Aquarium Plants on Bogwood (Various Species)

Add aquarium plants on bogwood for an instant planted look

Aquarium plants on bogwood are plants that already grow on a piece of wood, so you simply stand the wood in your tank. There is no planting, no special substrate and no waiting for roots to take in the gravel: the plants arrive established, with their roots gripping the wood, and the piece looks settled from the first day. It is the quickest way to add mature green growth to a new tank, a shrimp tank or a layout that needs a natural focal point.

The plants used for wood are epiphytes: plants that grow on surfaces rather than in the ground, from a creeping stem called a rhizome. In the wild, Java fern grows attached to riverside roots and rocks, as the Wikipedia account of Java fern describes, and Tropica's Anubias profile says that plant gives its best results on a stone or tree root. A piece of wood is simply the aquarium version of that habitat.

Decide whether it suits your tank

Know exactly what you receive

One purchase is one piece of bogwood with established aquarium plants growing on it, in the 4–6 inch size grade. The plants are typically 10–25 cm tall. The species varies from piece to piece: the piece in our photograph carries an Anubias with broad, glossy leaves, and other pieces may carry a different rhizome plant, such as Java fern. Each piece of wood is natural, so its shape and the way the plants sit on it are unique. Please read our delivery information before ordering.

Recognise the plants most often grown on wood

Tropica points out that the black spots under Java fern leaves are its reproductive organs (sporangia), not a disease. Our Java fern category page lists Java fern varieties, and the potted aquarium plants category shows plants that go into the substrate instead.

Place the wood and let the plants settle

The one rule that matters with every rhizome plant is never to bury the rhizome. Tropica warns that Anubias, Java fern and Bolbitis rhizomes rot if they are covered with substrate. On a piece of wood, the rhizome is already held above the gravel, which is exactly what makes these plants so easy.

Tropica's set-up guide asks for an aquarium out of direct sunlight, and warns during planting that letting plants dry out may harm the leaves, so have the tank ready before you open the parcel. Tropica's FAQ recommends rinsing new plants under tap water before they go in.

Follow a five-step set-up

1. Prepare: decide where the wood will sit, ideally where you can see it from the front and the rhizome stays clear of the gravel.
2. Unpack: open the parcel as soon as it arrives and keep the leaves wet.
3. Rinse: rinse the plant and wood gently under tap water, as Tropica advises for new plants.
4. Place: stand the wood on the substrate; you can bed the bottom of the wood into the gravel, but keep the rhizome uncovered.
5. Secure: if a plant works loose, tie it back with fishing line until it regains its hold, the method Tropica recommends.

Bogwood also changes the water a little. Wood releases tannins and other organic compounds that darken and acidify the water, as Wikipedia's article on planted-tank design notes. A tea-coloured tint is the wood at work, not a fault, and regular water changes dilute it; if you prefer clear water, change water a little more often in the first weeks.

Get the light right for slow-growing plants

The plants used on wood are low-light plants, but the published figures vary a little by species and even between Tropica's own listings, so we show them side by side:

Tropica adds that Anubias thrives in shady spots where other plants struggle, which makes a piece of wood under taller plants or floating cover a good home for it. Wikipedia notes that stronger light makes Anubias grow faster and more compactly, and that it tolerates a range of lighting. Java fern tolerates dim or bright light, according to Wikipedia.

Set a light timer plan

1. Weeks one to three: 6 hours of light a day, the starting period Tropica recommends.
2. After that: increase gradually to a maximum of 8 hours a day.
3. If algae appear: cut back towards 6 hours; Tropica warns that too much light may cause algae problems.

Match temperature and water

These are tropical aquarium plants. Wikipedia gives 22–28°C for Anubias barteri, which matches a typical heated community tank. Java fern is unfussy: Wikipedia says it tolerates tap water, gravel or no gravel, and dim or bright light. Bolbitis is the most particular of the three, and Tropica says it grows best in soft, slightly acidic water.

UK tap water varies from soft to very hard by region. Anubias and Java fern cope with most of it; if your piece carries Bolbitis and your water is hard, expect slower growth. Check your water with our water matcher and read our water chemistry guide if pH and hardness are new to you. Keep these plants indoors: OATA's aquatic plants guidance asks that plants sold for aquariums are not put in ponds, and a British pond falls far below the 22–28°C that Anubias prefers.

Check three things before you buy

1. Temperature: is the tank heated to 22–28°C?
2. Space: does the tank have room for a 4–6 inch piece of wood with plants up to about 25 cm tall? Our tank volume calculator helps you size the tank.
3. Light: can you keep the light to 6–8 hours on a timer?

Feed slow growers sparingly

Slow-growing plants need little fertiliser. Tropica's care guide suggests adding liquid fertiliser once plant growth is in full swing, starting below the recommended dose and raising it gradually as the plants respond. Pale or transparent leaves are its sign that plants need more nutrients. Tropica's listings give Java fern a low CO₂ demand and Anubias a low to medium one; of the three, only Bolbitis is noted to grow considerably faster with added CO₂.

If shrimp or snails share the tank, check every product before dosing. OATA's shrimp and snail care sheet warns that these invertebrates die if exposed even to low levels of copper. Tropica says its own fertilisers have been tested as safe with shrimp.

