Why are my aquarium plants dying?
Written by
Victoria Hayes
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.The decline of aquarium plants is clearly indicated in various ways. Plants with "melting leaves" suffer from =instability of water parameters. "Yellowing between veins" indicates iron deficiency. "Stunting of growth" often suggests light and/or CO₂ insufficiency. Recognising such signs before plants are dead enables remedial action to be taken to restore plants to good health.
Nutrient Deficiencies
- Iron shortage shows as yellow leaves with green veins
- Potassium deficiency creates pinholes in mature leaves
- Nitrogen lack causes overall pale coloration
Environmental Stressors
- Low light leads to leggy growth and leaf drop
- pH swings above 7.8 cause calcium lockout
- Cold temperatures below 68°F slow metabolism
Adjust lighting the right way to meet the needs of the plant. Low-light species, such as Anubias, only require 6-8 hours of light per day. More demanding plants will require 10-12 hours of light with some PAR exceeding 100 μmol/m²/s. A timer will help keep things on schedule. Clean your light fixture(s) every month to maintain the proper light intensity.
To fix planting mistakes that may cause die-off, do not bury the rhizomes of Anubias or Java Fern. It is important that carpeting plants are in contact with the substrate and not compacted. Stem plants should be planted at a depth of 5 - 8 cm. Lastly, the requirement for floating plants is that they need an open surface area.
Be careful to balance nutrient dosing. Overdosing will cause plants to be choked with algae. Underdosing is starving growth. Do you dose your liquid fertilizers after water changes? Put root tabs next to heavy feeders. Test your water weekly until you get the right NPK ratios for your planted tank.
Your plants recover when conditions stabilize. New growth appears in 1-2 weeks after corrections. Remove dead leaves promptly. Be patient as plants rebuild root systems. Consistent care prevents future decline.
Read the full article: Essential Aquarium Plant Care Guide
