Betta fish, also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, naturally live in heavily-vegetated, shallow water streams in Asia. When deciding how to set up your tank, there are so many plant options to choose from that could resemble their natural habitat. So, we’ve put together a list of the Best Plants for Betta Fish Tanks to give you more of an idea of what your betta fish would love the most.
Best Live Betta Plants Comparison Table
 Top | Moss Ball Decorative Moss Balls for Fish Tank Water Grass Moss Balls Live Aquarium plantAquatic Plant Ornament 4pcs(4cm/1.77in) (4 pcs) | View on AMAZON | |
Top Top | Java Fern Microsorum pteropus Buy 2 Get 1 Free | Beginner Live Aquarium Aquatic Plants Freshwater Plant for Planted Tank , Best Tropical plants for Fish Tanks for Sale Online | View on AMAZON | |
 Top | AQUARIUM PLANTS DISCOUNTS Java Moss Portion in 4 Oz Cup - Easy Live Fresh Water Aquarium Plants | View on AMAZON | |
 Top | Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis Parvula) -BUY3GET1FREE- Live Aquarium Foregound Plant | View on AMAZON | |
 Top | 10 Species Live Aquarium Plants Package - Anacharis, Swords, Vallisneria and More! | View on AMAZON | |
 Top | Anubias Barteri Coin Leaves Live Aquarium Plants Freshwater Rhizome 3 Days Live Guaranteed by Mainam | View on AMAZON |
Best Artificial Betta Plants Comparison Table
 | Marina Betta Pink Orchid Aquarium Plastic Plant, 2.75-Inch | View on AMAZON | |
 | SunGrow Aquarium Plastic Leaf Plant, Fish Tank Decor Accessories & Supplies, Hiding Spot for Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians, 1 Piece | View on AMAZON | |
 | Blue Spotted Betta Plant, Amazon Sword Great for Betta Fish and Use Betta Leaf Pad & Betta Log | View on AMAZON | |
 | CNZ Aquarium Fish Tank Green Lifelike Underwater Plastic Plant Aquatic Water Grass Decor (Large, 13-inch) | View on AMAZON | |
 | Marina Ecoscaper, Hydrocotyle, Silk Plant Fish Tank Decoration, 8-inch, PP187A1 | View on AMAZON |
Contrary to what most people think, betta fish don’t actually thrive in small, empty fish bowls or ponds. In reality, they are much happier, healthier and more comfortable when their aquariums depict their natural environment, a large space with plenty of plants and greenery.
Here are some of the most popular plants we could find to fill your betta tanks with, to keep them refreshed and thriving.
Maintaining Live Plants in Your Tank
The best option for keeping live plants in your aquarium is having an aquarium ceiling light, such as an LED or UV.
This ensures that they can grow optimally indoors. If you don’t have indoor lighting or don’t plan on adding one to your setup, artificial plants are a good alternative.
However, there are some live plants that survive fine without a lot of external lighting, and these are listed in our reviews below.
Are Live Plants Better?
Choosing whether live or artificial plants are better mostly comes down to personal preference.
Live plants generally liven up an aquarium, creating a vibrant, natural environment for your fish. Some may even help control the water quality of your tank. They require more care and maintenance to remain thriving and healthy.
Artificial plants may not always exhibit that natural aesthetic as well, however are a great maintenance-free option for your aquarium.
Aquatic Plants Versus Semi-Submersible Plants
You may have seen some aquarium setups where plants can grow outside of the tank. An aquarium grown this way is usually expertly crafted and is actually more of a water garden. It is popular with some betta fish keepers to grow semi-submerged bamboo in an aquarium.
Where Can I Buy Live Aquarium Plants?
You should be able to purchase live plants from your local water supply store, or online. We bought our latest Java fern from aquariumgardens.co.uk and were delighted with the quality and service. We have also purchased plants in the past from Swallow Aquatics, a local water sports store that also sells online.
What Plants Are Safe for Betta Fish?
Some of the safest plants to choose for your betta fish are non-toxic and easy to care for, with soft leaves for the fish to rub against.
Top 10 Best Plants For Your Betta Fish Tanks Review
1. Betta Fish Balls Live Marimo Aquarium Plants
The Betta Fish Balls Live Marimo Aquarium Plants are one of the easiest live plants to choose for your betta tank. These Marimo balls are technically an algae that can live for years without much special care.
These plant balls work well to create a natural aesthetic, along with being a hardy option providing the tank water with necessary nutrients.
Their round shape is a fun choice, that when paired with a variety of other plants, can create a unique, functioning environment for your fish to play in.
Betta fish also love to rub or rest in the soft seaweed.
