Best Plants for a Nano Aquarium (and How to Feed Them)
Small tanks show every detail. The right compact plants keep a nano in proportion, and careful dosing keeps it stable.
In a nano tank, plant choice matters more than in a big tank. A single sword plant can swallow a 20-litre aquarium in a month. Compact, slow-growing plants keep everything in scale and cut down on trimming. And because small volumes change quickly, gentle, accurate feeding is the key to keeping a nano clear and healthy.
Plants that stay small
Look for compact rosette plants that won’t outgrow the tank:
- Cryptocoryne parva and wendtii ‘Mini’ for small, tidy clumps
- Cryptocoryne cordata for the midground in slightly larger nanos
- Schismatoglottis prietoi for compact, glossy leaves
Foreground plants for depth
A low foreground makes a small tank look deeper. Dwarf hairgrass (Eleocharis), Marsilea hirsuta and Littorella uniflora all stay short. Marsilea and Littorella are the most forgiving without CO₂.
Plants for wood and stone
Epiphytes are perfect for nanos because they grow on hardscape and take up no substrate space. Anubias ‘Mini Coin’ or ‘Petite’, Bucephalandra and mosses add detail at any height and need very little light.
| Plant | Position | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Cryptocoryne parva | Foreground | Easy, slow |
| Marsilea hirsuta | Carpet | Easy |
| Eleocharis (dwarf hairgrass) | Carpet | Medium |
| Anubias ‘Mini Coin’ | On wood or stone | Easy |
| Bucephalandra | On wood or stone | Easy, slow |
| Christmas or java moss | Anywhere | Easy |
How to feed plants in a nano tank
Small tanks are easy to overdose, so measure accurately. The PPS-Pro dose is 1ml per 10 litres of each bottle daily, which keeps the maths simple:
| Tank size | Full dose (each bottle) | Low-tech half dose |
|---|---|---|
| 10 litres | 1ml | 0.5ml |
| 20 litres | 2ml | 1ml |
| 30 litres | 3ml | 1.5ml |
Use the dosing syringe for accuracy, and use the actual water volume rather than the tank’s quoted size. Substrate and hardscape take up a surprising amount of space in a small tank.
Change one thing at a time and keep water changes regular. In a nano, a little goes a long way, both good and bad.
Many nanos are shrimp tanks. If that’s you, see our guide to the best plants for shrimp tanks and always use copper-free plant food.
Quick answers
What are the best plants for a nano aquarium?
Compact crypts, low carpets such as Marsilea, and epiphytes such as Anubias ‘Mini Coin’, Bucephalandra and moss.
How much fertiliser should I use in a 20 litre tank?
With PPS-Pro, 2ml of each bottle daily, or 1ml in a low-light tank.
Do nano tanks need CO₂?
No. Most nano plants grow well without it, and CO₂ is harder to keep stable in small volumes.
How often should I change water in a nano tank?
Around 20 to 30% weekly keeps small tanks stable.
Products mentioned in this guide
Both bottles already mixed for you. Shake, measure 1ml per 10 litres and dose. No scales, no spoons.
Shrimp safeThe copper-free trace element blend for your micro bottle. Safe for shrimp, snails and other invertebrates.
Best valueEverything to start dosing on day one: pre-measured macro and micro compounds, two 500ml bottles, two dosing syringes and a full dosing guide.
Copper-free aquarium plant food.
Dose on day one.
Pre-measured compounds, bottles, syringes and a full dosing guide. Shrimp safe, made in the UK, free UK delivery on every order.
Everything you need to get the most from your planted aquarium.
