Creating a lush and captivating underwater world in your aquarium can be a rewarding and visually appealing endeavor.
While many aquarists rely on established aquatic plants, there is a growing interest in starting from scratch by growing aquarium plant seeds. Not only does this method offer a cost-effective alternative, but it also allows you to explore a wider variety of plant species and exercise greater control over your aquatic ecosystem.
In this article we provide you a comprehensive guide to growing aquarium plant seeds. Discover the secrets to cultivating thriving underwater greenery and transform your aquarium into a mesmerizing aquatic paradise.
Planting Aquarium seeds is as equally fun and mesmerizing like growing a plant. But to grow the seeds in a proper way and for the plant to thrive later on, you need to do it the correct way. Now lets go over the guide on how to grow aquarium seeds.
You can grow your aquarium plant seeds within your aquarium, or you can grow it out of your aquarium and then add it later when it is grown. The easier way to do it is to grow it out of your aquarium and then adding it to your tank later.
Growing aquarium plant from seeds out of aquarium
Letting your aquarium plant seeds grow outside of your aquarium is how most people do it. It is easier and as simple as growing any other plant. Now let’s move on with the steps.
1. Get your seeds
Before everything, you need to get your aquarium seeds. Go through the various aquarium plants and see which one you like and which is compatible with your tank conditions.
Don’t just go to an aquarium with one plant in mind, and seek advice from other aquarium owners.
Once you’ve made up your mind, go to an aquarium store and purchase seeds. You should keep the seeds in clean water until you plant them.
Here are some of the fastest growing aquarium plants for your fish tank:
- Waterweed
- Duckweed
- Amazon Sword
- Pygmi Chain Sword Plant
- Dwarf Ambulia
You can buy the plant seeds directly from any nearby local aquarium store, or you can also get it from Amazon.com
2. Put together a container with soil
After getting your seeds, you need to set up soil for them to grow in. For this, you can use a container that you think will be perfect and then drill holes at the bottom of the container.
Next, you need to add soil. You can go out and gather garden soil, then add it to the container. You should keep the soil moist at all times, therefore, place the container in another container with water. The water will go through the holes drilled at the bottom.
Instead of garden soil, you can use peat moss and potting media as well. Just make sure the soil is perfect for the seeds.
3. Sow the seeds in the soil
Once you’ve got the container ready, it’s time to get the seeds in the soil and let them grow. Get your seeds of the water and sow them in the soil. Don’t put them too deep inside and a little push is enough. After sowing all that is left is to wait.
4. Wait for a few days
After you’re done sowing the seeds in the soil, you need to wait for the seed to germinate. It will take about 10 to 15 days for the seedlings to grow. Take care of the pot and see whether it needs water till healthy seedling sprouts.
5. Move the seedlings to your aquarium
Once you see seedlings of about 2 to 3 inches, it’s time to get them to their new home. Before adding them to your tank make sure to feed your fish for they might munch on them. Moreover, you need to be extremely careful while moving them to your tank as they are highly sensitive.
Ensure that they are rooted properly and they don’t have any kind of damage inflicted on the seedlings.
Growing aquarium seeds in the aquarium
While you are preparing a new tank and you want plants in them, you can grow the plant directly in the tank.
Prepare the new tank
Bring in your new tank and do not add any water to it yet. Get yourself a substrate that is good for planting aquarium seeds and the seeds won’t have any problem growing. You can get aquarium soil from any aquarium store or you can purchase it online.
Add the substrate
As you get your substrate, add the substrate to your new and empty tank. Add the amount you think will be enough for the seeds to grow in and germinate.
Here are some of the recommended substrate for your Fish Tank from Amazon.
- Aqueon Plant and Shrimp Aquarium Substrate 5 Pounds,Brown
- Seachem Fluorite Black Sand Substrate, 7.7lb
- Aqua Natural Galaxy Sand Bio-Substrate 5lb
- Seachem Flourite Black Clay Gravel
Sow the seeds in the substrate
When the substrate is ready and done, it is time to sow the seeds in them. Get the seeds in the substrate and then spray some water in them. Then wait till the seeds germinate and the seedlings appear.
Add water to the aquarium
You need to wait till the seedlings grow about 3 inches tall to add water to your tank. Once the plant has grown to a suitable height, you can add the water slowly. Although at first do not submerge the plant fully in the water.
Let the plant sit in the water for some time for the plant needs to get used to it. After some time, you can add more water to the tank. You can also add your fish and other item to your tank.
After this, you can watch the plant grow in your aquarium. Plants not only provide aesthetic pleasure to the tank, but they also take in excess nutrients in the tank, provide oxygen to the fish, and many more. Therefore, having plants in an aquarium is not a loss at all, but you need to take care of them for them to provide benefits.
Do aquatic plants have seeds?
Aquatic plants do have seeds. You can get the seeds for your aquarium from an aquarium store or online. But when it comes to carpeting plants, you should use propagation rather than seeds.
The carpeting plant seeds you get online are not reliable and will make your aquarium hideous. Instead of carpeting plants, the seeds are of some kind of weed that cannot survive in water for long.
Therefore after growing and being green for some days, the plant dies off leaving behind a mess.
Conclusion
Growing aquarium plant seeds opens up a world of possibilities for aquarists seeking to create a vibrant and personalized underwater oasis. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored the step-by-step process of germinating and nurturing these tiny seeds into thriving aquatic plants.
Remember, patience is key when it comes to cultivating aquarium plant seeds. It may take time for the seeds to germinate and develop into healthy plants, but the rewards are well worth the wait.
