Well no plant really needs special substrate. Those substrate can help but plain gravel is fine for them as well. As long as the gravel isn't big. All plants do require nutirents something like 17 different kinds. Some of those come from the water others can come for fish waste and food breaking done but you will still need to add some fertilizers to them. Depending what kind of plants you will need two different types liquid and root tabs.
Easy plants in my book (this can vary from person to person) are Anubias, Java fern, Java moss, your common swords (those these can get big). Some stems are easy too but you have to watch them as some need bright lights and C02 dosing to thrive. With the first 3 plants and stems you can just add liquid fertilizers and be fine you add swords, crypts or anything that has big root systems and you need to add root tabs also.
Easy plants in my book (this can vary from person to person) are Anubias, Java fern, Java moss, your common swords (those these can get big). Some stems are easy too but you have to watch them as some need bright lights and C02 dosing to thrive. With the first 3 plants and stems you can just add liquid fertilizers and be fine you add swords, crypts or anything that has big root systems and you need to add root tabs also.