The 12 Best Plants For A Turtle Tank

Reviews

Java Moss

• Growth rate: Fast
• Max height: 5 inches
• Light demands: Low
• CO2: Low
• Difficulty: Easy

The readily accessible and inexpensive plant Java Moss performs numerous functions in your turtle’s aquarium. This little plant can accomplish anything. Java Moss has a low light need and may adhere to rocks and other hard surfaces.

It’s an important food source since turtles enjoy eating it. Java Moss also aids with water purification. It offers the aquarium a pond-like appearance, which your turtle will like.

Pros

• Simple maintenance
• Serves as nourishment for turtles
• Able to serve as a water filter

Cons

• Very fast expansion

 

Hornwort

• Growth rate: Fast
• Max height: 10 feet
• Light demands: Moderate
• CO2: Low
• Difficulty: Easy

Hornwort is a favorite plant with turtles and grows quite quickly. It may either float or be secured to the tank’s bottom. One reason hornwort is so popular is that it requires little maintenance. Aside from adding a plant light to your aquarium, a little more is required to maintain it. It also filters the water in your turtle’s aquarium effectively. However, it is not a favorite food of turtles.

Pros

• Rapid growth
• Affordable
• Little maintenance required

Cons

• Messy
• Not turtle diet

 

Aquatic Water Fern

• Growth rate: Slow
• Max height: 22 inches
• Light demands: Low
• CO2: Moderate
• Difficulty: Moderate

African water ferns have dark green leaves that are scalloped or forked. They may grow up to 22 inches in length and require minimal light. The African water fern grows quite slowly. It may adhere to any solid surface in your aquarium.

They thrive on your turtle’s waste and may survive for a very long time with little work from you. These leaves are not often favored by turtles, so you need not worry about the slow development.

Pros

• Require little care
• Attractive

Cons

• Slow growth
• Want CO2
• Not turtle diet

 

Water Lettuce

• Growth rate: Fast
• Max height: 10 inches
• Light demands: High
• CO2: Low
• Difficulty: Low

Growing water lettuce requires plenty of light. However, it can be of great use to your aquarium. The plants’ hanging roots aid in filtering and purifying the water. Turtles also like hiding beneath the roots. The crisp leaves of water lettuce make it an appetizing treat for turtles.

Pros

• Multi-use
• Algae control
• Turtle diet

Cons

• Needs pruning
• High light requirement

 

Anacharis

• Growth rate: Fast
• Max height: 3 feet
• Light demands: Moderate
• CO2: Low
• Difficulty: Easy

Anacharis is simple to cultivate and manage. Additionally, turtles like eating it, making it a good food source. The alternative name for Anacharis is waterweed due to its rapid growth. It requires a modest quantity of light and can float freely in the aquarium or be fixed to the substrate. It is uncertain whether your turtles will consume this plant.

Pros

• Multi-purpose
• Simple care

Cons

• Very fast expansion
• Occasionally food

 

Anubias

• Growth rate: Slow
• Max height: 5 inches
• Light demands: Low
• CO2: Low
• Difficulty: Easy

Anubias is a fantastic choice if you are searching for a slow-growing plant for your turtle’s aquarium. These plants have wide, 12-inch-long leaves and are nearly hard to eradicate. They don’t require much light and may cling to any surface in your aquarium. However, Anubias has a very bitter flavor, so your turtles will not consume it.

Pros

• Slow growing
• It is inedible by turtles.

Cons

• Slow growth

 

Java Fern

• Growth rate: Moderate
• Max height: 12 inches
• Light demands: Low to Moderate
• CO2: Low
• Difficulty: Easy

The Java Fern is another low-maintenance plant. They may grow up to 12 inches in low-light conditions. Java Ferns can be completely or partially submerged in water. Turtles do not often consume these plants, but if they do, the Java Fern is non-toxic. They grow at a modest rate and are able to live for a very long period with minimal care.

Pros

• Easily accessible
• Little upkeep required
• Not edible

Cons

• Requires pruning
• Require anchoring

 

Amazon Sword Veggie

• Growth rate: Moderate
• Max height: 20 inches
• Light demands: High
• CO2: Low
• Difficulty: Easy

The Amazon sword plant requires a great deal of light to flourish. As long as it receives adequate light, this plant is extremely simple to care for. It may grow pretty huge and must be securely anchored with pebbles or gravel in the tank. Typically, turtles do not consume these plants, therefore their primary function is to filter the water.

