Riparium 101: The Complete Guide to Epic Riverbank Projects

The riparium is a special type of ‘arium’ with its own unique flavor.

Using a combination of aquatic (and terrestrial) elements, a riparium looks to create a stunning shoreline effect. Perfect for scenes of idyllic riverbanks, babbling creeks, or moody mangroves.

These environments open up a range of creative options for hydrophilic plants and semi-aquatic projects.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started on your own DIY riparium. From natural biotope and plant inspiration to the unique construction techniques involved.

So, if you can’t beach ’em – join ’em!

Riparium

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What is a Riparium?

A riparium is a planted tank that looks to recreate a natural riparian zone.

Derived from the Latin word ripa, meaning “river,” these are the buffer areas like riverbanks and wetlands.

Naturally, creating a river scene is going to involve some water-loving plants. But in the case of a riparium, a very specific kind of plant takes center stage – marginal plants.

Plants that can grow in the transitionary phases of the water, from fully to partially submerged.

In fact, we can grow these plants emersed. Meaning they can grow standing in water, with their roots beneath the waterline and their foliage above. This effect is what really achieves the characteristic look of a riparium. 

(More on the specifics and examples of these later).

In terms of construction, there are a few main approaches to creating the riparian look.

  • 1. Incorporate your taller emersed terrestrial plants through the use of planters. These can come in the form of specialized cups/crates that can be stuck directly to the tank’s back pane of glass. Once the plants grow in, they effectively hide the planters to form a natural-looking scene.
  • 2. Have your hardscape form the transition piece instead of your plants. A simpler version of a riparium can have a large hardscape item (rock or branch) piercing the surface, fulfilling the dual role of “emersed object” and “planting solution.” You can plant epiphytes as necessary to achieve the desired look.
Riparium with emersed growth and fern
It’s amazing what you can do with driftwood pieces like this one. (Image Credit: r.a.aquascapes on IG).
  • 3. Use an aquatic substrate to create hills or slopes that poke out of the water to create islands. These can create more of a true riverbank look, and you can actually plant in every area of the scape. Though some would argue this is headed more into paludarium territory.

All of these solutions come in both open and closed forms, but I’ve seen far more open tanks. After all, trapping humidity isn’t so important when your plants have direct access to a tank of water.

Riparium vs Paludarium (& Why it Matters)

It’s worth clarifying the difference, as the overlapping definitions of the many “ariums” do get confusing…

In essence, both ripariums and paludariums share a common concept – that of combining terrestrial and aquatic elements into a single design.

Though they differ in a variety of practical and theoretical ways.

  • Paludariums can have distinctly separate terrestrial and aquatic areas, incorporating different types of substrates and plants. Whereas a riparium tends to lean toward being purely semi-aquatic, using entirely marginal plants either growing emersed or fully submerged.
  • Ripariums are focused entirely on riparian biotopes (e.g., rivers), whereas paludariums can be any combination of land and water.

All that said, the definition of a riparium vs. a paludarium is still contested. It could be argued that a riparium is a subset of a paludarium and vice-versa.

For me, what matters most is a focus on marginal plants and riverbank aesthetics, so as long as you’re catering your project towards those goals, you’re on the right track. 

Choosing Suitable Riparium Plants

So, we’ve already identified that most riparium plants are “marginal plants.”

Let’s dive a little deeper into those (and where you’d find them).

First up, houseplants.

You may be surprised how many common tropical houseplants can happily grow emersed in a riparium environment. They’re often selected for their size and easygoing nature so they can quickly and easily fill out a scene.

What plant possibly fits that bill better than a Pothos?

They’re a hardy bunch, and they can quickly adapt to a new aquatic environment. Even the likes of Syngonium and Peace Lillies are often used as the taller emersed background plants. 

Riparium with pothos and ferns
Some Aroids are being put to good use here! (Image Credit: r.a.aquascapes on IG).

There are plenty of terrarium plants that can make the transition to high-moisture environments, too.

In fact, the Pilea genus has a variety of good candidates. Both the Friendship Plant and the Aluminum Plant thrive in high moisture environments and can be used to add some foliage flair to your setup. The classic Fittonia is a good fit for ripariums too.

Then, you have the true semi-aquatic species that will be growing submerged beneath the waterline.

There’s a whole aquascaping industry built around the supply and cultivation of these kinds of aquarium plants, so there really is a lot to choose from. Sometimes, even pond plants can work.

Here are some good starting points.

