By AFT Editorial • Last Update: October 10, 2025
The best live plants for a freshwater angelfish tank are hardy species that provide vertical cover to match their tall body shape. Excellent choices include tall background plants like Amazon Swords and Vallisneria, as well as highly durable options like Anubias and Java Fern attached to driftwood or rocks. These selected plants thrive in typical angelfish water parameters with moderate lighting and do not require complex CO2 injection, making them ideal for creating a natural and beautiful environment.
Discover the best live plants for your freshwater angelfish tank. Our complete guide covers tall background plants like Amazon Swords, easy mid-ground options like Anubias, and how to set up the perfect planted aquarium for your angelfish to thrive.
Creating a planted aquarium is one of the most rewarding ways to display the grace and beauty of freshwater angelfish. A well-designed planted tank not only looks stunning but also mimics their natural Amazonian habitat, providing shelter, improving water quality, and encouraging natural behaviors. This guide will walk you through the absolute best plants for angelfish, from towering background options to easy beginner choices, and show you how to set up the perfect aquascape.
Before diving into the specifics of plants, it’s crucial to have mastered the basics of their care. For a complete foundation on their needs, be sure to read our ultimate guide to freshwater angelfish.
Angelfish are tall, mid-water swimmers, so the ideal plants will accommodate their shape and provide vertical cover without overly cluttering their swimming space. The best choices are hardy, beautiful, and thrive in typical angelfish water parameters.
These are essential for creating a sense of security and a lush, jungle-like backdrop.
These plants fill out the middle of the tank and provide visual interest.
While angelfish aren’t bottom-dwellers, a touch of green in the foreground completes the look.
While most hardy plants work, some are best avoided in an angelfish tank:
You don’t need a high-tech setup to create a beautiful planted tank for your angelfish. Focus on these basics.
For those interested in the science, this is because plants require a specific balance of 17 essential nutrients for healthy growth.
The 29-gallon “high” tank is a popular choice for a pair of angelfish. Here’s a simple but beautiful layout: Place a large Amazon Sword in one back corner as the main feature. In the center, position a nice piece of driftwood with Java Fern and Anubias attached to its branches. Plant a wall of Vallisneria across the other half of the back glass. Finally, place a few bunches of Dwarf Sagittaria in the foreground to create a simple, low-maintenance lawn. This design provides plenty of vertical cover and open swimming space in the front.
A heavily planted tank is the best environment for keeping angelfish with other fish. The plants break lines of sight, which reduces territorial disputes, and provide abundant hiding spots for smaller tank mates. This makes peaceful companions like Corydoras catfish, Rummy Nose tetras, and Bristlenose Plecos feel much more secure.
For a complete list of compatible species, see our Ultimate Angelfish Tank Mates Guide.
Creating a planted tank for your angelfish is one of the best things you can do for their health and well-being. By choosing the right hardy plants and focusing on the basics of care, you can easily create a stunning slice of the Amazon that will be a beautiful centerpiece in your home for years to come.
The best plants for angelfish are hardy, tall species that provide vertical cover. Top choices include Amazon Swords, Vallisneria, Java Fern, and Anubias. These plants are durable and create a natural, secure environment that complements the angelfish's body shape.
No, for the most commonly recommended angelfish plants like Amazon Swords, Anubias, and Java Fern, you do not need special equipment like a CO2 injection system. A good quality LED light and occasional use of root tabs or a liquid fertilizer are sufficient for a lush, healthy tank.
Generally, no. Freshwater angelfish are not aggressive plant-eaters, but they may occasionally pick at very soft or delicate leaves. By choosing hardy, tough-leaved plants like Anubias, Java Fern, and Amazon Swords, you can easily avoid any significant damage.
Yes, live plants are extremely beneficial for angelfish. They mimic their natural Amazonian habitat, provide shelter which reduces stress, help maintain stable water quality by absorbing nitrates, and offer natural surfaces for them to lay their eggs on if they decide to breed.
Because angelfish have a tall body shape, they thrive with tall background plants. The two best choices are Amazon Swords, which have broad, sturdy leaves, and Vallisneria (Jungle Val), which creates a beautiful, flowing curtain of green along the back of the aquarium.
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