What aquarium plants cascade downwards when they grow?

[BetterWithBettas]

I am looking to buy some plants to put in a small 20 litre aquarium. I have my hardscape and my substrate-planted plants in there already and also wanted to plant some trailing-type/cascading-type plants into these :

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I am planning to put them in the back wall of the aquarium. I have a few trailing plants in other aquariums (unsure of names sorry) but they tend to grow upwards. So I am looking for ones that tend to grow downwards to create a planted wall effect!

Here is the tank. I'll be moving the breederbox to the left wakl of the tank with the filter and heater to make room for the planter cups at the back of the tank. (I have some pothos and other house plants in there as an additional to my mechincal filter )

Any ideas/suggestions much appreciated

 

[FishGuest5123]

Rotala Rotundifolia will if you let it grow to the surface. It will then cascade downward. I’m not sure what temps are best for it though.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Anacharis will grow down if you direct them.

When they reach the surface of the water, they will usually grow downwards.

 

[BetterWithBettas]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! So if I place the planter cup close to the waters surface this will encourage these two plants to grow downwards?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! So if I place the planter cup close to the waters surface this will encourage these two plants to grow downwards?

If you want to use those, then yes. Place them 2 - 3 inches under the surface. Please the Anacharis stem (or plant of your choice) in the holder. It may take a while for the plant to get adjusted, but once it does, it will grow down. I will upload a picture of one of my Anacharis stems that is trying to grow down, tomorrow.

 

[StevenF]

I would also recommend anacharis. But I would get a single long branch of it , clip both ends, and then place is horizontally along the substrate and back wall of the tank. Use rocks or metal weights to hold it down. I will grow new root into the substrate and new branches will form along it. Those will grow up to the surface. Clip any stem that reaches the surface. Replant or discard the clippings. The clipping will encourage new branches to grow and eventually they will cover the back wall.

In my experience Anacharis floats so and it won't grow down. It will however send roots down to the substrate. A single branch can grow to about 3 feet long.

 

[BetterWithBettas]

I would also recommend anacharis. But I would get a single long branch of it , clip both ends, and then place is horizontally along the substrate and back wall of the tank. Use rocks or metal weights to hold it down. I will grow new root into the substrate and new branches will form along it. Those will grow up to the surface. Clip any stem that reaches the surface. Replant or discard the clippings. The clipping will encourage new branches to grow and eventually they will cover the back wall.

In my experience Anacharis floats so and it won't grow down. It will however send roots down to the substrate. A single branch can grow to about 3 feet long.

That is a really good idea! Thanks!

I also just thought that I could make a moss wall with mesh too

 

[EllRog]

That is a really good idea! Thanks!

I also just thought that I could make a moss wall with mesh too

Glue a strip of mesh to the back wall of the tank and then glue some thin bunches of weeping moss to it, can also add some java moss too for a lovely look. It's a future plan of mine with a tank I'm in the middle of rescaping. Would fill in nicely behind the anacharis that @PheonixKingZ and @StevenF have suggested which I also agree with, can never have too much anacharis!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Here is one of mine that is trying to grow down:

The top broke off and it’s now growing like that. Once the plant has time to establish and to reach the surface, they will start to grow down.

 

[shaurdav]

I use anacharis. I would take one long branch, secure both ends, and then place it horizontally along the substrate and back wall of the tank. Use rocks or metal weights to hold it up. I will grow a new root into the substrate, and new branches will grow on it. Those will rise to the surface. Trim off any stem that reaches the surface. Repot or discard the prunings. Pruning will encourage new branches to grow, and eventually, they will cover the back wall. I bought almost all of my aquarium plants at aquarzon.com. It's the one I recommend.