Why are my plants dying?

Question

I have a tropical aquarium containing lots of live plants, but after about 10 days they start dying. WHY?

Answer 1

Do you have at least 2 inches of gravel on the bottom? They need lots of room to grow roots. Also, they need some UV light, what type of bulb do you have?

Answer 2

Without more information, I can only guess.

Lighting: do you have fluorescent light? If you only have incandescent, you can't grow any plants. Your lights should be on for 10 hours a day.

Fertilizers: Your fish should provide enough ferts for some basic plants, but if you have no fish or very few fish, you might want to add a few drops of Seachem Flourish.

Plant choice: Some plants grow easily, some plants need high light and CO2 injection. If you're picking that plants that need high light and CO2, and are not providing these elements, they will die. This includes most red plants, as well as low to the bottom plants (obviously this can vary). Also note that some plants sold in stores are not actually aquatic - if the stem is very rigid, it is likely a semi-aquatic plant that may not live too long in your tank.

Anyway, the first step would be to ensure you have proper lighting. Just a normal, fluorescent tube is sufficient for some basic plants.
Then go with easy plants that do not require special lighting or CO2, such as:
Anubias
Vallisnera
Pennywort
Java fern
Java moss
Naja / Guppy grass
Giant hygrophilia

Answer 3

are you turning off the lights at night? plants need rest too.