Five plants that work in a 5-gallon betta tank without CO2, with low-light LEDs, and without much experience. Priced $3 to $8 per plant at online retailers or specialty fish stores. Affiliate disclosure at our affiliate disclosure. Plant selection reflects Seriously Fish on Betta splendens habitat.
Quick recommendations
| Plant | Light need | Mount | Difficulty | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anubias nana | Very low | Attach to wood/rock | Easy | Amazon |
| Java fern | Low | Attach to wood/rock | Easy | Amazon |
| Cryptocoryne wendtii | Low | Substrate | Easy | Amazon |
| Java moss | Any | Attach or free-float | Easy | Amazon |
| Amazon frogbit | Low to moderate | Floating | Easy | Amazon |
1. Anubias nana (and petite)
The default betta plant.
Why:
- Nearly zero light requirement.
- Tolerates pH 5-8.
- Thick hard leaves don’t shred.
- Slow growth means no constant trimming.
- Bettas love to rest on the broad leaves.
How to plant:
- Tie or superglue to driftwood or rock.
- NEVER bury the rhizome (the thick horizontal stem). It rots.
- Roots can extend into substrate; rhizome stays exposed.
Price: $5-8 per plant.
Check price on Amazon Affiliate link. See our disclosure.
2. Java fern (Microsorum pteropus)
The tall background plant.
Why:
- Low light, no CO2.
- Tall leaves give vertical structure.
- Multiple varieties: narrow leaf, trident, windeløv (lace).
- Hardy across water parameters.
How to plant:
- Same as Anubias: attach to wood or rock.
- NEVER bury the rhizome.
- Propagates by plantlets forming on leaves; snap them off and attach elsewhere.
Price: $6-8 per plant.
Check price on Amazon Affiliate link. See our disclosure.
3. Cryptocoryne wendtii
The substrate-rooted plant.
Why:
- Colors range from green to bronze to red.
- Tolerates low light.
- Good midground plant.
- Spreads through runners over time.
How to plant:
- Plant in substrate (sand or gravel).
- Warning: transplant melt. Cryptocorynes often lose all leaves after transplant and regrow over 4-6 weeks. This is normal.
Price: $4-7 per plant.
Check price on Amazon Affiliate link. See our disclosure.
4. Java moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri)
The carpet and accent plant.
Why:
- Grows on anything. Attach with thread, wedge into crevices, or let float.
- Fry love hiding in it.
- Bettas enjoy resting in or on it.
- Easy propagation; break off a chunk, it grows.
How to plant:
- Tie to driftwood with cotton thread (degrades), or superglue.
- Or wedge in between rocks.
- Or let free-float; it forms mats.
Price: $5 for a generous starter clump.
Check price on Amazon Affiliate link. See our disclosure.
5. Amazon frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum)
The floating plant.
Why:
- Covers part of the surface for shade.
- Bettas build bubble nests in its roots.
- Absorbs excess nutrients.
- Multiplies quickly.
How to plant:
- Float. That’s it.
- Keep away from filter outflow; frogbit doesn’t like current splashing leaves.
- Thin out when it covers 60%+ of surface (blocks light for other plants).
Price: $5-8 for starter portion.
Check price on Amazon Affiliate link. See our disclosure.
Bonus: additional easy plants
- Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes). Larger floating alternative to frogbit.
- Duckweed (Lemna minor). Grows everywhere; hard to eradicate once introduced. Avoid unless you want it forever.
- Marimo moss balls (Aegagropila linnaei). A filamentous algae, not strictly a plant. Decorative, zero care.
- Red root floaters (Phyllanthus fluitans). Pretty red floaters for lower-flow tanks.
What to skip
Tissue-cultured tropica carpet plants. Require CO2 and high light to carpet. Not a low-tech betta plant.
Dwarf hairgrass. Same issue.
Red plants marketed as “low-light.” Most reds need CO2 to color up properly. Disappointment guaranteed in a low-tech tank.
Plastic plants with sharp edges. Shred fins. Not a plant; skip.
Bamboo. Often sold at pet stores as “lucky bamboo” or “aquarium bamboo.” Terrestrial plant. Rots underwater over months.
Substrate
For planted tanks:
- Aquarium sand. CaribSea Super Naturals, Black Diamond Blasting Sand. Fine-grain. Easy to plant in. $15 for 5-gallon quantity.
- Fluval Stratum. Planted-tank-specific substrate with nutrients. $20 for 5-gallon quantity. Better for demanding plants; overkill for this list.
Don’t use:
- Large gravel (over 5 mm). Hard to plant in, food falls between pieces.
- White gravel. Reflects light unnaturally.
- Crushed coral. Hardens water; usable but hardness-altering.
Fertilization
Low-tech tanks with the plants above don’t strictly need fertilizer. Fish waste provides enough. Optional:
- Seachem Flourish Comprehensive. All-in-one fertilizer. 2-3 drops per 5 gallons once a week.
- Root tabs. Seachem Flourish Tabs under cryptocoryne for extra root feeding. Once every 3 months.
The planted 5-gallon layout
Recommended starter layout:
- 1-inch sand substrate.
- Piece of Mopani driftwood, off-center.
- Anubias nana attached to driftwood (2 pieces).
- Java fern attached to driftwood (1 piece).
- Cryptocoryne wendtii in substrate at back (3 plants).
- Java moss clumps wedged in crevices.
- Amazon frogbit covering 30-40% of surface.
Total plant cost: ~$30. Tank looks naturalistic, bettas have cover and surface shelter, plants consume nitrates.
Live plants are the single biggest improvement a betta owner can make after getting tank size right. Start with Anubias and Java moss; add from there.
Related on this site
- Betta Tank Setup: A 5-Gallon Minimum Build, Step by Step
- Best 5-Gallon Betta Tanks in 2026
- Best Betta Heaters in 2026: Preset vs Adjustable
- Best Betta Pellets in 2026: Four That Don’t Embarrass Themselves
- Betta Buyer’s Guide: What NOT to Buy
Frequently asked
- Do bettas need live plants?
- Not strictly. They benefit from the ammonia consumption, cover, and surface shelter that plants provide. Silk plants are acceptable. Hard plastic plants with sharp edges shred fins and should be avoided.
- Do I need CO2?
- No. The plants on this page grow fine in low-tech setups without CO2 injection. If you want high-tech planted tank aesthetics with carpeting plants, that's a different project entirely.
- Can I plant directly in gravel or sand?
- Cryptocoryne can. Anubias and Java fern should NEVER be buried at the rhizome. Attach them to driftwood or rocks instead. Java moss is epiphytic; wedge into crevices.
- Will my betta eat the plants?
- No. Bettas are insectivores, not herbivores. They'll rest on leaves and sometimes nip at plants out of curiosity but won't consume them.