Best Background Plants for Tall and Deep Planted Aquariums

Have a tall or deep planted aquarium and wondering which plants are best for the background? Choosing the right background plants can make your tank look lush, natural, and well-layered. But not all plants grow tall enough or spread wide enough to fill the back of a big tank.

Why Are Background Plants Important in Tall Aquariums

Tall and deep tanks give you more space to create vertical beauty, but they also need plants that:

• Grow tall enough to reach the surface or cover the back wall.

• Create depth and contrast in your aquascape.

• Hide equipment like heaters, filters, or pipes.

• Provide shelter and a sense of security to fish.

• Improve water quality by absorbing nutrients and reducing algae.

  
  

Best Background Plants for Tall & Deep Tanks 

1. Vallisneria (Vallisneria spiralis / americana)

One of the easiest and best plants for tall tanks. It grows long, ribbon-like leaves that reach the water surface.

✔ Grows super tall and spreads fast.

✔ Great for background walls and creating a natural curtain effect.

✔ Beginner-friendly and low maintenance.

❌ Can take over the tank if not trimmed regularly.

2. Amazon Sword (Echinodorus amazonicus)

A classic favorite for planted tanks. This plant grows large, broad leaves that fill up empty spaces.

✔ Perfect for deep tanks – grows up to 20-24 inches.

✔ Adds a bold, leafy look to the background.

✔ Ideal for low to medium light setups.

❌ Needs root tabs or nutrient-rich substrate for best growth.

3. Hygrophila corymbosa / Hygrophila stricta

Fast-growing and bushy, this plant adds a green vertical look to tall tanks.

✔ Easy to grow, even for beginners.

✔ Can be trimmed and shaped as needed.

✔ Looks great in groups at the back.

❌ Needs regular pruning – it grows fast!

4. Limnophila sessiliflora

A soft and feathery background plant that grows tall and gives a gentle jungle feel.

✔ Grows quickly in medium to high light.

✔ Great for filling tall spaces and adding texture.

✔ Can be used in bunches for dense planting.

❌ Needs trimming often to avoid blocking light.

5. Bacopa caroliniana

A sturdy, slow-growing plant with thick green stems and rounded leaves.

✔ Grows tall with proper lighting.

✔ Adds a clean, structured look to the tank.

✔ Easy to propagate – just cut and replant.

❌ Slow grower – not for fast scaping goals.

6. Ludwigia repens / Ludwigia palustris

Want a pop of red or orange in your background? Ludwigia is a great pick!

✔ Grows 12–20 inches tall with bright red tones under high light.

✔ Creates a colorful contrast against green plants.

✔ Easy to grow with moderate care.

❌ Needs good lighting and iron-rich fertilizer for best color.

7. Cabomba caroliniana

A fine-leaved, bushy plant that looks beautiful in motion.

✔ Grows tall and thick, perfect for background cover.

✔ Great oxygenator and fish love to hide in it.

✔ Adds a soft, textured feel to your tank.

❌ Needs stable water conditions and decent lighting.

8. Rotala rotundifolia / Rotala indica

This plant grows tall and turns pinkish-red under strong light.

✔ Great for tall tanks and layering background.

✔ Adds variety in leaf shape and color.

✔ Looks amazing in bunches.

❌ May melt in poor lighting – likes high light and nutrients.

Tips for Planting in Tall Tanks 

• Use root tabs or plant-specific substrate to feed root-heavy plants like Amazon Swords.

• Trim regularly to keep the plants from blocking light for midground and foreground plants.

• Group the same plant types for a natural, clean look.

• Leave space behind the plants so fish can swim and hide.

• Add CO₂ and liquid ferts for faster growth (optional for low-light tanks).

Choosing the right background plants for tall and deep aquariums makes a huge difference! It helps create a layered aquascape, adds height and balance, and gives your fish a peaceful, natural home.

Best for beginners- Vallisneria, Amazon Sword, Bacopa.

Best for color- Ludwigia, Rotala.

Best for jungle effect- Limnophila, Cabomba.