11 Aquarium Plants That Grow in Gravel

Planted tanks are often seen as the coup de grâce of the freshwater aquarium hobby and with good reason. They are the closest you can come to recreating an aquatic ecosystem in its truest form in your home aquarium. However, the general assumption is that planted tanks need a different type of setup including a certain type of substrate. So, what if you already have an aquarium that does not have such a substrate but would still like to keep plants? Do you have to throw everything away and start from scratch? The simple answer is no. There are plenty of plants that can be grown in a tank with regular aquarium gravel. Here are 11 of the best options if you are on the lookout for such plants.

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Amazon Sword

This plant is so easy to grow that even people with minimal experience can make them thrive. They are one of the least demanding freshwater plants around. They will grow just fine in gravel and without any special lighting system and fertilizer. Just make sure that the gravel is about 2.5 inches deep and the lights stay on for about 10-12 hours a day. They will grow very tall very fast so some pruning may be required to keep it manageable. It also acts as a great hiding spot for many fish and is the perfect choice for a low-tech community tank.

• Care level: Easy
• Lighting: Moderate
• Growth rate: Fast
• Placement: Background
• Maximum size: 16 inches

Ludwigia Repens

There is this common misconception that plants that aren’t the normal green color are incredibly demanding and difficult to keep. While that is true for most of them, Ludwigia Repens is a great exception. It’s deep red coloration makes it a great option as a centerpiece plant that you can use to add some character to your planted tank. They grow just fine in gravel. It isn’t very demanding when it comes to the light either. There is a caveat though with keeping these plants. If you really want to bring out its brilliant coloration then you will need to provide some additional CO₂ even though it will grow normally without any issues without CO₂. Similarly, fertilizers aren’t compulsory but they will help the plant grow faster and look more attractive.

• Care level: Easy
• Lighting: Low
• Growth rate: Moderate
• Placement: centerpiece
• Maximum size: 8-20 inches

Jungle Vallisneria

If you want that grassy look, the general consensus is that you need proper substrate but with the Vallisneria, you can get that look in a tank with a gravel substrate and without expending a lot of effort. The first thing that you will need to remember about this plant is that it can grow very quickly and grow very tall. So be ready to do a lot of pruning. It also needs iron-rich fertilizers. Apart from that, this plant is relatively easy to take care of and is perfect for people who have kept all the beginner plants and are looking for something that is a bit more demanding.

• Care level: Intermediate
• Lighting: Medium
• Growth rate: Fast
• Placement: Background
• Maximum size: 6 feet

Asian Ambulia

The Ambulia has a unique and distinct look that may give the impression that it is difficult to look after but it isn’t really that difficult. If you love the very popular Cabomba but do not want to put in the effort it requires, this is an exceptional alternative. It is a very hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and can even be kept in a cold-water aquarium. It doesn’t need any additional fertilizers and best of all, it can grow perfectly well in gravel.

• Care level: Moderate
• Lighting: Low
• Growth rate: Fast
• Placement: Mid-ground
• Maximum size: 15 inches

Anacharis

A lot of artificial plants are modeled after this plant which means that its looks are quite sought after. Another great aspect about this plant is that it doesn’t grow too tall and this is perfect for an aquarium that isn’t very big. If you keep Tetras then this is a must-have plant and it doesn’t need any additional fertilizers or CO₂ to flourish. You will need to provide it with moderate levels of lighting though but any regular aquarium light is adequate enough as long as it provides at least 2 watts per gallon.

• Care level: Easy
• Lighting: Medium
• Growth rate: Fast
• Placement: Mid-ground
• Maximum size: 6-8 inches

Italian Vallisneria

This is another plant that is perfect for anyone who does not want to spend a lot of time and effort on their planted tank. First things first, it will be right at home in a tank with a gravel substrate. It is easily available, affordable, and propagates very fast. So, you won’t have to spend a lot of money and you can start small and it will spread quite quickly to fill up space in your aquarium. As it can grow pretty tall as well, some upkeep will be needed to keep it from completely taking over the aquarium. Fertilizers and CO₂ aren’t needed even though they can help it grow  quicker and in a lusher manner. Also, provide at least 2 watts per gallon of light.

• Care level: Easy
• Lighting: Medium
• Growth rate: Moderate
• Placement: Background
• Maximum size: 20 inches

Giant Hygro

If you don’t want your entire tank to be filled with plants but you want to add just a single plant that has enough presence to still give that green and healthy look then this is the ideal choice. It is very hardy and not at all demanding. It grows without any problems in gravel and can grow quite quickly as well. The large leaves give it a really classy look and if you are trying to create a sparse and minimalistic theme in your aquarium then this will just complement that really well. As an added bonus, it also produces attractive-looking flowers and that too without needing fertilizers or CO₂ just as long as there is adequate lighting of 2 watts per gallon or more.

• Care level: Easy
• Lighting: Medium
• Growth rate: Fast
• Placement: Background
• Maximum size: 24 inches

Cryptocoryne Wendtil

Despite its somewhat complicated name, the Cryptocoryne Wendtil is actually very uncomplicated when it comes to the care it needs. It will grow easily in a tank with gravel substrate and it will do so without growing very tall which is a rarity among such plants. This makes it ideal for really small tanks such as a 5-gallon aquarium. It also comes in a lot of color variations and can thus act as a great foreground plant in a larger tank. It does need some fertilizers that are rich in iron but apart from that, they can just be planted in your tank and forgotten about.

• Care level: Very Easy
• Lighting: Low
• Growth rate: Moderate
• Placement: Foreground
• Maximum size: 6 inches

Water Sprite

Adding a plant that is delicate looking can give the aura of sophistication to an aquarium. However, these plants are often notoriously difficult to take care of. The Water Sprite is one of the few dainty-looking plants that are actually quite hardy and can grow in gravel. Having said that, they are a bit more demanding than most of the plants listed here. It requires 3 watts per gallon or more when it comes to the lighting and it needs a nutrient-rich substrate which means that you will have to add some fertilizers. Apart from that, this plant is pretty straightforward to look after.

• Care level: Moderate
• Lighting: High
• Growth rate: Slow
• Placement: Midground
• Maximum size: 13 inches

Java Moss

Almost every single plant mentioned so far needs a substrate even if that substrate is gravel. What if you do not want to go through the hassle of planting and ensuring the good health of the roots among the gravel? Java Moss is your answer as it is one of those rare plants that you can simply chuck into your aquarium and forget about. It is very easy to take care of as long as it gets some direct light and there are enough nutrients in the water which will be present naturally in a healthy aquarium. If you want minimum hassles, then go for the Java Moss. The fact that it looks quite amazing is just an added bonus.

• Care level: Very Easy
• Lighting: Low
• Growth rate: Slow
• Placement: Foreground
• Maximum size: 4 inches

Anubias

No conversation about hardy plants would be complete without mentioning the Anubias. If you have a tank with a gravel substrate and fishes that are hostile towards plants then the Anubias is your only real choice when it comes to live plants. It can grow anywhere and that includes driftwood, aquarium decor, and gravel. Just make sure that some of the roots are exposed. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes and you can fill an aquarium with all the different types. It grows pretty slowly as well making it a truly low-maintenance plant

• Care level: Very Easy
• Lighting: Low
• Growth rate: Slow
• Placement: Midground
• Maximum size: 11 inches