20+ Most Popular Stem Plants for the Background of Planted Tanks

Updated: March 23, 2025 - By: - Categories: Planted aquarium

Background plants are the giants of your planted tank, towering over the rest and shaping its entire look. With so many stem plants out there—offering a rainbow of colors and leaf shapes—picking the right one can feel daunting. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! In this guide, I’ll introduce you to over 20 of the most popular stem plants to create a jaw-dropping backdrop for your aquarium. Let’s dive into the lush green (and red!) world of background plants!

Rotala indica (rotundifolia)

Rotala rotundifoliaRotala rotundifolia #ad

Let’s start with Rotala indica, also known as rotundifolia—a beginner’s dream and a staple for pros too. This fast-grower sports small leaves that turn a stunning red under good light and warm temps. It thrives even without CO2, making it perfect for low-tech setups. Boost it with iron-rich fertilizers and trace elements for extra vibrancy. Trim it often to keep its bushy canopy in check—it’s a quick spreader!

Rotala macrandra – Giant Red Rotala

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Next up is Rotala macrandra, the Giant Red Rotala—a bold choice for seasoned aquarists. Its fragile nature demands care, especially post-planting, to avoid rot. Give it plenty of light and CO2, plus iron supplements, to unleash its fiery red glow. It grows fast under the right conditions, so keep those trimmers handy to maintain its striking shape.

Rotala wallichii

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Rotala wallichii is a showstopper with its long, narrow, red leaves—possibly the slimmest among red aquatic plants. It’s not for the faint-hearted, needing high light and CO2 to shine. When conditions are spot-on, it grows quickly and demands regular trims to keep its dramatic backdrop effect. Perfect for those ready to level up their tank game!

Ludwigia repens – Water Primrose

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Water Primrose, or Ludwigia repens, is a hardy gem for any tank. Its round leaves grow opposite the stem, shifting from green to red with light intensity. It’s tough enough for beginners, thriving with low CO2, though poor light fades its colors. Under good conditions, expect a gradient—green tops and red-brown undersides—for a vibrant background.

Ludwigia repens ‘Rubin’ (Super Red)

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The ‘Rubin’ variety of Ludwigia repens, dubbed Super Red, lives up to its name with bold red hues. It’s easy to grow, surviving moderate light and CO2, but skimping on light drops its lower leaves. Crank up the lighting for that intense red pop, and trim regularly—replant the cuttings to build a dense, fiery bush fast.

Ludwigia arcuata – Needle Leaf Ludwigia

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Needle Leaf Ludwigia brings slender, red leaves to the table—a hobbyist favorite for its unique look. It’s not beginner-friendly, needing high light and CO2 to avoid fading or decay post-planting. Handle it gently and monitor closely to keep its vivid color lighting up your background.

Hygrophila corymbosa – Temple Plant

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The Temple Plant is a beginner’s delight—fast-growing and unfussy, with bright green leaves that can soar out of the tank if unchecked. It thrives under low light and CO2, though extras boost its vigor. Trim it often as new shoots make it bushy—split the rootstock to spread it quicker!

Hygrophila pinnatifida

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Hygrophila pinnatifida is a versatile standout—plant it in substrate or on rocks and wood as an epiphyte. Its pinnate leaves turn red or green based on light, offering great contrast. With moderate care, it grows fast, so trim it to keep it from overshadowing your tank mates.

Hygrophila difformis – Water Wisteria

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Water Wisteria’s magic lies in its leaves—round out of water, but pinnate and branched when submerged. It’s a fast-growing beginner’s pick, sprouting from nearly any cutting. Low light and CO2 work fine, but good lighting enhances its unique shape for a standout background.

Myriophyllum mattogrossense

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Myriophyllum mattogrossense is a breeze for beginners, with bright green, feather-like leaves and red stems. It grows fast under moderate conditions, creating a vivid contrast with other plants. Trim it regularly to maintain its lush, distinctive backdrop.

Myriophyllum tuberculatum – Red Millfoil

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Red Millfoil is a challenge worth taking for advanced hobbyists. Its red, feather-shaped leaves circle reddish-brown stems, contrasting beautifully with green plants. It demands high light, CO2, and nutrients to grow fast—rewarding dedication with a stunning background.

Limnophila aquatica – Giant Ambulia

limnophila-aquatica

Giant Ambulia, the largest Limnophila, commands attention with bright green, feathery leaves on thick stems. It grows fast with high CO2 and decent light, even sprouting purple flowers above water if left alone. Watch for algae on its delicate leaves—it’s tricky to clean!

Limnophila sessiliflora – Dwarf Ambulia

limnophila-sessiliflora

Dwarf Ambulia is a beginner-friendly alternative to its giant cousin. Its feathery green leaves circle the stems, growing fast even without CO2. Trim it often and replant cuttings—it’s a breeze to establish in any tank.

Limnophila aromatica – Ambulia conferta

limnophila-aromatica

Ambulia conferta dazzles with serrated leaves that shift from pink to red under strong light. It’s a moderate-care beauty, standing out in the background with its texture and color. Keep light and CO2 steady for bright, eye-catching foliage.

Ammannia gracilis

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Ammannia gracilis brings flair with upward-slanting leaves that brighten under intense light—green otherwise. It’s easy once established, growing steadily with moderate care. A unique, colorful addition to your tank’s backdrop.

Cabomba caroliniana – Green Cabomba

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Green Cabomba’s bottle-brush leaves on dark stems make it a beginner’s favorite. It grows fast with moderate light and low CO2, but low light risks leaf loss. Avoid frequent moves—trim carefully to keep it thriving.

Eleocharis montevidensis – Tall Hairgrass

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Tall Hairgrass mimics a grassy meadow, perfect for a natural background. It’s easy to grow, sending runners for new plants once settled. A fish hideout that loves CO2 and light—trim it to keep it from overreaching.

Vallisneria spiralis – Jungle Val

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Jungle Val’s a classic—hardy, fast-growing, and unfazed by low light or CO2. Its firm roots stand up to rowdy fish, making it a go-to background plant for any tank setup.

Heteranthera zosterifolia – Stargrass

heteranthera zosterifolia

Stargrass shines with bright, star-like leaves—trim it often to keep it dense and prevent lower leaf blackout. It’s an easy, fast-grower that adds a unique flair to your background.

Mayaca fluviatilis – Bogmoss

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Bogmoss’s needle-like leaves and delicate stems suit small tank backgrounds. It grows fast with decent light and CO2—watch for white tips signaling an iron shortage.

Pogostemon erectus

pogostemon-erectus

Pogostemon erectus mimics a coniferous forest with bright, needle-like leaves. It thrives in soft or hard water with CO2 and light, growing faster with fertilizers. Trim it to maintain its dense, forest-like charm.

Lucas is the passionate creator behind this website, dedicated to guiding aquarium enthusiasts in nurturing vibrant fish and building thriving tanks. With over 10 years of hands-on fishkeeping experience, Lucas combines practical expertise with a keen eye for the best aquarium equipment to help hobbyists of all levels succeed. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned aquarist, their goal is to inspire and equip you with the knowledge and tools for a rewarding aquatic journey.

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