Want Java Fern that fits a nano tank? Java Fern 'Petite' is the smallest of the family — narrow upright leaves two to four inches tall, holding the same near-indestructible rhizome as the full-size plant. It gives you Java Fern reliability at a scale that doesn't swallow small hardscape. What You’ll Receive Sold as loose bare-root plants, bunched plants, or potted plants: Bare-root Plants: Approximately 6+ leaf portion, loose rhizome Bunched Plants: Approximately 6+ leaf portion bundled with foam and plant weight Potted Plants: Approximately 6+ leaf portion, potted in rockwool and net pot Plant Profile Common name — Java Fern Petite Scientific name — Leptochilus pteropus 'Petite' Also known as — Microsorum pteropus 'Petite' (the older name, still widely used) Origin — Southeast Asia Placement — Foreground to midground, on wood or stone Shipped size — Approx. 6+ leaf portion, roughly 1-3 in Mature height — 2–4 in Suits — 5 gallons and up Growth rate — Slow Care Difficulty — Beginner Light — Low to medium. Low light keeps it compact; bright light means algae CO₂ — Not required Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard Substrate — Not required. Attaches to hardscape and feeds from the water column Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed Propagation — Rhizome division, plus plantlets on mature leaves Grower’s Notes Never bury the rhizome. Tie or glue it to wood or rock with the rhizome fully exposed — buried in substrate it rots, and this is how most Java Ferns are lost. It clones itself. Small plantlets form along the edges and tips of mature leaves. Once one has a few leaves and roots, snap it off and attach it elsewhere — one portion becomes many over a year. Black spots on older leaves are usually plantlet sites or normal ageing, not disease. Grown emersed at our nursery, which builds a strong rhizome. Expect a short transition as it converts to submerged growth. At 2-4 inches this is the one Java Fern that genuinely suits a 5-gallon tank. The standard form reaches 6-10 inches and will dominate that space. Want the full-size version? See standard Java Fern, or the forked Trident Java Fern. Want to go deeper? Read our complete Java Fern Care Guide. Notes Photos are sample representations. Actual plants may vary in size, shape, or colouration. Unless otherwise specified, we do not guarantee plants are free of pests, pesticides, or exclusively submerged-grown. Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
