Plants for Discus Aquariums
Plants that tolerate high temperatures (28–30°C)
Echinodorus (Amazon Sword)
Echinodorus bleheri
The IDEAL genus for discus — hardy, beautiful, native to the Amazon. The #1 recommended plant.
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Anubias
Anubias barteri
An indestructible plant — needs no substrate, ties onto wood/rock. Hardy at 28–30°C.
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Java Fern
Microsorum pteropus
A hardy aquatic fern — ties onto wood, needs no substrate, tolerates 29°C perfectly.
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Vallisneria (Eelgrass)
Vallisneria spp.
Long vertical leaves — natural shade, fast growth, handles 28–30°C with no trouble.
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Cryptocoryne Wendtii
Cryptocoryne wendtii
A hardy midground plant with color varieties — tolerates high temperatures of 28–29°C.
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Amazon Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum
A floating plant ideal for an Amazonian biotope — diffused shade that reduces discus stress.
View details →The high temperature in a discus tank (28–30°C) rules out most popular aquarium plants from the start. Glossostigma, HC Cuba, Cabomba or Alternanthera melt or stall above 27°C. By contrast, plants from the Amazon basin and the hardy Asian species thrive at discus temperatures — these are the plants you'll find in this encyclopedia.
The selection includes Echinodorus (Amazon Sword) — the #1 plant for an Amazonian biotope, Anubias and Microsorum pteropus (Java Fern) — indestructible, tie onto wood with no substrate, Vallisneria for natural shade, Cryptocoryne Wendtii for the midground and Amazon Frogbit for the surface. All can be kept without injected CO2, with weekly liquid fertilizer and root tabs. Each plant has a profile with parameters, recommended substrate, light level and compatibility notes.
Discus Encyclopedia — FAQ
Here you'll find the verified plants that tolerate the high temperatures in discus tanks. Some thrive at 28°C, others are limited to 29°C. The list includes popular plants like Anubias, Java Fern, Echinodorus, Vallisneria and Cryptocoryne.