• Blooming water plants require different amounts of nutrients and light.aquarium image by FotoWorx from Fotolia.com
  
  Underwater plants generally produce their flowers above the water's surface, sending up stems that grow above your tank or pond. Some plants require extra nutrients or lighting to bloom. Always consider the size of the plant in relation to your growing area as well as how the plant spreads.
  
  

Aponogeton Crispus

• Aponogeton Crispus is a fast growing and easy to care for aquatic plant. To flower, this species grows very tall and thin stalks that reach the top of the water level. Once they break through the surface they produce small white or violet blooms. This plant prefers soft water and an environment rich in nutrients, which means it's better to introduce this plant to your aquarium or pond after it has had a chance to mature rather than when it is new and sterile. The Crispus does well in moderate light and will grow quite large. It is more suitable for larger aquariums, ponds or aquascapes.
  
  

Echinodorus

• Echinodorus, or Sword Plant will bloom by sending up a stem to the water's surface where it produces a small group of white flowers. In a nutrient rich environment the Sword Plant needs only moderate light, but may require more if the substrate is too sterile. Continued pruning of the outside, older leaves and root trims can keep this plant at a medium size.
  
  

Zosterella Dubia

• The Zosterella Dubia is another easy to grow plant that also spreads very quickly. The Zosterella's stems must be planted in gravel or substrate, but most of the plant actually floats on top of the water. There it quickly grows to cover the surface and will produce six petaled, yellow star flowers. This plant also is extremely easy going, and is not affected by temperature, lighting or nutrient levels.
  
  

Anubias Nana

• The Anubias Nana's flower resembles a Calla Lily.Calla lily image by Elzbieta Sekowska from Fotolia.com
  
  Anubias Nana is a very hardy plant that isn't picky about it's environment. However, if you want your Anubias to bloom you do need high levels of phosphate in your water. The plant will grow a stem, which will look just like a new leaf for the first few days, in the direction of the surface of the water. A bud will grow and, after a week, open into a flower that looks like a Calla Lily and lasts for about a month. These flowers may grow under or above the water's surface.
  
  

Bacopa Monnieri

• The Bacopa Monnieri is sometimes called a Moneywort plant, and does best if provided with a high level of light (2 watts per gallon). This plant grows in tall thick stems with small leaves, and will continue to grow even above the water level if left uncut. Bacopa produces light pink flowers along the stem where the leaves emerge.
  
  

Phyllanthus Fluitans

• The Phyllanthus grows on the surface of the water and trails long, hairy, bright red roots, which is why it's sometimes referred to as the Red Root Floater. It thrives with bright light (3 watts per gallon) as well as heavy nutrients such as iron. It grows large round, slightly red, leaves with small white flowers in its center. It can quickly take over a small tank due to its fast reproduction. New plants may have to be removed to prevent them from blocking light to the rest of a tank.