Kamon

I'm interesting in looking around our farm (in Kentucky) for plants I can grow in my aquarium. I don't really know what plants would be common for my state or which plants I'd need to be looking for.

Can anyone help?

mudboots

You'll want to look in wetland areas and within flowing streams. Caution though, as there are many plants that simply will not grow submersed, even if they are obligate wetland plants. Some of the ludwigia species, a few eleocharis species, and one juncus (Juncus repens) will grow submersed and are generally widespread. You might even find a moss or two that will work. Others you may run in to that would work will be bacopa species and marsilea, or you may even try a local lake or pond and see if there's anything growing in there you're interested in. Check out or even make a post in the local biotopes section for ideas on where to "ditch dive" and to show what you find in your area.

As far as getting enough aquatics to start an aquarium off right (if this is a new aquarium) you'll do well to post a WTB on the for sale or trade forum. You never know when you'll either find or be offered a RAOK package (free or relatively cheap plants, plus shipping costs).

Tausendblatt

In any permanent body of water, you should find a couple potamogeton species, perhaps one or more of these other true aquatics:

bladderwort
hornwort
elodea
milfoil
callitriche (along the shore of PONDS, in streams)
hemianthus/ HM (mostly in the south)
hippuris (mostly in the north)
duckweed

and much much more! I thought there were almost no native aquatic plants in my area... But after searching around for the summer, I found about 20 unique species!

Bert H

Check out: http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/navigation.aspx?cid=361, especially the link to the University of Florida center for aquatic and invasive plants.

jamesstill84

I'm from KY too. Where about are you? I'm in Winchester. I can't seem to find a place around here to get plants either. I live next to the KY river, but at this point in the river, it's pretty dirty...

I know there are various sword plants that grow above water that you can acclimate to underwater conditions, but I'm not sure which plants would be found in KY.