The Philippine Java Fern at nano scale. Leptochilus pteropus 'Philippine Mini' keeps the narrow, softly waved leaf of the full-size cultivar but tops out at 2-4 inches — which is what makes it usable in a shrimp tank or on a bonsai branch where the standard form would swallow the layout. 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 — Philippine Mini Java Fern Scientific name — Leptochilus pteropus 'Philippine Mini' (syn. Microsorum pteropus) Origin — Cultivated form; the species is native to Southeast Asia Placement — Foreground to midground, attached to driftwood, stone or décor Mature height — 2-4 inches Growth rate — Slow Care Difficulty — Beginner Light — Low to medium CO₂ — Not required Water — 68-82°F, pH 6.0-7.5, soft to moderately hard 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 Scale is the reason to choose Mini. Full-size Java Fern Philippine reaches 8-14 inches and dominates a small tank. This one gives the same narrow waved leaf at a size that keeps a nano scape in proportion. 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. Java Fern reproduces by growing plantlets along the leaf margins. Leave a spotted leaf in place until each plantlet has roots and two or three leaves, then detach and attach it elsewhere. On a small plant this is how you build a group. Keep the light modest. It grows slowly enough that strong lighting mostly feeds algae — and algae on a 2-inch leaf is far harder to clean off than on a large one. Expect a change of leaf. We grow this emersed, so some arriving fronds will die back as it converts to submerged growth. As long as the rhizome stays firm and green, new leaves follow. Want to go deeper? Read our complete Java Fern Care Guide. Notes Photos are sample representations. Actual plants may vary in size, shape, or coloration. Unless otherwise specified, we do not guarantee plants are free of pests, pesticides, or exclusively submerged-grown. Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
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