

According to most experienced plant owners, a common type of algae that grows on plants is “Black Beard Algae.” This can also be an explanation for the leaves of your plant to appear black. AlgaeĪlgae is another issue that can plague aquarium plants. If the pH is too high or too low, it can affect plant health. Additionally, water in an aquarium should be as close to neutral as possible. Usually, your plants will start changing color and dying if there’s too much ammonia in the water. When it comes to your aquarium, water quality refers more to the makeup of your water, including levels of pH, ammonia, and so on. Water quality is also very important in your tank for both plant and fish health. The process is similar to that of algae blooms, where excess nutrients can cause too much growth of bacteria. Blackening leaves, however, can be a sign of excess phosphorus. If your plant has a nitrogen or potassium deficiency, it will likely start to show yellowing leaves. However, the main ones are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. There are multiple nutrients that are necessary to a plant’s health. Inadequate nutrient levels are a major issue for all plants (aquatic or not). (Photo on the left is an example of a properly lit aquarium with healthy plants, Photo 112736358 / fish © Pleprakaymas | ) Nutrients Additionally, you should build-up to this length of light exposure when you start growing plants to prevent algae blooms. Some specialists claim that you should give your tank no more than 8 hours of light a day. However, some owners can also use too much light.


For most plant owners, the issue usually revolves around there not being enough of the right kind of light. Light is among the most common issues among aquarium plants. While the precise reasons why your plants are turning black will depend on your tank, there are some problems that are especially common among newer plant owners. How Problems with Your Plants Affect Your FishĪs I mentioned, there are many things that could be causing your aquatic plants to turn black.
