Aquatic Banana Plants

Aquarium plants such as the banana plant can remove fish waste and can increase the oxygen content of the aquarium for free. Many aquarium owners get banana plants because they like the unique shapes of the banana-shaped roots and the heart-shaped leaves. These plants are not difficult to take care of and do not have high lighting or nutrient demands. When adding the plants to the aquarium, be careful because they are more fragile than terrestrial plants.

Banana plants are Rosette plants. They are the only members of this group that grow in aquariums because of their hardiness. The banana plant is a perennial. Aquatic banana plants are aquarium plants that need a moderate amount of care. When you get the banana plant, check for any broken leaves and remove them. When removing the leaf, remove part of the stem. This plant cannot heal broken leaves. This plant can reproduce asexually by pressing one of its leaves into the substrate and leaving that leaf behind, creating a separate plant. They create new plants every four to five days.

In nature, the banana plant can be found in the southeastern United States. Fortunately, the banana plant can adapt to most water conditions. This plant can survive either fully submerged in water or partially submerged. Banana plants thrive in temperatures ranging from 68 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, though they might adapt to other temperatures. The ideal pH range for banana plants is 6.0 to 7.2. The banana plant prefers deep water and moderate to high lighting. You can provide for the plant's lighting needs with high quality LED lights. The plant should ideally receive 12 hours of light a day.

Banana plants are best placed in the front of the aquarium so that visitors can see their roots. The banana plant color ranges from green to reddish-brown. Some develop reddish-brown spots all over their otherwise green bodies. They can have purple undersides and red stems. The banana plant is also known as the big, floating heart because of the shape of the leaves. The leaves on the banana plant get as high as 12 centimeters. The plant can reach 6 inches tall.

The roots of the banana plant look like bananas and do not fully root themselves. These banana-shaped roots can store large quantities of nutrients for the plant. Only one fourth of the plant's roots dig into the substrate. You can plant them more deeply, but then you cannot see the roots, which make this plant distinct. Owners can simply place the banana plant on the substrate and it will plant itself.