Vallisneria Giganthea (Giant Vallis)
This plant just seems to grow well in the planted discus tank . Its the biggest variety of Vallisneria and will grow to the surface and then keep going making a lovely green ceiling that the fish love to be amongst. Its very happy at 30 degrees, likes strong light and a root tab gets it growing. Needs a good chop back every now and then so just scissor the tops off and it'll start growing right back. You know you've got it right when you see it producing O2. This seems to happen when the lights are on full power. Runners will emerge from the bottom and news plants will appear at regular intervals in the aquarium.
TOP TIP - Use a root tab and watch how deep its planted in the substrate.
Echinodorus Bleheri (Amazon Sword)
A great looking plant with broad long leaves in a deep green colour. They get quite large (up 60cms if you're lucky) so one for the larger aquarium but there are different varieties if you want to go smaller. This ones very easy to look after with little maintenance. Ok in low light set ups and happy at a range of temperatures. Definitely feed the roots.
TOP TIP - Another one that enjoys a root tab.
Echinodorus Chrileni
Another one that just seems to do well at these temperatures. Its a discus fish aquarium plants with large oval leaves and some good colour variation. A nice 30 cm high compact plant which grows quickly at high temps and has little demands on water parameters. Another one that likes a root tab, seems lighting levels are not so important for this one.
If its going well this will flower by sending a long stem up to the surface. This then turns into a number of new baby plants which you can replant.
TOP TIP - There are none, its just an easy and great looking plant.
Nymphaea Stellata (Tiger Lotus)
A beautiful bulb that develops with lovely brown/red leaves. The leaves quickly reach the surface of the aquarium and provide excellent cover for the fish. I dont think they like too much surface movement. It grows in a wide range of water conditions and seems to enjoy the warmer Discus temperature.
TOP TIP - Do not push the bulb into the substrate just sit on the surface and watch it grow.
Dracaena Sanderiana (Lucky Bamboo)
Depending on what look you want for your aquarium some discus fish aquarium plants can grow out of the top of the tank. One that seems happy is Lucky Bamboo. This should have the leaves out of the water. Its easy to grow, low light is fine and its doing well. These plants help use up nitrates and can be used to hide filter intake and heaters.
TOP TIP - The roots seem fine in or out of the substrate.