Aquarium & Pond Plants
Tropical freshwater aquarium with live plants and community fish at Birchwood Aquatic Centre.

Aquarium Plants

We stock a selection of aquarium plants suitable for tropical and coldwater tanks. These may include easy-care plants, bunch plants, potted plants, mosses, floating plants and plants attached to wood or rock.

Aquarium plants can help create hiding places for fish and shrimp, provide shade, and give your tank a more natural appearance. They are also popular for aquascaping, from simple beginner layouts to more detailed planted aquariums.

Tropical aquariums are ideal for many types of live plants. With the right lighting and care, plants can thrive and make your tank look more established and natural.

We can advise on plants suitable for community tropical tanks, planted aquariums, shrimp tanks and beginner setups.

Plants for Tropical Aquariums

Tropical aquariums are ideal for many types of live plants. With the right lighting and care, plants can thrive and make your tank look more established and natural.

We can advise on plants suitable for community tropical tanks, planted aquariums, shrimp tanks and beginner setups.

Plants for Coldwater Aquariums

Coldwater aquariums can also benefit from live plants, although not every aquarium plant is suitable for cooler water or goldfish tanks.

Goldfish in particular may nibble, uproot or disturb softer plants, so it is worth choosing tougher options where needed. We can help you pick plants that are more suitable for coldwater aquariums and explain how best to plant or secure them.

Pond Plants

We also stock pond plants during the pond season, including options for adding natural cover, height and interest around the pond.

Pond plants can help soften the edges of a pond, provide shelter for wildlife and fish, and make the whole pond look more natural. Availability can vary through the season, so it is always worth visiting the shop to see what we currently have in stock.

Pond plants for sale at Birchwood Aquatic Centre in Swanley, Kent

Why Add Live Plants?

Live plants can:

  • Make aquariums and ponds look more natural
  • Provide cover and shelter for fish
  • Help reduce stress by giving fish places to hide
  • Add colour, movement and texture
  • Support a more balanced aquatic environment
  • Improve the overall appearance of your setup

Plant Nutrition & Substrates

While many aquarium plants can be grown in gravel alone, we recommend using a nutrient-rich substrate underneath your gravel when setting up a planted aquarium. This provides plant roots with the essential nutrients they need for stronger growth, healthier leaves and better root development.

Two of our favourite substrates are Tetra Complete Substrate and Seachem Flourite. Both provide an excellent foundation for rooted aquarium plants and can help them establish much more successfully than gravel on its own.

For established aquariums where replacing the substrate isn’t practical, API Root Tabs are an excellent alternative. These nutrient tablets are pushed into the substrate around the base of root-feeding plants, delivering nutrients directly where they’re needed without having to strip down the aquarium.

The right combination of substrate, lighting and plant nutrition can make a huge difference to the health and appearance of your aquarium plants. If you’re unsure which option is best for your setup, our team will be happy to recommend the most suitable products for your aquarium.

Need Help Choosing Plants?

Not sure what will work in your tank or pond? Bring in a photo of your setup, or tell us your tank size, lighting and fish species, and we will help you choose suitable plants.

We can also advise on plant food, substrates, lighting, planting tools and basic plant care.

Visit Us In Store

Our plant availability changes throughout the year, especially with pond plants, so the best way to see what we currently have is to visit us in store.

Birchwood Aquatic Centre is based in Swanley, Kent, and we are happy to help with aquarium plants, pond plants, fishkeeping advice and everything you need to keep your setup looking its best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we stock live aquarium plants suitable for a range of tropical and coldwater aquariums.

Yes, we stock pond plants during the pond season. Availability changes throughout the year.

Some plants are more suitable than others. Goldfish may nibble or uproot softer plants, so tougher plants are usually a better choice.

Most aquarium plants need suitable lighting to grow well. Some are easier than others, so we can help you choose plants that match your setup.

Many aquarium plants benefit from plant food or root tabs, depending on the type of plant and how it feeds.

Yes, live plants can provide cover, reduce stress and create a more natural environment for fish.

Many easy aquarium plants will grow in ordinary gravel, but for the best results we recommend using a nutrient-rich plant substrate beneath your gravel. Products such as Tetra Complete Substrate and Seachem Flourite provide nutrients for healthy root growth, while API Root Tabs are a great option for established aquariums where adding a full substrate isn’t possible.