  • Microsorum “Java Ferns” and Echinodorus “Amazon Swords” both provide some of the larger, full-leafed aquatic plants to create that density of underwater foliage. 
  • Cryptocoryne and Anubias offer a wide range of smaller-leafed varieties, from bright little grassy numbers to deep emeralds.
  • Textured carpeting plants like the ever-popular Hemianthus callitrichoides ‘Cuba’ (Dwarf Baby Tears) can – and will – rapidly grow all over a riparian environment.
Riparium overflowing with Hydrocotyle tripartita
Just look at how this Hydrocotyle tripartita has taken over! Above and below the water. (Image Credit: r.a.aquascapes on IG).
  • Finally, we have moss to pull the whole thing together. Java Moss and Christmas Moss can both happily grow submerged, emersed, and everywhere in between. Not to mention the moss bears the riparium name! Leptodictyum riparium. Which, incidentally, is an excellent fit too.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Shop Aquatic Plants at Buceplant.

Riparium Supplies – What Do You Need?

Tank

Riparium tanks are most often repurposed aquarium tanks, so they can take almost any shape or size.

They’re often considered “low tech” in that people tend to rely on the plants to do most of the filtering, and because said plants are growing emersed, they don’t need CO2 pumping into the water. So you don’t always need space for extra equipment.

I’ve seen everything from tiny nano ripariums all the way up to giant tanks (that are practically furniture).

These days, there’s definitely a trend of shallower tanks, too. They allow the space for taller plants to grow beyond to rim, completing the look.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Something like this NCYPGarden Tank could be a perfect starting point.

Riparium by NCYP Garden
Image Credit: NCYPGarden on Etsy.

Alternatively, many suitable terrarium containers can work too. A super low-tech version can still work in a large vase or similar.

Substrate

You’ve got a few options for riparium substrates, depending on which approach you take to your project.

  • Use an aquarium substrate throughout the entire tank (e.g., Seachem Floruite or Fluval Stratum). That way, you can sculpt the entire landscape and plant throughout it. This would also be my go-to choice for filling any riparium planters too.
tropica aquasoil
I’ve also used tropica aquasoil in a variety of projects.
  • A LECA hydroponic setup could potentially work in planters, too, though it’s more likely to float when submerged, so it has a lot less utility. Probably best used in isolated planter cups at the waterline (i.e., where it can’t escape). 
  • A sand and gravel base is an easy way to get a naturalistic look at the bottom of your tank. It’s usually not ideal for planting in (as it contains no nutrients), but epiphytes and floating plants are still an option to add some greenery. I’d recommend lava rock gravel as its porosity has some additional benefits for planting.
lava rock for plants
Lava rock makes a great addition to substrates and bases alike.

Hardscape

As in nature, branches and rocks are key to pulling off a true riparian look.

Whether you’re going for driftwood caught downstream in rocky outcrops or a natural transition of river stones – there’s a hardscape selection for you.

Importantly, hardscape can play a dual role here in providing planting opportunities, too.

Hardscape can function as the key transition piece. Making up a “land” area as they stick up out of the water (which you can plant epiphytically onto).

Buceplant spiderwood showstopper
Just think of the possibilities with Spiderwood showstoppers like this one on Buceplant! (Image Credit: Buceplant).

๐Ÿ‘‰ Check out Buceplant for some AMAZING hardscape options.

Now It’s Your Turn

There you have it, a crash course in the riparium.

Sure, they can appear to be complicated at first, but following the right principles, they can be quite simple.

Honestly, by sticking with marginal plants (and especially the hardier of the bunch like Pothos), you really can’t go too wrong.

If you’re looking to incorporate more terrestrial features, why not take a look at our paludarium guide? And if you need more terrestrial terrarium supplies, check out the online Terrarium Tribe Store!

3 thoughts on “Riparium 101: The Complete Guide to Epic Riverbank Projects”

  1. Hi, I am so pleased I have finally found your website. I had been struggling to visualise how I was going to scape my new tank, been especially worried about the amount and weight of rock I thought I had to use, but now I understand that it’s the wood that I should be focussing on. I can always prop the pieces of wood with fewer pieces of rock, e.g. lava rock, to achieve a natural look, without having to worry about the floor caving in under my cabinet and tank lol… I also like your writing, it’s really easy to read. Thank you, I have learnt a lot.

  2. I have a couple setups going for a short while and they are doing real good and the tanks are quite populated with fish.

    I am stuck though, what do i do with the roots once they reach the substrate? Do i need to prune the roots?

    1. Depends on the plant really. Some plants can happily grow emersed (with roots under the water) so they’d have no issue.

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