PLANTING FOR YOUR VIVARIUM OR PALUDARIUM

Steve Martin

Many beginners to our hobby experience difficulties keeping their plants alive, due to them buying houseplants from garden centres or DIY stores. Whilst these plants are suitable for growing in the conditions found in the home, because our vivaria are subjected to high levels of humidity and a poor airflow, they soon rot leaving a soggy mess and botrytis, grey mould.

Well, don't despair, there are plenty of suitable plants available, but the best place to look for them is in an aquarist's shop. Most of the plants offered to the aquarist are gathered from the margins of ponds, lakes and rivers because of which many grow very well in our vivaria. However, they cannot simply be planted to thrive.

Firstly, set up a glass tank in your frog room and half fill it with water. Pot up the plants and submerge them fully. Allow the water level to drop through evaporation until the plants have become exposed. You will notice that their growth type will change, the leaves will become more rigid and the leaf patterns may change. Once the plants are growing well, they can be transplanted into the Vivarium. Suitable plants for this type of treatment are listed below, and many are currently growing in my tanks.

Microsorium pteropus, Java Fern.

Aponogetum, most of this family grow well in vivaria.

Sagitaria subulata.

Most Echinodorus do well, particularly Echinodorus bleheri and magdalenensis, which will cover the base like a mat with luck.

Cryptocoryne species. Most will grow well and produce lily like flowers that will seed themselves in permanently wet ground.

Ceratopteris thalictroides, can get very big!

Vesicularia dubyana, Java Moss will spread to wood and bark with a lush mossy covering.

 Anubia nana grows well in the shade.

All of these plants require medium to high humidity so should receive regular spraying. If they can receive splashes from waterfalls or overhead watering systems, they will flourish and reproduce. If you operate waterfalls, remember that these plants do not appreciate strong water movement around their roots, which is why it is better to start them off in small mesh pots.