Ideal for Nature Aquarium, jungle, riverbank, betta, and low-tech aquascapes
Its rounded lily-like leaves and visible banana-shaped roots create a soft natural accent in the foreground or midground.
Perfect for beginner planted tanks
This plant is easy to grow and adapts well to many aquarium conditions without demanding high-tech equipment.
Distinctive banana-shaped roots
The thick green storage roots make this species instantly recognizable and different from regular stem plants or rosette plants.
Can stay compact or grow floating leaves
With trimming, Banana Plant can remain a small accent plant, but under good conditions it may send lily-like leaves toward the water surface.
Excellent contrast beside fine-textured plants
Its rounded leaves pair well with plants such as Marsilea hirsuta, Rotala indica, Bacopa caroliniana, Anubias barteri, Java fern, and mosses.
Origin: Southeastern United States
Type: Rooted lily-type aquatic plant
Growth Rate: Moderate
Size: Height: 5–15 cm (2–6 in) compact growth; floating leaves may reach the water surface
Natural Habitat: Nymphoides aquatica grows in slow-moving waters, ponds, marshes, and shallow wetlands where it anchors into soft substrate and can produce floating leaves in calm conditions.
Special Considerations: Do not fully bury the banana-shaped storage roots. Only the fine roots should be gently planted into the substrate while the banana-like roots remain mostly visible. If buried too deeply, the plant may rot. Floating leaves can be trimmed if you want to keep the plant compact.
Did You Know? Banana Plant gets its common name from the thick green storage roots that look like a small bunch of bananas. These roots help the plant store nutrients and make it one of the most recognizable aquarium plants.
Tank Size: Suitable for aquariums 20 L (5 gallons) or larger, including nano tanks.
Plant Placement: Best used as a foreground to midground accent plant where the banana-shaped roots can remain visible. It pairs naturally with foreground plants such as Marsilea hirsuta, attached plants such as Anubias barteri and Java fern, and background stems such as Rotala indica or Bacopa caroliniana for a layered planted aquarium look.
Compatibility: Suitable for peaceful freshwater aquariums with bettas, tetras, rasboras, gouramis, Corydoras, shrimp, and snails. The soft leaves can provide resting spots for small fish, while shrimp may graze on biofilm around the plant.
Substrate: Can be grown in sand, gravel, or planted aquarium soil. In inert substrates, root fertilizer capsules can help support stronger growth. Keep the banana-shaped storage roots above the substrate and gently anchor only the fine roots.
Light: Low to medium lighting recommended. Stronger light may encourage faster growth and floating leaves.
Temperature: 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water
CO₂: Not required. CO₂ may improve growth, but Banana Plant grows well in low-tech aquariums without added CO₂.
Care & Propagation: Remove older or damaged leaves as needed. Long floating leaves can be trimmed near the base to keep the plant compact. Healthy plants may produce new growth points over time, and established sections can be separated carefully when developed.
Portion Size: 1 carefully selected Banana Plant, freshly packed and ready for aquarium planting.
Plant Size: Plants are usually small to medium size with visible banana-shaped storage roots and healthy green leaves.
Plant Type: Rooted aquatic accent plant, ready to plant directly into aquarium substrate.
Snail-Free & Aquarium Safe: Plants are grown without chemicals that could harm fish, shrimp, or other aquarium inhabitants and are carefully inspected to ensure they are snail-free.
Transition After Shipping: Some leaves may melt, yellow, or change appearance after planting as the plant adapts to new aquarium conditions. This is a normal transition and healthy new growth should develop once the plant settles.
Planting Guide
- Remove the protective plastic packaging.
- Rinse the plant gently with clean water.
- Place the banana-shaped storage roots on top of the substrate.
- Gently push only the fine roots into the substrate.
- Do not fully bury the banana-shaped roots.
- Position the plant where it has room to develop leaves.
- If the plant floats out, anchor the fine roots slightly deeper while keeping the banana-shaped roots visible.
Tip
Aquascaping tweezers from our aquascaping tool set can make planting easier and help position the fine roots without burying the banana-shaped storage roots.
