How to Dutch Style Rules (Intermediate Guide)
Are you ready to take your planted aquarium to the next level with a vibrant Dutch aquascape? This intermediate guide covers the essential Dutch style aquascaping rules, helping you understand plant group selection, composition techniques, and maintenance tips for lush, colorful layouts. Let’s dive deeper into what makes a true Dutch aquarium and how you can achieve stunning results in your own tank!
What Is Dutch Style Aquascaping?
The Dutch style is one of the oldest and most respected aquascaping techniques, originating in the Netherlands in the 1930s. Unlike the popular Nature Aquarium (Iwagumi) style, which mimics natural landscapes, the Dutch style focuses on lush plant arrangements, color contrasts, and refined structure — often resembling an underwater botanical garden.
Core Dutch Style Aquascaping Rules
Before introducing advanced nuances, let’s recap the core rules that define a Dutch aquascape:
- Plant density: Minimum of 70% of the tank space should be densely planted.
- Layered and structured look: Use foreground, midground, and background plant groupings.
- Minimal hardscape: Minimal or no rocks and driftwood — plants are the stars!
- Emphasis on color and texture contrast: Combine various leaf colors, shapes, and sizes for visual variety.
- Clear “streets”: Linear plant groupings that lead the eye, known as “streets.”
- Single-species groupings: No plant group should repeat more than once in the layout.
- Terracing/height variation: Tall plants at the back, medium height in the middle, and low-growing species at the front.
Advanced Dutch Style Concepts
Ready to level up your Dutch tank? Intermediate aquascapers focus on refining details:
- Accent plants: Use red or uniquely textured species as accent points, but avoid overuse.
- Grouping balance: Limit each plant group’s width to about 10cm, offering clear boundaries between species.
- Street placement: Diagonal planting “streets” are more dynamic than straight lines, leading the viewer’s eye naturally.
- Color harmony: Use the color wheel! Place cool and warm colored plant groups for contrast without overwhelming the scene.
- Midground layers: Plant mid-height species to gently transition between fore and background, ensuring a seamless look.
Choosing the Right Dutch Aquascaping Plants
Plant selection is crucial in Dutch style aquascaping. Focus on species with distinct leaf shapes and colors:
- Red accent plants: Rotala rotundifolia ‘H’ra’, Ludwigia repens, Alternanthera reineckii
- Bright green foliage: Limnophila aquatica, Pogostemon erectus
- Fine leaves: Myriophyllum mattogrossense, Cabomba aquatica
- Broad leaves: Hygrophila corymbosa, Echinodorus species
For more recommendations, visit our Best Plants for Dutch Aquascape roundup.
Layout Tips for Intermediate Dutch Aquascapers
1. Plan Plant Groupings and Layers
Start your layout with a sketch. Place taller plants at the back, medium species in the middle, and carpeting plants at the front. Reserve each area for different species and ensure no repeating lineups.
2. Create Clear “Streets”
Design streets by planting the same species in a band, slanting them from the background to the front for perspective and depth. Aim for 2-4 clear streets in a standard 60cm tank.
3. Optimize Color and Texture Contrast
Alternate between red, green, and even bronze foliage. Pair feathery stems with broad-leaved plants for visual diversity. But remember — less is more. Overcrowding with wild colors can make the layout look chaotic.
4. Pruning and Ongoing Maintenance
Maintenance is vital. Regularly trim stems to keep group shapes sharp, replant tops as necessary, and vacuum between groups to prevent algae buildup. Learn more from our Aquascape Maintenance Guide.
Common Dutch Aquascaping Mistakes to Avoid
- Overusing accent colors: Limit reds and purples to one or two groups per tank.
- Poor separation of plant groups: Always leave clear boundaries between each species block.
- Mixing too many species: Stick to 8-10 species for a balanced look in small to medium tanks.
- Neglecting foreground: Don’t leave the front of the tank bare — use low-growing plants for a full look.
Final Thoughts: Bring the Dutch Style to Life!
Perfecting the Dutch style aquascape is an ongoing journey of learning and experimentation. By following these rules and tips, you can create a vibrant underwater garden that is uniquely yours. For more inspiration and expert advice, check out our Dutch vs. Nature Aquascape comparison and explore our blog for more aquascaping guides.
Ready to Create Your Dream Dutch Aquascape?
If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to join the Aquascaping Academy newsletter for exclusive tutorials, plant profiles, and community tips — or share your own Dutch tank with us in the comments below!
