Question: What Plants To Avoid?

I've seen pet stores (Family owned and major pet stores) sell plants like Purple waffle and Mondo grass as aquatic plants. Both of these plants aren't fully aquatic still they sell them like that. Are there any other plants that we should avoid? I think this forum would help a lot of beginners including myself. It would be great if you guys attached a picture to your comment, thanks

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Permalink Reply by Paul on May 11, 2012 at 3:50am

Generally speaking you want to try to avoid plants that are not aquatic however many have the ability to do both, ie amazon sword. As far as a picture goes i cant help you with any of those but if you do keep non-aquatic plants they will be short-lived. I feel like i didnt answer your question at all but basically i would try and stay away from non-aquatics those stores are just doing it for aesthetic purposes and try to prey on the inexperienced hobbyist with vibrant colors and cool looks.

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Permalink Reply by Mikkel Persson on May 11, 2012 at 4:43am

I agree with Paul, and if your light are low stay away from red plants. But en general read before you by

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Permalink Reply by Mc Fish on May 11, 2012 at 4:56am

I think you covered 2 major plants with the mondo grass and purple waffle. Other popular plants are pilea (aluminum plants), dracaena, lucky bamboo, and syngonium podophllum (red arrow head). Paul is correct in saying some plants are capable of both aquatic and terrestrial growth such as creeping jenny and whorled pennywort but transitioning fro submersed to emersed may dry out the plant and it is a good idea to keep it very humid and moist as it transitions.

I would not necessarily attribute the sale of these plants as some kind of scam, the plants do work very well in riparium style setups and I would like to believe they are sold for that intent and purpose.