I recommend these plants:
-giant vallisneria and plain vallisneria(grow massively but solid fertilizer to the root)
-hygrophilia polysperma (grows quickly in a medium lighted tank, liquid fertilizer)
-java moss (doesn't need practically anything!)
-brazilian waterweed (medium lighting, liquid fertilizer)
- java fern
Fine sand is the best substrate for plants, in my opinion.
here's a link to my tanks, I've got all the plants above in them.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v640/osteoporoosi/