific name | Aegagropila linnaei |
| Light | shady |
| Temperature | 40 to 82°F (4 to 28 °C) |
| Height | 1 to 5 inches (3 to 12 cm) |
| Hardiness | undemanding |
Marimo moss balls* are actually no plants at all, but threadlike freshwater algae that have been formed into a sphere. In their natural habitat, the round shape is created by wave movements. In the aquarium they can simply float freely on the substrate and do not take root. To keep their round shape it helps to turn them regularly. Marimo moss balls are very undemanding and slow growing algae.
Why are Marimo moss balls a good plant for an Axolotl tank?
Marimo moss balls are great for an axolotl tank because they are low maintenance and undemanding. In addition, they do not require much light and have no problems with the water temperatures in the Axolotl tank. Due to the fact that the algae do not have roots, it is not necessary to have a substrate in the aquarium.
Also, a biofilm forms on the moss balls with beneficial bacteria that break down waste products such as ammonium and nitrite, thus contributing to the water quality of the aquarium.
However, you should make sure that the moss balls are larger than the Axolotl’s head so that it does not try to eat them. Even if the algae are not poisonous, they can cause problems for the Axolotl. If the balls are small enough for him to swallow, they can cause digestive problems or he could choke on them.
6. Hornwort
| Scientific name | Ceratophyllum demersum |
| Light | bright to semi-shade |
| Temperature | 33 to 82°F (1 to 28 °C) |
| Height | 20 to 40 inches (50 to 100 cm) |
| Hardiness | undemanding and robust |
Hornwort* is a robust and undemanding plant that does not form roots and floats through the tank. It grows quite fast, especially if the plant gets a lot of light and the water is a bit warmer. However, it also grows in darker and cooler conditions that axolotls prefer.
Because of its size, it makes a good middle or background plant by tying the plant down or just letting it float freely through the aquarium.
Why is Hornwort a good choice for an Axolotl tank?
As a plant that is particularly good at filtering ammonia and nitrates from the water, ensuring good water quality, hornwort is a good plant for axolotl tanks.
The plant parts are all soft and non-toxic, so there is no danger of the Axolotl injuring itself. The plant also provides shade when left to float freely in the aquarium.
7. Waterweeds (Elodea)
| Scientific name | Elodea |
| Light | semi-shade to shade |
| Temperature | 39 to 82°F (4 to 28 °C) |
| Height | up to 40 inches or more (1 m) |
| Hardiness | low requirements |
Waterweeds* is a typical cold water plant, prolonged water temperatures above 82°F (28 °C) are too warm for it. This makes it an ideal aquatic plant for an Axolotl tank. The plant can grow up to 40 inches long, therefore it should be cut back regularly to the desired length. The cut stems can be easily planted in the substrate if you want to propagate the waterweed.
Why is waterweed a good plant for an Axolotl aquarium?
Waterweed is a good choice for an axolotl tank not only because of its temperature preferences, but also because it reduces the growth of algae. It pulls so many nutrients from the water that most algae species lack the foundation to grown on.
It also forms a carpet on the water surface if not cut back, providing shade and a good hiding place for the axolotl.
8. Salvinia Natans (Floating Fern)
| Scientific name | Salvinia natans |
| Light | bright to semi-shade |
| Temperature | 54 to 86 °F (12 to 30 °C) |
| Height | up to 2 inches (3 cm); width: up to 4 inches (10 cm) |
| Hardiness | low demands |
The Salvinia Natans*, also called “Floating Fern” is a free-floating plant that drifts on the water surface and has elliptically shaped leaves with water-repellent hairs. The roots of the plant are not anchored in the substrate and it requires plenty of light and nutrients. If the plant gets enough light and nutrients, it will grow relatively fast.
Why is the Salvinia Natans a good choice for an axolotl tank?
The Floating Fern is comfortable with the temperatures in an Axolotl tank and can provide shade for the Axolotl. Because the Salvinia Natans is a free-floating plant, no substrate is needed in the aquarium. Also, the high nutrient requirement of the plant helps to improve the water quality in the aquarium.
9. Water Lettuce
| Scientific name | Pistia |
| Light | light to semi-shade |
| Temperature | 68 to 80 °F (20 to 27 °C) |
| Height | leaves 1 to 2 inches long (4 to 5 cm) |
| Hardiness | easy to care for |
Water lettuce* is a floating plant, with free-floating roots. The leaves are covered with water-repellent hairs, giving them a velvety appearance. Water lettuce has high nutrient requirements and is simple to care for as only the dead yellow leaves need to be removed.
Why is water lettuce a good plant for an axolotl tank?
Although the water lettuce originally comes from tropical and subtropical areas, it is also suitable for aquariums with cooler water conditions, the temperatures should only not be permanently below 60 °F (15 °C).
The large leaves provide shade for the axolotl, and since the roots of the plant float freely, no substrate is needed. Thanks to the high nutrient needs of the plant, it cleans the aquarium from waste materials.
