Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov' — Java Fern "Windelov" (Lacy Java Fern) A hardy, low-light fern with frilly, lace-tipped leaves — beginner-proof texture for any aquascape Java Fern "Windelov" is a standout variant of the classic Java Fern, prized for its finely branched, lacy leaf tips that fan out into a soft, bushy, almost coral-like crown. It brings rich texture and depth to the mid-background of any aquarium and is genuinely one of the easiest plants you can keep — thriving in low light, shrugging off a wide range of water parameters, and asking nothing in the way of CO2. Like all Java Ferns, it's an epiphyte that anchors to hardscape rather than substrate, making it perfect for attaching to driftwood and rocks. Slow-growing, long-lived, and nearly indestructible, it's a favorite of beginners and seasoned aquascapers alike. IMPORTANT: HOW TO PLANT IT — Do not bury the rhizome (the thick horizontal stem the leaves and roots grow from) — a buried rhizome rots and kills the plant. Instead, attach it to driftwood, rock, or décor using fishing line, cotton thread, or a small dab of super glue gel, leaving the rhizome sitting on the surface. Its roots will grip the hardscape on their own within a few weeks, after which any thread can be removed. AT A GLANCE ☀️ Light Low to medium 📏 Max size 12 inches 📍 Placement Mid-background / epiphyte 💨 CO2 Not required 📈 Growth rate Slow 🎨 Color Green CARE GUIDE Difficulty Easy — one of the most forgiving aquatics Fertilizer Occasional liquid fert. beneficial Substrate N/A — attach to hardscape only Propagation Split the rhizome + plantlets on leaves Safe for Fish, shrimp, and invertebrates Ships as 1 plant, 6+ inches CUSTOMER QUESTIONS ANSWERED (Q) There are black spots and little bumps on the leaves — is it diseased or dying? = Almost always, no — and this trips up a lot of new Java Fern keepers. Small black or brown bumps on the undersides of the leaves, often lined up along the veins, are sporangia (spores) or developing baby plantlets — the fern reproducing. That's a sign of a healthy, mature plant, not a problem. What to actually watch for is "Java Fern melt": large, irregular, mushy brown-black patches that spread and turn leaves translucent, usually caused by water that's too warm (ferns prefer cooler temps), low nutrients, or adjustment stress. If you see that, trim the worst leaves, keep the tank cooler and lightly fertilized, and the rhizome will push out fresh growth. Either way, never throw out the rhizome. (Q) How do I propagate it and get more plants? = It's wonderfully easy — two ways. First, you can split the rhizome: cut it into sections (each with a few leaves and roots) and attach each piece to new hardscape. Second, Java Fern produces baby plantlets right on its older leaves and leaf tips — tiny ferns that grow their own little leaves and roots. Once they're big enough, gently detach them and attach them elsewhere in the tank. Over time, one plant can quietly populate your whole aquascape or give you plenty to share. (Q) What makes "Windelov" different from regular Java Fern? = The leaf tips. Standard Java Fern has smooth, strap-like leaves, while "Windelov" finishes each leaf in a finely divided, frilly, lace-like crest — giving it a denser, bushier, more ornamental and detailed look. (It's named after Holger Windeløv, who introduced it to the hobby.) The care is identical to regular Java Fern — hardy, low-light, no CO2 — so you get all the same beginner-friendly toughness with a more eye-catching, textured appearance. WHAT'S INCLUDED 1 Java Fern "Windelov" (Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov') plant, 6+ inches, with a healthy rhizome and roots ready to attach to hardscape on arrival. Do not bury the rhizome. Small bumps on the leaf undersides are normal spores/plantlets — see the FAQ above. Rinse gently before adding to your tank. Ships within 10–15 business days.
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