Start with plants that forgive low light and missed fertiliser, and add the demanding ones later.
The fastest way to give up on plants is to start with the difficult ones. These seven grow in almost any tank.
On wood and stone
Anubias and java fern attach to hardscape and need no substrate at all. Tie them on with thread and never bury the rhizome.
In the substrate
Amazon sword and vallisneria fill the background. Cryptocoryne covers the middle and may melt in the first fortnight; leave it alone and it returns.
Fast stems
Rotala and hygrophila grow quickly, soak up nutrients and starve algae. Trim the tops and replant them.
Three rules
Plant heavily from the first day. Run the light for six hours, not ten. Change a third of the water every week.
