Aquarium plants help?

Im about to be getting a larger tank and i would like to add live plants to it. Is there a type of substrate i can use to help them grow and keep them alive? And is there a certain type of lightbulb i can use also? The last times i have tried planted aquariums they would only last maybe a month and start to turn yellow and die off. I went to a pet store and asked about it and they said that thats about how long they usually last and you just have to keep replacing them. I dont know how that works but it doesnt sound right at all.