Live Aquarium Plant, Java Fern for Low-Light Aquascapes and Natural Cover for Fish and Fry

Java fern is a live aquarium plant valued for easy care, hardy foliage, and reliable growth under low lighting between 10–20 PAR.

Its thick, long leaves create natural cover for fish and fry. This slow-growing plant can often survive in aquariums housing goldfish or African cichlids.

Native to Southeast Asia, Microsorum pteropus is suitable for beginners and does not require supplemental CO according to its stated care requirements.

Key Features

• Attach the plant to rocks, wood, or aquarium decor rather than burying its rhizome.
• Keep lighting low at 10–20 PAR; excessive light may burn the leaves or encourage excess algae growth.
• Grow it as one plant or gently separate it into smaller clumps by snapping apart the rhizome.
• Propagate established growth by cutting the rhizome and dividing it into two plants.
• Dark dots beneath mature leaves can develop into small plantlets that may later be moved or planted.
• Trim dying or melting leaves at their base while taking care not to damage the rhizome.
• Easy Green liquid fertilizer is the preferred fertilizer named in the care guidance.

Specifications

• Scientific name: Microsorum pteropus
• Native region: Southeast Asia
• Skill level: Easy
• Placement: Rocks, wood, or aquarium decor
• Recommended light: Low light, 10–20 PAR
• CO requirement: None
• Propagation: Rhizome division or leaf-grown plantlets
• Natural plant sizes may vary.

Carefully remove the roots from the rock wool before positioning the plant. Secure each clump in a rock crevice or to decor, and keep the rhizome exposed. This natural product cannot be shipped to Hawaii or Alaska.