Build a light fertiliser routine

1. Wait: let the plants settle for the first weeks before adding fertiliser.
2. Start low: dose below the label's recommendation.
3. Watch: pale or see-through new leaves mean the plants need a little more.
4. Hold back: if algae spread on the leaves, reduce the dose, as Tropica advises.

Keep algae off long-lived leaves

Slow growth has one drawback. Tropica explains that Anubias leaves live for several years, which gives slow-growing algae time to settle on them. Its care guide lists the early signs of algae (cloudy water, a film on glass, leaves or decoration, or fine threads) and the remedies: water changes, less fertiliser, more fast-growing plants and algae-eating animals. It names overfeeding fish as the most common cause. Wikipedia's article on planted-tank design agrees that algae mostly comes from excess nutrients and waste, and notes that algae-eating fish, shrimp and snails are widely used to control it.

Use a weekly algae routine

Our algae control guide explains the causes in more detail.

Choose animals that share the wood

Plants on wood suit almost any peaceful tropical tank. Tropica notes that herbivorous fish do not eat Anubias, which makes it a good choice where fish nibble plants, and Wikipedia describes Java fern as more snail-resistant. The leaves and roots give shrimp and small fish cover and grazing surfaces.

Ask four questions before stocking

1. Is the tank heated? The plants need 22–28°C; check each animal's own range too.
2. Is there an algae grazer? Slow-growing leaves stay cleaner with shrimp, snails or Otocinclus.
3. Are treatments copper-free? Shrimp and snails cannot tolerate copper.
4. Is the tank stocked sensibly? Fewer fish means less waste and less algae; our stocking calculator helps.

Browse our fish for planted tanks and cherry shrimp, and read our shrimp-keeping guide, Amano shrimp care guide and nerite snail care guide.

Trim, divide and grow it on

Because these plants grow slowly, trimming is occasional. Tropica's care guide asks keepers to remove dead plant material as soon as possible. Anubias flowers frequently under water, according to Tropica, so do not be surprised to see a flower spike on your piece. Over time, plants on wood can be divided: Tropica says Java fern and Bolbitis are propagated by splitting the horizontal rhizome, and Wikipedia says Anubias barteri can be divided the same way or by separating side shoots. Java fern also produces small plantlets from the tips and edges of mature leaves, which Wikipedia notes can drift off to a new spot once the mother leaf detaches.

Divide a rhizome in four steps

1. Choose: pick a section of rhizome with several leaves and its own roots.
2. Cut: use clean, sharp scissors to separate it from the main plant.
3. Attach: tie the new piece to a stone or wood with fishing line until it holds, as Tropica recommends.
4. Dispose: put unwanted trimmings in the compost or garden waste, never in a pond, stream or drain.

OATA's Plant Wise guidance asks every keeper never to release aquarium plants into the wild and to dispose of plant material where it cannot reach rivers, streams or lakes. For more plants, browse our aquarium plants, the Aquarium Plants category and our mosses and portions, and read our live plants guide for beginners.

Answer aquarium plants on bogwood buying questions

Do I need to plant it in gravel?

No. Stand the wood on the substrate. The plants grow on the wood, and their rhizomes rot if buried, as Tropica warns.

Which plant will I receive?

The species varies from piece to piece. The piece in our photograph carries an Anubias; other pieces may carry a different rhizome plant such as Java fern.

Does it need CO2?

Not for Anubias or Java fern, which have low to medium CO2 needs on Tropica's listings. Added CO2 considerably speeds up Bolbitis.

How much light does it need?

Low to medium light. Tropica suggests 6 hours a day for the first three weeks, then up to 8 hours.

Will my fish eat it?

Tropica says herbivorous fish do not eat Anubias, and Wikipedia describes Java fern as resistant to snails.

Why has my water turned slightly brown?

Wood releases tannins that tint and slightly acidify the water. It is normal, and regular water changes dilute it.

What are the black spots under Java fern leaves?

They are sporangia, the fern's reproductive organs, not a disease, according to Tropica.

Can I put it in a pond or an unheated tank?

No. These are tropical plants; Anubias prefers 22–28°C, and OATA asks that aquarium plants stay out of ponds.

Consult the care references

• Tropica: Anubias barteri var. nana and Tropica: Anubias barteri nana on mangrove wood: origin, height, growth, light and CO₂, rhizome care, herbivorous fish, algae on long-lived leaves and flowering.
• Tropica: Microsorum pteropus: height, growth, light, attaching to wood, rhizome care, division and sporangia.
• Tropica: Bolbitis heudelotii on wood: origin, height, light, CO₂, water preference and division.
• Tropica guide: Get the right start, Tropica guide: Care and Tropica guide: FAQ: light hours, water changes, fertiliser, algae and rinsing new plants.
• Wikipedia: Anubias barteri: range, temperature, light response and propagation.
• Wikipedia: Leptochilus pteropus (Java fern): accepted name, range, habitat, plantlets and tolerance of aquarium conditions.
• Wikipedia: Aquascaping: tannins from wood, lighting and the causes and control of algae.
• OATA: Aquatic plants and OATA: How to be Plant Wise: keeping aquarium plants out of ponds and the wild, and disposal.
• OATA: How to look after freshwater shrimp and snails: copper warning for invertebrates.