The Best Glue for Aquarium Plants

At Horizon Aquatics, when it comes to attaching epiphyte aquarium plants like mosses, ferns, or anubias to rocks and wood, we always rely on plant glue. It’s a simple, quick and easy way to instantly secure plants without using string or fishing line, keeping your aquascape clean and professional-looking.

Why Use Plant Glue in Your Aquarium?

Plant glue allows you to instantly fix plants onto hardscape, even underwater. It speeds up aquascaping dramatically compared to traditional methods, and it keeps delicate plants like mosses neatly in place during tank setup and early growth stages.

Plant glue is especially helpful for plants that don't like being buried in substrate, such as anubias, bucephalandra, and java fern, which prefer to have their rhizomes attached to surfaces rather than buried.

Which Aquarium Safe Plant Glue to Use?

We recommend using the Horizon PLANT Glue, a specially tested cyanoacrylate-based gel adhesive that's completely safe for aquarium use.

The gel consistency makes it perfect for securing plants — it won't run like a liquid glue, giving you better control and avoiding messy fingers or cloudy water. It’s the same plant glue we use in all of our display aquariums and retail tanks at Horizon Aquatics.

We also have a Aquascaping glue kit where you get a plant glue, hardscape glue and precision tips to get you started.

How to Use Aquarium Plant Glue

Using plant glue is incredibly simple:

1. Wet the Plant Surface: Lightly spray the root, rhizome or the hardscape you wish to glue to plant

2. Apply a Small Dot: Squeeze a tiny amount of glue onto the hardscape or directly onto the plant’s rhizome.

3. Press and Hold: Firmly press the plant onto the desired location for about 10-20 seconds.

4. Submerge: You can immediately place the glued plant back into the aquarium. The glue will fully cure within minutes.

Pro Tip: Less is more! A small amount of glue is all that’s needed to secure plants neatly without leaving large white patches behind.

Aquarium Plant Glue: Your Top Questions Answered

Is plant glue safe for aquariums?

Absolutely! Once cured, cyanoacrylate gel glue is non-toxic and safe for fish, shrimp, snails, and plants.

Can I use plant glue underwater?

Technically Yes, you can! Our plant glue works both in and out of water, allowing you to attach plants even after final tank adjustments. However it is a little awkward under water as it sets very quickly, we recommend, if adding plants after the main planting session, waiting until your water change day and attaching them whilst drained.

Tip: You can attach your plant to tiny stones or pieces of wood the place them in the desired location.

Will the glue harm my plants?

No, provided you only apply glue to the roots or rhizomes and avoid covering leaves or stems excessively. Plants will naturally grow around the glued area over time.

Does plant glue last underwater?
Yes! A properly glued plant will stay attached long-term. Over time, as the plant grows and anchors itself more naturally, the original glue point becomes almost invisible.

Check out our other blog on the best hardscape glue for aquariums