How to Glue Plants, Rocks, and Wood for the Perfect Planted Tank
Did you know super glue is one of the easiest ways to attach aquarium plants to rock, wood, and other hardscape? Since it's made from cyanoacrylate, the adhesive becomes non-toxic once cured, making it completely safe for fish, shrimp, snails, plants, and other aquatic life. If you’re new to aquascaping, this might sound a little weird, but don’t worry — we'll guide you step-by-step to help you create your own stunning planted tank!
Before We Get Started: Which Live Plants Can You Attach to Stone and Driftwood?
Draping your hardscape with lush, vibrant plants is a simple yet effective way to transform your aquarium into a lovely slice of nature. However, not all plants will work. Rooted plants like Amazon swords and cryptocoryne need to be planted in the substrate to grow well, whereas most floating plants prefer to be, well, floating freely at the water surface rather than submerged.
Instead, look for aquatic mosses and rhizome plants, which have a thick, horizontal stem where leaves grow upward and roots grow downward. Many of these species are easy to care for and thrive in low light. Some of our favorite plants to attach to stone and driftwood include:
How to Glue Aquarium Plants to Wood, Rocks, and Decor
If you already have your plant and decoration ready, then the only other material you need is super glue. There are two main types of super glue: liquid super glue and super glue gel. For gluing live plants, we definitely recommend the thicker super glue gel because it’s not as runny and won’t accidentally smear all over the plant roots. The gooey consistency also makes it much easier to control so you can precisely “spot weld” things in place. Finally, if you’ve got a lot of gluing to do, make sure to work in a well-ventilated area and wear nitrile or polyethylene gloves to keep your fingers from sticking together.
Instructions
- Position the plant on the decoration (without glue) to see where you want to put it. For a cleaner look, many aquarists like to arrange the plant so that the hardscape is visible from the front while the roots stay hidden behind it.
- Run a single, thin line of glue down the side of the rhizome that will be touching the decor. If the rhizome is very small or narrow, apply a small line of glue to the decoration instead and press the roots (just below the rhizome) onto it.
Note: Be careful not to use too much glue on the rhizome, or else it might damage the plant.
- Firmly press the plant and the hardscape together for 30–60 seconds while the glue cures. For an even faster cure time, spray some super glue accelerator on the attachment point. It cures in about 10 seconds and is entirely safe for plants and animals once dried.
How to Hide the Glue for a Clean, Professional Look
Nice job on gluing your first plant! Pretty easy, right? But what if you accidentally used a little too much glue and now there’s an unsightly, white blob of dried adhesive messing up your beautiful aquascape? Luckily, we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves to make your tank look neat and tidy.
- Tip #1: When applying the glue, dab a small amount at first because you can always add more if needed.
- Tip #2: If too much glue comes out, immediately wipe up the excess using a paper towel or your gloved fingers. Another pro tip is to conceal the glue with a sprinkle of sand, crushed rock, or small gravel while it’s curing to give it a natural look.
- Tip #3: If the glue has already hardened, you can always cover those spots with java moss or other dense foliage.
Other Ways to Attach Plants Without Glue
Of course, there are times when glue might not be the best option. For instance, if your aquarium rock or driftwood has a natural hole or crevice, you can often just wedge the plant in place without any adhesive. As long as the plant stays secure and doesn’t float away when bumped by fish or snails, its roots will eventually latch on and firmly anchor to the decor as it grows.
If your plant doesn’t have a big rhizome or roots to easily glue down, try using green sewing thread instead. This method is great for mosses, monte carlo, and other small-leafed plants with tiny roots. Simply place the plant on a piece of wood and wrap the thread around it several times to tie it in place — making sure it's snug but not so tight that it harms the plant. Over time, the leaves will grow and spread, completely hiding the thread from view.
Can You Glue Aquatic Plants in an Established Tank?
Yes, we add plants to our existing aquariums all the time! Contrary to popular belief, super glue doesn’t immediately cure when wet (although moisture does speed up the process), so you have a few seconds to work with. Only an accelerant can create an instant bond. So, if you're looking to glue your plant underwater, use these steps to ensure a smooth application.
- Position the plant in the aquarium to see where you want to attach it and where the glue should be applied.
- Add glue to the rhizome or the roots right under the rhizome.
- Quickly place the plant into the tank and hold it against the hardscape before the glue starts to cure.
- Let go after 15–30 seconds and the plant will be set.
How to Glue Rocks and Other Heavy Decorations
If you’re aiming to create your dream aquascape, combining multiple stones or driftwood is often easier than trying to find a single, perfect piece. We’ve created a wide variety of planted aquarium setups, both at home and in the BRS Fresh studio, so follow our tried-and-true method for making a super sturdy aquarium structure with the power of super glue and cotton.
Materials
- Aquascaping rocks
- Super glue gel
- Liquid super glue
- Super glue accelerator
- Cotton balls
- Nitrile or polyethylene gloves (optional)
Instructions
When working with hefty aquarium stones, it’s best to use an accelerator that causes the super glue to instantly bond. The accelerator speeds up the polymerization or bonding process, which releases heat and smoke. The vapor is completely normal — just be sure to work in a well-ventilated area or wear a respirator, especially if you’re doing a lot of gluing to build a giant aquascape feature.
- Position the two rocks or heavy decor together to see where to connect them.
- Cut or tear off a small piece of cotton, just enough to cover the joint without being visible. Keep the cotton layer thin and evenly spread. If it’s too thick, the center of the cotton may not properly cure, leading to a weak bond.
- Apply super glue gel to the first stone, and press the flattened-out cotton ball in place.
- Use the liquid super glue to thoroughly saturate the cotton, but be careful not to let it spread too much outside of the cotton.
- Attach the second rock so it hides as much of the cotton as possible. If needed, you can spread on sand or crushed rock over any excess glue while it’s still curing to help conceal it.
- Spray the joined area with the accelerator from multiple angles. Be generous and don’t worry about soaking down the rock because the accelerator won’t show once it has evaporated. If the joint is in an awkward angle, you can quickly spray the cotton first before immediately pressing the other rock in place.
- Hold the two stones together for 10 seconds, and the bond will be firm. For any weak spots or gaps that aren’t fully attached, use super glue gel to “spot weld” them for greater stability.
- Put the hardscape structure into water to see if there is any cotton or glue showing. If so, cover it by gluing on a plant like anubias or java moss.
Congratulations, now you’re ready to start gluing like an aquascaping pro! If you’re not sure what hardscape to use, explore our favorite aquarium rocks and wood to take your tank to the next level. For more helpful tips on planted tanks, subscribe to our newsletter and check out these related posts.
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