Hey Andrew,
I've kept axolotls for the past 6 years. I have had tanks with and with out live plants. Most setups that are very appealing to us, means little to your axolotl. They like murky dimly lit environments, like their original habitat. I do not use live plants now, because the lights would frighten them when they first came on, so I did away with the artificial lights. I even partially cover one of my setups with a towel to avoid the other tank lights.
I have seen cool setups with plants growing out of the tanks, IE: pathos, watersprite, ect. One of my setups that worked well was receiving partial light from a north facing window, I was able to grow Java moss (a low light loving aquatic plant) quite well. Java moss does well with temps in the axolotl's range too.
Artificial plants have come a long way in looks and feel. My axies appear to appreciate them and will float in and around them.
What ever you decide they will use them (and sometimes abuse them
). Ask a reputable Tropical Fish Dealer on the needs of various aquatic plants. Some need more light or warmer temps than others. I would stay away from those. Because what will happen is the plant will slowly die off and soil your tank. BTW live plants love axolotl setups with all the waste they produce
. Hope this helps.
