Microsorum Pteropus / Java Fern

Java fern (Microsorum pteropus) is a Southeast Asian fern that grows on rock and wood along stream margins rather than in soil. The leaves are long, strap-shaped and mid green with a strongly marked central vein, rising from a dark creeping rhizome. Mature leaves often develop small brown bumps on the underside, which are new plantlets rather than a problem; they can be detached and attached elsewhere once they have their own roots. Ours are grown on a terracotta ring.

Aquarium care

• Attach the rhizome to wood or rock, or leave it on the ring. Never bury the rhizome.
• Grows in low to moderate light and needs no CO2.
• Slow growing and very forgiving, which makes it a sound first plant.
• Tough leaves, so it stands up better than most plants to fish that graze.
• Propagates on its own from plantlets on the leaf undersides.

Well suited to low-tech tanks, community tanks and setups with diggers, since nothing goes into the substrate. It pairs naturally with anubias and moss on the same piece of wood.

Stock rotates as new plants arrive, and plants are sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the current live plants.