Artificial plants for aquariums
Artificial aquarium plants give fish somewhere to shelter, breed or simply feel less exposed, without the lighting, substrate and feeding requirements that live planting involves. The short answer: check the plant is specifically made for aquarium use rather than a general craft or reptile-tank plant, since edges and materials that are fine dry can behave very differently once submerged.
Why cover matters, even with fake plants
Fish that feel exposed in an open tank tend to show more stress, hiding less and often looking paler or more skittish than the same fish in a well-planted setup. Artificial plants recreate that sense of cover without needing the light intensity or nutrient dosing that keeping live plants healthy requires.
Positioning them to create broken sightlines, rather than lining every plant along the back glass, gives fish more places to retreat to and can reduce squabbling between more territorial species by breaking up direct lines of sight across the tank.
Checking a plant is genuinely aquarium-safe
Only buy plants specifically sold for aquarium use, since decorations made for other purposes can use dyes, glues or plastics that were never tested for prolonged submersion and fish contact. Run a finger along every leaf edge before it goes in the tank, since a rough or sharp edge can damage a fish's fins or scales as it swims past.
Rinse new plants thoroughly under plain water before adding them, and weight down anything not already secured to a base, since a plant drifting loose can be pulled into a filter intake and damage both the plant and the equipment.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Supa Plastic Plant
An 8-inch plastic aquarium plant that adds cover without touching the water chemistry
£3.59
Supa Plastic Plant Polybag
A 6 inch plastic aquarium plant that will not fade, rot or carry anything into the tank
£2.99
Supa Condensation Tray
A 48-inch aquarium condensation tray, shielding the hood's electrics from tank water
£11.49
Aquatic Roman Gravel Jet Black
2kg jet black aquarium gravel, inert and colourfast for coldwater, tropical or marine tanks
£3.99
Pettex Aquatic Roman Gravel Natural Lakeland
Natural Lakeland-tone aquarium gravel for coldwater, tropical or saltwater tanks
From£3.99
Marina Gravel Cleaner
A Mini gravel cleaner with a gravel guard, for spot-cleaning smaller aquariums during water changes
£11.89
Pettex Aquatic Roman Gravel Blend Mix
Natural blended-colour aquarium gravel for coldwater, tropical and saltwater tanks
From£3.99
Roman Gravel Jet Black
8kg of natural jet black aquarium gravel for coldwater, tropical and saltwater set-ups
£12.49
Marina 125 Cartridge
A 2-pack of replacement power cartridges for the Marina i25 internal aquarium filter
£6.49
Common questions
- Are artificial aquarium plants safe for fish?
- Yes, as long as they are specifically made for aquarium use rather than a general decoration or a reptile-tank plant. Check every leaf edge is smooth before adding it, since sharp or rough edges on a plant made for another purpose can injure a fish's fins.
- Do I still need real plants if I have artificial ones?
- Not necessarily. Artificial plants give fish cover and structure without the lighting, substrate or feeding that live plants need, which makes them a practical choice for a lower-maintenance tank. Some keepers mix both for a more natural look, but it comes down to preference rather than a fish health requirement.
- How do I clean artificial aquarium plants?
- Remove them and rinse under plain water to clear algae and debris, using a soft brush for stubborn build-up rather than any cleaning products, which can leave residue that is harmful to fish. Regular rinsing as part of your normal tank maintenance keeps them looking better for longer.
- Can artificial plants get pulled into the filter?
- Yes, if they are not weighted down or anchored properly, especially lighter plastic varieties in a tank with a strong filter flow. Check plants are secure in their base and positioned away from the filter intake to avoid this happening.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.