Hey everyone! I'm working on creating a brackish paludarium where the salinity will be around 30 ppt. I've already got some red mangroves and I'm trying to acclimate English ivy to the saltier water. I'm wondering if there are any other plants I can add to the land section that can handle the saltwater reaching their roots. The setup is going to be a little island with the land part rising out of the water, so the roots will probably be submerged at times. I'm planning to use a chunky sand and orchid bark mix for substrate to keep things relatively dry. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
6 Answers
Clusia is another fantastic option! They are known for tolerating salty conditions and can add some nice greenery to your landscape. Give it a shot!
You might want to look into beach grass! It can handle saltwater and really gives that coastal vibe to your setup. Plus, it's pretty hardy, so it could be a great addition.
Eel grass is a good option too! People use it in brackish areas, especially for oyster farming. Just make sure you get the right variety since some do better in high salinity.
I've been experimenting with saltwort in brackish mud for a while now, and it's been doing well. Sea oats could also be a good choice to consider for that coastal aesthetic you're going for!
Definitely consider adding some mangroves since they thrive in brackish water! They can really enhance the look of your paludarium. Just make sure their roots have enough space to grow and get the right amount of light.
You might also check out ice plants or sea figs! They thrive in coastal areas and can handle the salt. I've seen them growing well in California, so there's a good chance they'll do well in your paludarium.
Those sound interesting! I'll look into them for sure.
Thanks for those ideas! I'm excited to see how the saltwort performs in my setup!