What Plants To Use

[charliesteve]

Hi
I am just starting a fish tank and my intention is to keep tropical fish. I have purchased tank, a filter, and artificial plants. I have purchased a book on the hobby and it says for a Tropical Fish set up use live plants and for a Cold Water set up use artificial plants. Anyone know the logic behind that statement as according to that I have purchased the wrong plants.
Thanks
Steve

[Buenchico]

I know nothing about tropical fish but, upon reading your post, it occurred to me immediately that live plants in an aquarium will oxygenate the water.

A bit of help from that nice Mr Google suggests that are plenty of other reasons why you should be using live plants too (although, admittedly, it doesn't indicate why such factors are less important for cold water fish):
https://blog.aquariuminfo.org/top-6-benefits-aquatic-plants-aquarium/

[Tuvok]

Plastic plants are ok as well - my neighbour has plastice, we have live plants.

You may find plants grow rapidly or the fish strip them bare or both!