The plant most people start with, bought by the handful. Leptochilus pteropus — Java Fern — needs no substrate, no CO₂ and no bright light, which is why it is the backbone of most low-tech tanks. This is the bulk pack, for furnishing a large hardscape, a shop tank, or several aquariums at once. What You'll Receive Fresh, healthy Java Fern (Leptochilus pteropus) cultivated and prepared by Aquarium Plants Factory®. Bare-root Portion: Approximately 6 individual leaves with some roots attached. Leaves may arrive separated, and rhizomes are not guaranteed to be connected. This is completely normal for Java Fern and makes it easier to attach each plant to driftwood, rocks, or other hardscape. Unlike some sellers, we do not tie multiple rhizomes together with black cotton thread to make them appear as one clump, as this can restrict healthy growth, and increase the risk of rot over time. 5 Pack: 5 individual bare-root portions (approximately 6 leaves per portion) 10 Pack: 10 individual bare-root portions (approximately 6 leaves per portion) 20 Pack: 20 individual bare-root portions (approximately 6 leaves per portion) For best results, attach each leaf or rhizome section to driftwood, rocks, or other hardscape using cotton thread. New rhizomes and plantlets will naturally develop as the plant grows. Plant Profile Common name — Java Fern Scientific name — Leptochilus pteropus (syn. Microsorum pteropus) Origin — Southeast Asia Placement — Midground, attached to driftwood, rock or décor Mature height — 6-10 inches Growth rate — Slow Care Difficulty — Beginner Light — Low to medium CO₂ — Not required; it encourages faster growth and larger leaves but is not needed Water — 68-82°F, pH 6.0-7.5 Substrate — Not required. Epiphyte — attach the rhizome to hardscape and never bury it. Growth habit — Amphibious; grows emersed as well as submersed Propagation — Rhizome division, plus plantlets from mature leaves Grower's Notes Buy coverage, do not wait for it. Java Fern adds only a few leaves a year. Twenty portions spread across a large piece of wood look established the day they go in; one portion never will. Separated leaves are a feature, not damage. Each leaf with a scrap of rhizome and a root will grow into its own plant, and separate pieces are far easier to distribute across a hardscape than one bound clump. That is why we do not thread them together. Never bury the rhizome. Roots may go into substrate; the green horizontal stem must stay in open water or it rots — the single most common way a Java Fern is killed. Black spots on old leaves are baby plants, not disease. Leave a spotted leaf in place until each plantlet has roots and two or three leaves, then detach and attach it elsewhere. A bulk planting becomes self-propagating within a year. Expect a change of leaf. We grow this emersed, so some arriving leaves will die back as the plants convert to submerged growth. That is the plant working, not failing. Want to go deeper? Read our complete Java Fern Care Guide. Notes Pictures are representative samples only. Live aquatic plants are natural products and may vary in size, color, and fullness depending on season and growing conditions. Java Fern is commonly grown emersed and may experience a normal transition period as it adapts to submerged aquarium conditions. Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
