Real plants in a 10 gallon wouldn't be difficult. You can put a 20W plant light in a regular hood set up and grow a variety of lower level plants. I grow wendti, red melon swords, anachris, crypts, java moss, and java fern in my 10 gallon. I also have a bunch of plants growing on a piece of driftwood that I bought from Petco. The plants are doing great and the newts love it.
Jackie