10. South American frogbite
| Scientific name | Limnobium laevigatum |
| Light | semi-shade |
| Temperature | 40 to 95 °F (4 to 35 °C) |
| Height | 0,5 to 2 inches (1 to 5 cm) |
| Hardiness | undemanding |
Another floating plant that is well suited for axolotl is the South American frogbite*, also called Amazon frogbite or small frogbite. The plant has smooth, round leaves and long offshoots. The frogbit grows very quickly and reproduces by runners.
Why is South American frogbit a good choice for an axolotl aquarium?
The South American Frogbite likes partial shade and has no problem with cooler temperatures. By floating on the surface of the water, it can provide shade for the axolotl and it does not require a substrate to grow. It is also generally a hardy plant that is easy to care for.
11. Duckweed
| Scientific name | Lemna |
| Light | semi-shade |
| Temperature | 33 to 90 °F (1 to 32 °C) |
| Height | 0,1 to 0,4 inches (0,3 to 1 cm) |
| Hardiness | very undemanding and robust |
Duckweed* is a native floating plant consisting of a few small leaves and a free-floating root. You probably know duckweed from ponds, where it is often called water lentils, or water lenses. The most common is the Common Duckweed. The leaves have a cavity filled with air, which gives the plant its buoyancy.
In good conditions duckweed multiplies very quickly, so you should regularly remove a part of it so that the growth does not get out of hand.
Why are duckweeds a good plant for an axolotl tank?
Duckweeds make a good hiding place and dim the tank if they occupy enough water surface. They are one of the most hardy plant species and will continue to grow even under less than ideal conditions.
Duckweeds not only provide better water quality because of their high nutrient requirements, they can actually bind pollutants and reduce algae growth.
12. Java moss
| Scientific name | Taxiphyllum barbieri |
| Light | semi-shade to shade |
| Temperature | 52 to 92 °F (12 to 34 °C) |
| Height | 0,4 to 1 inches (1 to 2 cm) |
| Hardiness | undemanding |
Java moss* is one of the most popular aquarium mosses as it tolerates a wide range of water temperatures and is generally undemanding. The moss grows well as a perching plant attached to wood or spread over the substrate as a Java moss carpet. It is easily propagated by dividing the moss, although it grows rather slowly.
Java moss is suitable for the foreground and background and enriches the water with oxygen.
Why is Java moss a good choice for an Axolotl tank?
Java moss has no problems with the light and temperature conditions in an axolotl tank, and as a hardy plant, this makes it a good choice for an axolotl tank. It filters the water and is not toxic to the axolotl if it ever takes a bite.
13. Flame moss
| Scientific name | Taxiphyllum sp. |
| Light | semi-shade |
| Temperature | 60 to 86 °F (15 to 30 °C) |
| Height | 1 to 4 inches (3 to 10 cm) |
| Hardiness | undemanding and robust |
The Flame moss* resembles green flames due to its special growth pattern. It is an as yet undefined Taxiphyllum species and originates from Southeast Asia. It can be planted in substrate or grown as a perching plant tied to wood. In general, it grows rather slowly and is a hardy and undemanding moss species.
Why is flame moss a good plant for an Axolotl tank?
As a robust and uncomplicated moss species, flame moss is well suited for an axolotl tank. It also has no problem with the light and temperature conditions.
Other moss species are also suitable for an Axolotl aquarium, such as Vesicularia “Christmas Moss” or the submerged star moss. Both have pretty growth patterns and will also grow in the conditions that exist in an Axolotl aquarium.
14. Common Swamp Weed (Hygrophila)
| Scientific name | Hygrophila pinnatifida |
| Light | bright to shady |
| Temperature | 64 to 82 °F (18 to 28 °C) |
| Height | 2 to 16 inches (5 to 40 cm) |
| Hardiness | medium |
The Hygrophila* is a perching plant, which has been in aquariums only since 2010 and originates from India. Due to its very decorative leaf shape, reminiscent of a fern, the plant has quickly found its way into various aquaristic stores. The plant can be tied to roots or stones and reproduces via offshoots.
Due to its special leaves, the Common Swamp Weed is suitable for both the foreground and background in the aquarium.
Why is the Common Swamp Weed a good choice for an Axolotl tank?
Hygrophila copes well with the temperatures in an axolotl tank. However, it grows more slowly in lower light and cooler conditions.
As a perching plant, it does not require substrate and makes a good hiding place.
Before adding a new plant to your Axolotl tank, they should at least be rinsed with water, and ideally watered for a few days beforehand, so that all residues of fertilizer are flushed out. You should also make sure not to place plants directly at the edge of the aquarium, as the Axolotl likes to swim its rounds there.
Conclusion
For Axolotl tanks, there is a wide selection of cold water plants that will cope well with the conditions.
For the Axolotl, plants provide a natural environment and offer hiding places and shade. Also, plants help improve the water quality in the aquarium and enrich it with oxygen.
And as long as you make sure that the plants are not poisonous and cannot hurt the axolotl, there is nothing standing in the way of a beautiful planted axolotl aquarium.
Here is an article with the best substrate options for axolotls and which ones can even be fatal.