Do you have to have soil to keep plants alive?

Question

I have a few plants that are just in the gravel and have been for a few days, they seem fine so far, how long can they live with no soil, no co2, but a shitload of light?

Answer 1

No, but it will depend on the plant. Some types should have their roots completely out of the water, and some do better as floating plants.

If you have fish, they do respire, so they take in oxygen and give off CO2 for your plants. They have easy access to water, of course, and the main minerals plants need (nitrate, phosphate, potassium, calcium) are supplied by the fish food and water you add to the tank (which is one reason it's not good to use distilled water), and your fishes' wastes. One mineral that's usually in short supply, though, is iron. It helps if you use an aquatic plant fertilizer that contains this to prevent the leaves from yellowing.

The light is needed for photosynthesis, but also for movement of water containing minerals through the plants. As photosynthesis occurs, and oxygen is given off, more water is needed for the process to continue. The water is used in the plan's cells and is split into hydrogen and oxygen with the oxygen being released through the leaves, and the hydrogen going to carbohydrates or cell structures. Think of this as water being pulled through the plant to make these (or to be released), and the water molecules being connected to each other through their chemical bonds - as one molecule is used, the rest get pulled along, which means more water (and all the nutrients in it) is constantly being pulled (absorbed) into the root system. As long as the lights are on, this is what happens.

Answer 2

Within soil there is nutrients and the plants feed on this. Different soils have different PH levels which can indicate too much of some nutrients and not enough, so that's why some plants don't survive in different soils... it also depends on the sun exposure and the amount of water too. So soil helps keeps plants alive with its nutrients and obviously the water in the soil gets sucked up by the plants to keep alive. This is a very rough answer but its good enough!!

Answer 3

It depends on the plant, some are easier than others. I never bothered with co2, potted plants or anything like that, I just shove em in the gravel. Many varieties did just fine and grew like crazy and others didnt do well at all. Make sure the plants you use are hardy and look out for ones that arent true underwater plants. (most stores sell bog plants and what not that are really supposed to grow out of the water and just rot when theyre kept submerged in a fish tank) ... so basicaly, co2 is helpful, I think soil is going over the top, but ultimately I wouldnt worry about it. See if they survive and if they dont just try a different kind

Answer 4

You don't have to have soil for live plants to thrive. But with good lighting and good fertilization, they should be able to live for a couple of years. If you add some CO2 in the tank, they'll live longer. Here's a great website on how to make your own CO2 dispersal: http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Diyco2.htm

~ZTM

Answer 5

soil? aquarium plants dont need soil.

depending on the species, most can live fine without co2, and fertilizer.

Answer 6

No. Hydroponics is where plants are grown entirely in liquid nutrients. They can live forever.

Answer 7

The question is, what kind of plant is it? Depends on the plant.

Answer 8

No. There is the entire science of hydroponics.

Answer 9

they can live permantly like you have them as long as you keep watering and fertilize lightly

Answer 10

no , light and water that's it