Non-aquatic plants they try to sell you

Dwarf Puffers

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Dec 11, 2006
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NS, Canada
I think we've all been there. We walk into the local chain store browsin' around looking for a fish, when we see THE plant. Good color, quite big, awesome shape... You run to the nearest LFS employee and ask for a dozen. But when you go home, you go camera happy taking new pics, and show off your new plant, you are informed it will probably rought in a few weeks, because it is not truely aquatic. Now, you're probably feeling scammed, and rightfully so. This is what this thread is for. I'll start.

Mondo grass plant, Ophiopogen japonicus

Mondomondo.jpg
 
the big chain stores sell small plastic tube containers with many types of ferns which are not aquatic. another non aquatic plant i see being sold often is green hedge. also bamboo which can only have the lower half submerged for it to live. peace lilly is quite common as well.
 
I feel for ya... I did the same thing with Mondo grass. I've pretty much totally given up on plants from the store. I just buy and trade with folks here, the plants are sooo much nicer. :)
 
If this thread continues with lots of pictures and names of non-aquatics commonly sold, it would be invaluable if compiled into a sticky/article. Please post your pictures of any non-aquatics as well as the common name if possible.
 
Bamboo
 
The one in the back looks like Dracaena. It seems to be a pretty popular non-aquatic plant for aquariums. I see them all the time. Not sure what the other plant is though.
 
Cichlidgirl's right, the one in back is Dracaena 'Massangeana', or 'corn plant'; the so-called lucky bamboo is also a Dracaena. The one in front appears to be an Acorus or sweet flag, a common marginal ornamental.
 
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