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Best Plants for an Angelfish Tank: A Complete Guide

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.

A stunning, mature angelfish gliding gracefully between the tall leaves of an Amazon Sword plant in a well-lit aquarium.

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.

Introduction

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.

The Best Live Plants for 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.

Tall Background Plants

These are essential for creating a sense of security and a lush, jungle-like backdrop.

  • Amazon Sword (Echinodorus sp.): The quintessential angelfish plant. Its broad, tall leaves provide the perfect shelter and spawning surface. As heavy root feeders, they thrive with a nutrient-rich substrate or root tabs.
  • Vallisneria (Jungle Val): This fast-growing plant creates a beautiful “curtain” of green along the back of your tank. Its thin, ribbon-like leaves will grow all the way to the surface, providing excellent vertical cover.
  • Java Fern (Microsorum pteropus): One of the hardiest plants in the hobby. It should not be planted in the substrate; instead, attach its rhizome to driftwood or rocks. Its tough leaves are resistant to any curious nibbling.

Mid-ground Plants & Accents

These plants fill out the middle of the tank and provide visual interest.

  • Anubias (Anubias barteri): Like Java Fern, Anubias is incredibly durable with thick, waxy leaves. It’s a low-light plant that should be attached to hardscape, making it a versatile and almost indestructible choice.
  • Cryptocoryne (Cryptocoryne wendtii): “Crypts” are classic mid-ground plants that come in various colors and textures. They are root feeders and do well in stable tank conditions. Note: They may “melt” (lose their leaves) when first introduced, but new growth will appear once they acclimate.

Foreground Plants

While angelfish aren’t bottom-dwellers, a touch of green in the foreground completes the look.

  • Dwarf Sagittaria (Sagittaria subulata): An easy, low-tech plant that creates a grassy lawn effect. It spreads via runners and can fill out the foreground nicely without demanding intense light or CO2.

Plants to Avoid

While most hardy plants work, some are best avoided in an angelfish tank:

  • Delicate Stem Plants: Plants with very fine, fragile leaves (like Hornwort or Cabomba) can be picked at by curious angelfish and tend to shed, creating a mess.
  • High-Tech Carpeting Plants: Most true carpeting plants (like Monte Carlo or Dwarf Hairgrass) require intense lighting and CO2 injection, which is generally unnecessary for an angelfish-focused setup.

Setting Up Your Angelfish Planted Tank

You don’t need a high-tech setup to create a beautiful planted tank for your angelfish. Focus on these basics.

  • Substrate: A fine gravel or sand substrate is perfectly suitable. For heavy root feeders like Amazon Swords and Crypts, be sure to insert nutrient-rich root tabs into the substrate near their base every few months.
  • Lighting: A standard, full-spectrum LED aquarium light is all you need. Aim for moderate intensity and run the light on a timer for 8-10 hours per day to promote healthy growth and prevent algae.
  • Fertilizers & CO2: For the easy plants listed above, CO2 injection is not necessary. A good quality, all-in-one liquid fertilizer dosed once or twice a week is more than enough to keep your plants healthy.

For those interested in the science, this is because plants require a specific balance of 17 essential nutrients for healthy growth.

Example Aquascape for a 29-Gallon Planted Angelfish Tank

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.

Tank Mates in a Planted Tank

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.

A Thriving Natural Environment

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best plants for an angelfish tank?

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.

Do I need special equipment like CO2 for an angelfish planted tank?

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.

Will angelfish eat my live plants?

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.

Are live plants actually good for angelfish?

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.

What are some good tall plants for angelfish?

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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