With the decrease in light and temperature associated with autumn, it is essential to choose plants that are hardy, low-maintenance, and capable of thriving in variable conditions. Here are the ideal varieties:
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Anubias: hardy and low-maintenance, it is perfect when light diminishes. It does not need to be planted in the substrate: it attaches to wood or rock and maintains its beauty even on short days.
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Microsorum pteropus (Java Fern): long-lived and resistant, it grows well even in autumn conditions, helping to create a natural "jungle" effect.
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Java Fern and Java Moss: ideal for colder environments, these are low-maintenance plants that require very little care and find their ideal home on natural elements in the setup.
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Riccia fluitans, Salvinia natans, and Pistia: perfect for autumn floating carpets. Riccia tolerates temperatures between 10 and 28 °C, while Salvinia and Pistia help filter nutrients and protect against excessive light when scarce.
Enhance your aquarium naturally… with AQPet style
To showcase these hardy plants in an autumn layout, you can use natural, impactful woods:
- Insert a Zen Bonsai Wood, a handcrafted wood designed to mimic the shape of a bonsai with intricate branches — it becomes an excellent "stage" for anubias or microsorum. It is essential to soak it for about 15 days to release tannins and prevent water discoloration.
- Alternatively, choose Dragon Wood: with its natural holes and dark color, it becomes a perfect support for mosses and ferns, adding a wild and sophisticated touch to your autumn layout. This also needs to be soaked for about two weeks before setup.
- Finally, if you want to create an autumn forest scene rich in detail, the Zen Bonsai Forest, with its trunk and exuberant branches, offers the ideal space to attach ferns, mosses, or Riccia.
Extra tips for a successful autumn setup
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Arrange larger plants like Anubias and Microsorum on wood (such as the AQPet ones described above), creating shaded areas and natural hiding places for fish.
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Use floating plants like Riccia or Salvinia to temper excess light and nutrients.
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Consider gentle lighting (e.g., warm LED lights) to enhance the autumn colors of the plants: less intensity and reduced timing compensate for scarcer natural light.