Adding live plants to a betta fish tank aquarium does more than just improve aesthetics but it also provide shelter, food for vegetarian fish, and prevent green water. Plants also muffle up carbon dioxide, waste products, contribute oxygen to the water, and promote the growth of algae, tiny worms, rotifers, and protozoa, providing live food for the fish.
Using real plants is a good source of oxygen for your betta, especially if you don’t use aeration. Bear in mind, when adding live plant for your bowl, don’t overload with it. Why? Because the betta fish have developed the ability to breathe air and use organ on top their head called a labyrinth organ to gather oxygen form the surface. Imagine if you have your tank or bowl overloaded with plants, thus covering the surface on top of it, it could prevent your betta from reaching the surface to get the oxygen they need, and they will literally drown!.
For that said, it is recommended that you do have at least one plant in their tank or bowl. Some varieties of plants that you can put in with your Betta’s include: peace water lilies, Chinese evergreens, water sprites, philodendrons, photos plant, java fern plants. You can't just put any kind of plant in with your Betta. If you in doubt, check with your local fish store or vet and ask for help.
Although using real plants provide many positive advantages and features, they also create more maintenance on your part. Just like any other plant, they can not breakdown, die or require trimming. Using artificial plants require only that you clean them up properly. While they do not produce oxygen or assist in breakdown of your betta waste, they also do not produce dirt. When choosing artificial plants, try choosing with silky and soft material. This will eliminate the changes of tearing or cutting your betta fins on the sharp of plastic plants.
If you are getting started, I would suggest you go with artificial plant. There huge selection on the net or you can simply visit your local pet store to find it.