Keeping The Plants Looking Good

[comocrayfish5]

so as some might know, i am going to turn my tropical livebearer tank into a planted one! i wan to have foxtails, dwarf hair grass, and pigmy chain swords. i know you can cut the hair grass to the length you like it, but what about the pigmy swords? i have looked it up and all i get is cutting the 'babies' of the adult plant. if the swords get to long, can i trim off the tops? and can all the plants above live in gravel?

and once the plants spread (mostly the hair grass) and it actually looks like a planted tank, do i just to water changes and not gravel cleans? can you recommend and ferts if i need any (it is a 10 gal [37.8L] tank).
i am noy in a rush to get the plants but i do want to order them soon and load up on info!!!!!
any more info on the plants listed is welcome

thanks!!