Pros

• Superior water purifier
• Simple maintenance

Cons

• Need substrate
• Intensive light needs
• Are not a source of food

 

Moneywort

• Growth rate: Fast
• Max height: 12 inches or more
• Light demands: Moderate
• CO2: Low
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult to control

This brilliant green shrub has straight, elongated stems. It is pretty beautiful and a great way to embellish your tank. In moderate light, moneywort will grow extremely rapidly, so be prepared to clip it as necessary.

Fortunately, turtles enjoy the flavor of moneywort and will cheerfully consume it. This can assist to control growth. It is recommended to keep only a couple of these plants in your aquarium so they do not take over.

Pros

• Attractive
• Turtle diet
• Moderate light required

Cons

• Can catch up with the tank
• Requires pruning

 

Duckweed

• Growth rate: Very fast
• Max height: 4 centimeters
• Light demands: Low
• CO2: Low
• Difficulty: Difficult to control

This plant has the highest growth rate on our list. A couple of these little floating plants may spread and cover the whole surface of your aquarium within days. Duckweed is a popular food for turtles, which is beneficial since it includes several nutrients. Duckweed is also effective in filtering the water in your aquarium.

However, once Duckweed gets established in a tank, it is almost tough to eradicate. Due to this, you should only include it if you intend to keep it in check and regularly remove the excess so that it does not become unmanageable.

Pros

• Rapid expansion
• Nourishing food

Cons

• Can catch up with the tank
• Impossible to eliminate

What to Look for When Buying Plants for a Turtle Tank

The market for live plants for your turtle’s aquarium might be muddy, but this guide should make things clearer. As a turtle owner, you are aware of the essential supplies required to maintain your pet happy and healthy. Now you also know which aquarium plants are the greatest purchase. But do you know why your turtles require a diversity of plants?

The Function of Living Plants in Your Turtle’s Aquarium

Vital to the health of your turtle and its habitat are living plants. In addition to beautifying the tank, they make it more like to the turtle’s natural habitat. Additionally, live plants provide a safe area for your turtle to hide or seek cover.

The living plants in your turtle’s tank also serve as a food source. Although turtles do not consume all species of vegetation, they do like munching on a few. Since the bulk of a turtle’s diet should consist of plants, especially as they age, providing them with live plants to graze on is an excellent method to satisfy their nutritional requirements.

Lastly, aquatic plants help keep your aquarium clean. Since your turtle spends most of its time in the water, it must be clean. The water should be replaced periodically.

Plants can assist maintain water quality between water changes. Nitrates and ammonia are effectively removed from the environment by living plants. They can also minimize or inhibit algae growth in your aquarium.

Buying Plants

You must acquire a combination of living plants that will satisfy your turtle’s requirements without becoming dominant. The plants on our list are ranked according to their ease of care, use in your tank, and advantages to your turtle.

The greatest concern with the plants at the bottom of our list was the likelihood of overgrowth. While duckweed and moneywort are beneficial for your turtle, you must maintain them or they will take over your tank.

The key is to find equilibrium. Consider including one or two plants that your turtle will eat, as well as one that will give cover or a hiding spot. The majority of the plants on this list are inexpensive and simple to maintain. You should ensure that the plants you choose can grow in your location and with the degree of care you are ready to provide.

Vegetation to Avoid

While many aquatic plants may dwell peacefully with turtles, there are several that should never be placed in a turtle’s tank. include the following:

• Ivy
• Milkweed
• Water Hemlock
• Rhododendrons
• Azaleas

Additionally, while turtles appreciate various fruits and vegetables as snacks, avocados, onions, and potatoes should never be given to them. Seeds should never be provided to turtles since they cannot digest them.

Conclusion

There are several plant options for your turtle’s aquarium. The finest options, according to our reviews, are Java Moss and hornwort. Java Moss is an excellent food source, maintains the aquarium clean, and requires little maintenance. Although turtles do not consume hornwort, it is one of the greatest tank-filtering plants.

After reading BestForPets (bestforpets.org) guide, you should feel confident in your ability to choose the best plants for a turtle tank!