Java Fern

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Java Fern grows attached to wood and stone rather than in substrate, needs no CO₂, and tolerates light levels that would starve most plants. Its leathery, strap-shaped leaves give a layout the settled look that faster plants never quite manage. What You’ll Receive Fresh, healthy Java Fern (Leptochilus pteropus) cultivated and prepared by Aquarium Plants Factory®, available in convenient planting formats: Bare-root: Approximately 6+ individual leaves with some roots attached. Leaves may arrive separated, and rhizomes are not guaranteed to be connected. This is normal for Java Fern and allows easy attachment to hardscape. Bunched: Approximately 6+ leaves with some roots bundled with foam and a plant weight for easy placement. Leaves may be individual, and rhizomes may not be connected. This is normal for Java Fern and does not affect growth. Potted: Approximately 6+ leaves with some roots placed in a net pot with rockwool for stability. Leaves may be individual, and rhizomes may not be connected. This is normal and the plant will continue to grow once established. Plant Profile Common name — Java Fern Scientific name — Leptochilus pteropus (syn. Microsorum pteropus) Also known as — Microsorum, family Polypodiaceae Origin — Southeast Asia Placement — Midground, on wood or stone Shipped size — Approx. 6+ leaves, shorter than mature height Mature height — 6–10 in Suits — 10 gallons and up Growth rate — Slow Care Difficulty — Beginner Light — Low to medium. Excess light mostly feeds algae on slow-turning leaves CO₂ — Not required 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 epiphyte. Also grows emersed Propagation — Rhizome division, plus plantlets from mature leaves Grower’s Notes Never bury the rhizome. Roots can go into substrate; the green horizontal stem cannot. Buried, it rots — the single most common way a Java Fern is killed. Small black dots in neat rows on the leaf undersides are spore clusters, not disease. They mean the plant is mature — leave them alone. Irregular brown blotches spreading through a leaf are melt, usually too much light or a nutrient shortfall. Trim the worst leaves and dose a liquid fertilizer. Plantlets form on older leaf tips. Let each grow three or four leaves and its own roots before detaching. Want a different silhouette under identical care? Try Narrow Leaf, Needle Leaf, Trident or Windeløv. For a large hardscape the Bulk Pack works out cheaper per portion. Want to go deeper? Read our complete Java Fern Care Guide. Notes Photos are for reference; leaf size, shape and count vary with lighting and growing conditions. Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways. Show more