Tissue Culture Plants for the Aquarium

Tissue culture cups and packages are becoming a more and more common way to find plants for sale these days, and for very good reasons! Tissue culture plants are started in an absolutely sterile environment and therefore can grow faster and stronger than their traditionally grown counterparts that must compete with pests and pathogens. At the same time, it allows the grower to bring absolutely completely clean, healthy plants directly to the end user, and the packaging is shelf stable for long periods, allowing the retailer to manage their plant stock for longer periods of time, whether they are good with aquarium plants or not.  For all these reasons, Florida Aquatic Nurseries is happy to be able to provide a wide range of tissue culture plants to our customers!

When customers first see a package of tissue culture plants, the first reaction is often, “That’s a lot of money for such a tiny package!  I can buy a big bunch plant for half that amount!”  But the fact of the matter is, that there are many, MANY plants in each tissue culture package, and each is robust and healthy, poised for fast growth as soon as it is planted into your aquarium and given good growing conditions!

When you first remove your tissue culture plants from their cup or package, they will likely have a jelly like substance, called agar, around their roots.  This should be washed away under cool, running water. It is safe to wash this right down the drain.  It will dissolve completely. Some plants will come in a liquid nutritional solution, and this is even easier to rinse off!

Next, carefully divide your small tissue culture plants into small groups for planting.  You will find that there are quite a few plants in each group. I suggest preparing all your plants first, and arranging them on a tray.  Keep them damp and covered with a piece of plastic wrap until you are ready to plant. Tissue culture plants are small, and their roots are also small.  It is generally easiest to plant them using aquascaping pinsettes.  

Be patient, but if you start with all TC plants, you will be pleasantly surprised that you have introduced no pest algae, no snails, and no pest plants like duck weed or Utricularia gibba into your tank. Before long, you will be enjoying a gorgeous, trouble-free aquarium. So don’t be afraid of tissue culture plants, give them a try!

Above are two tanks planted entirely with tissue culture plants, first on the day they were planted, then about six weeks later.