Check Price On Amazon2. Green Pro Java Fern
These Green Pro Java Ferns are low maintenance live plants that can thrive in many environments, especially in low-light freshwater environments. They don’t need any fertilizer, and have long leaves that your betta fish will love to play in.
This plant is so versatile. They don’t require soil or gravel, and can thrive completely or partially submerged in your tank. They provide a realistic ecosystem for your fish, with different layers to swim and explore in.
You can easily create a new plant by dividing the roots. The Java plant is well-worth its value.
Check Price On Amazon3. Java Moss Live Freshwater Aquarium Plants
This nutrient-rich Java Moss Live Freshwater Aquarium Plant can help add oxygen to your tank. It creates viable ground cover similar to the natural environment of betta fish for them to rub and happily play around.
The Java moss is a freshwater plant that has no roots. It grows well in average temperatures, covering the bottom of the tank with little to no maintenance.
It prefers a lot of nitrates and stagnates water due to its delicate structure. Food scraps and fish excrement are the perfect and easy fertilizer for this plant.
Check Price On Amazon4. SunGrow Beautiful Plastic Aquarium Plant
The SunGrow Beautiful Plastic Aquarium Plant is an artificial decoration with large, glossy leaves that resemble real plant leaves for your betta fish to explore.
You can use it in any type of tank, temperature or lighting situation and you can trust it’s long-lasting durability. It’s maintenance free, with flexible leaves that can move for a more realistic effect.
The product comes with about 20 leaves for you to fill your tank with, providing your betta fish with shelter and privacy.
Check Price On Amazon5. Betta Plant Amazon Sword
Another artificial option to add to your aquarium collection is the Betta Plant Amazon Sword. This is an eye-catching choice, with thick sheets that look realistic and help take up space in the tank.
The weighted rock base helps the plastic plant stay safe and allows your betta fish to play and explore the leaves easily.
The leaves are colored to look realistic and have natural variations that can help the plastic plant blend in with other plants or features. This product doesn’t require any maintenance and can be expected to last for a long time.
6. Marina Ecoscaper Hydrocotyle Silk Plant
This Marina Ecoscaper Hydrocotyle Silk Plant is made from a natural material that consistently looks shiny and healthy in the container. The colors of the plant are translucent and the silk material helps the leaves flow in water as a real plant might.
This plant can fill the mid-range area of your aquarium, helping with keeping that natural, low maintenance aesthetic for your betta fish to live in.
Check Price On Amazon7. CNZ Aquarium Fish Tank Green Lifelike Underwater Plastic Plant
The CNZ Aquarium Fish Tank Green Lifelike Plant is available in two sizes and suits a variety of tank sizes. The leaves are multi-colored to make your aquarium visually interesting, including roots to help with that realistic effect.
This plant can fill larger tanks with ease, giving your betta fish something to hide and play in. It comes with multiple leaves that can blend well with other live and artificial plants you may already have.
This is a great low-maintenance option for your tank.
Check Price On Amazon8. Marina Betta Pink Orchid Aquarium Plastic Plant
This striking Marina Betta Pink Orchid Aquarium Plastic Plant is ideal for visual displays. It’s made to resemble the rare pink orchids, even including roots to attach to the bottom of the tank for that realistic effect.
The vibrant green and pink colors add visual interest to your aquatic landscape and it is easy to keep clean and maintain. This is an option to choose if you’re looking for a betta fish-friendly statement piece.
Check Price On Amazon9. Dwarf Hairgrass Live Aquarium Plants
The Dwarf Hairgrass Live Aquarium Plant is an easy to maintain, soft and green plant. It grows in the mid-range segment of the tank and is a great addition to creating a realistic ecosystem for fish to swim in. This type of plant is ideal for placing around stone ornaments or pieces of driftwood.
The best temperature for dwarf hairgrass is 70 to 83° F and it grows best in moderate light. It’s a carpet plant, providing lush ground cover for fish to enjoy. However, it needs a nutrient-rich substrate to survive.
Check Price On Amazon10. Live Aquarium Plants in Tissue Culture Cup Anubias
The Live Aquarium Plants in Tissue Culture Cup Anubias are a beautiful, fresh an non-toxic choice for your betta fish.
Their unique leaves are visually appealing and relatively low maintenance. The Anubias plant is hardy, growing in a variety of environments, preferring low-light freshwater tanks.
The leaves are thick and heavy, providing high-quality coverage for your betta fish to enjoy.
Check Price On Amazon
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, the idea that betta fish can live in small, unfiltered bowls has become a popular misconception. The healthier option to help your betta fish thrive, is a densely planted environment with lots of room to move. The Best Plants for Betta Fish Tanks are low-maintenance, soft greenery with lots of places to hide and play around.
.