Where do you buy plants?

[domingo3]

OK. This may sound like a dumb question, but I went to PetSmart today intending to buy Java Fern. After I came home, I looked up the "java fern" that I bought and it's "trichomanes javanicum", which will supposedly die and rot when kept underwater. What a waste of money!
So how do I buy plants for my aquarium? I thought I'd at least be able to trust a pet store. Unfortunately, there's no LFS nearby.

[SunSchein89]

Unfortunately, a lot of the major pet stores will sell plants that are not truly aquatic plants. What I'd recommend doing is go to the pet store, write down the common and scientific name of all the plants they carry, then go online to plantgeek.com and look at the requirements of them. Most importantly, make sure they are truly aquatic plants; plantgeek is normally good about telling you which plants are aquatic or not. Other than that, look for any mom and pop stores around you or check out websites like aquabid (I've never used it yet personally, but have heard it mentioned a few times).

[annageckos]

The chains are normally the worst with aquatic plants from my experiance. I, luckly have a good LFS. Otherwise buy them online. Aquabid is a good place to start looking.

[rich311k]

I buy them on forums like this one and from aquabid.

[MCHRKiller]

Best place to get quality plants is from other hobbyists, forum classified ads are a great place to start looking. Many people sell for very reasonable prices or even give plants to new hobbyists. Otherwise; ebay, aquabid, aquariumplants.com are good resources

[domingo3]

OK. Thanks everyone.

[Sarkazmo]

Plantedtank.net has a great "Swap and Shop" section and I've gotten GREAT plants and great deals from the people over there.

Sark

[Dacotah7]

Unfortunately, a lot of the major pet stores will sell plants that are not truly aquatic plants. What I'd recommend doing is go to the pet store, write down the common and scientific name of all the plants they carry, then go online to plantgeek.com and look at the requirements of them. Most importantly, make sure they are truly aquatic plants; plantgeek is normally good about telling you which plants are aquatic or not. Other than that, look for any mom and pop stores around you or check out websites like aquabid (I've never used it yet personally, but have heard it mentioned a few times).

Great Idea! But impossible at our big box sotres, Petco, and Petsmart. They don't have them labled, when or if they do they are wrong more times than right.

It may have been dumb on my part, but I just bought a bunch of plants yesterday, not knowing what I bought, but wanted something in my new 20g planted. Now I am faced with identifying them and their requirements. Hopefully I can make everything work properly, not having the wrong mix, with extreme opposite requirements such a ph or lighting etc.

[korith]

Plantedtank.net has a great "Swap and Shop" section and I've gotten GREAT plants and great deals from the people over there.

Sark

That is a great site for plants, gotten many good deals there. Just hobbyists selling to one another.

Another suggestion would be to see if your area has any local fish clubs. Great source of knowledge, fish and plants.

[Dave66]

Simple thing would be to buy The Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants by Peter Hiscock. It has 150 plant species with detailed photo and their individual care, plus a section on terrestrial plants that are sold as aquatic, so you'll know what you're looking at when you go for plants at uber chains like Petsmart and Petco, or online even.

Book sells for 15 to 20 bucks. Barrons publishes it.

Dave