Want a plant that looks like nothing else in the tank? Banana Plant grows from a cluster of thick, banana-shaped tubers sitting on the substrate, sending up round lily-like leaves on long stalks. The tubers are the reason to buy it — they are a genuine talking point and unlike anything else you can put in an aquarium.
What You’ll Receive
Sold as 1 small bulb, either:
- With Leaf: Bulb showing one or more sprouted leaves
- Without Leaf: Dormant bulb ready to sprout under proper conditions
Plant Profile
- Common name — Banana Plant, Banana Lily
- Scientific name — Nymphoides aquatica
- Origin — Southeastern United States
- Placement — Foreground to midground
- Mature height — 4–8 in
- Growth rate — Fast
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — Low to medium
- CO₂ — Not required
- Water — 72–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5
- Substrate — Not required. Grows on plain gravel or sand
- Growth habit — Fully aquatic. Cannot be grown emersed
- Propagation — Bulb offsets, and plantlets from mature leaves
Grower’s Notes
- Never bury the tubers. Rest the bulb on top of the substrate with the tubers fully exposed — buried, they rot. Anchor it lightly if it floats, but do not push it in. This is the single rule that decides whether it lives.
- Those tubers are nutrient storage, which is why it grows well in plain gravel where other plants need root tabs.
- A dormant bulb without leaves is normal, not a defect. New growth usually appears within one to two weeks.
- It will send leaves to the surface if allowed. Cut any long-stemmed leaf at the base to keep the plant low and compact.
- Mature leaves can produce plantlets on their undersides. Let one develop roots, then detach and place it on the substrate as a new plant.
Want to go deeper? Read our guide to growing bulb plants and understanding dormancy.
Notes
- Some bulbs may arrive without leaves due to natural dormancy. This does not indicate poor health. Simply place the bulb on top of your substrate (do not bury), and new growth should emerge within 1–2 weeks under proper lighting and conditions.
- Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
At a glance
- Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
- Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
- Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
- USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
- UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
- Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
- We ship within the United States only.
Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.
The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.
How it works
- Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
- Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
- We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.
Good to know
- Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
- Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
- Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.
The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.
Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.
Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.
Customers praised these aquatic plants as "healthy" and "beautiful," noting they arrive well-packaged and adapt quickly. Most report rapid growth with new leaves and roots sprouting within days. Some concerns include occasional leaf melt during acclimation, isolated shipping damage, and rare instances of rot. Overall, shoppers recommend these unique plants for aquariums.
- Healthy and beautiful. Roots are already sprouting and I could not be happier!
- The plant is thriving very well. New sprouts already.
- After a couple weeks it has over 10 leaf stalks and a large root system.
R
These are healthy and beautiful. Roots are already sprouting and I could not be happier!
R
The plant is thriving very well. New sprouts already. Thank you all so much for exceeding my expectations and delivering quality merchandise
D
Arrived healthy
See attached pic
B
2 weeks with my banana plant and one leaf is 3" diameter already. They arrived around three 1" size leaves . I moved one of the plants to find out it has 5" root too.
L
They are very healthy and beautiful plants. Will buy more from you. Thank you so much.
J
Came well packed and healthy. Bought 2 got 1 free. They are for guppy tanks.
J
Just created my very first 5 gallon Betta tank and researched all the beginner plants I could use and I have to admit this is my most "exotic" plant I have. I am really happy I bought this plant from apf! The plant arrive healthy and is now thriving in my tank. Had absolutely no issues with my plant purchase. I will be a repeat customer!
F
I love how this plant looks in my tank, and it arrived very green and healthy with no browning. Looked like it was growing sideways when I situated it in my tank, but just the next day it's already begun to grow upwards to the light, a good sign that it's acclimating fast :)
D
Wow, quick four day service from Cali to Wisconsin. My plant arrived healthy and much larger than expected. The bananas were over an inch long.
Always satisfied from this aquarium plant company.
F
arrived quickly and in great condition. Acclimating to my tanks perfectly
T
This plant is very prolific, after two days it's already growing
K
I got this for my 10 gallon betta aquarium . It started sprouting roots & growing the same day I put it in my tank . I absolutely love it , I will definitely purchase more of these in the future .
j
I recieved what has to be the best looking banana plant I've ever seen. Very full, very healthy. Great addition to my panda cory tank.
S
I ordered two of these banana lilies for my betta tanks (June 2020). They shipped promptly and arrived when expected, and were in good shape when they got here - good color, no damage. They've been in my tanks almost 3 days now, and seem to be adjusting well. No evidence of parasite snails at this time, which is always a concern when buying plants. Before my order even arrived, I received an email letting me know that if there were any issues I was welcome to contact the seller.
E
The banana plant looks healthy and is even beginning to sprout new leaves a couple days after it arrived
A
The plant is still alive, a month after it first arrived. I noticed that if the plant's environment changes there is a good chance the leaves will die out and new foliage will grow.
g
Arrived fast and healthy! I can already see some growth
L
The banana lily arrived in good condition. They have been in the tank for 5 days and I am seeing growth in new leaves and root runners. Very pleased so far.
D
Interesting and unique plant! I received two beautiful and perfectly healthy little plants. Highly recommend ordering from aquarium plants factory.
M
Plants arrived in great shape and doing very well in the aquarium.. very happy with them.
J
Plant appears healthy enough, hoping it grows quickly.
J
I love these banana lily they make a great addition to my tank
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