Finely forked, lace-like leaf tips — at nano scale. Leptochilus pteropus 'Windelov' is the Java Fern whose fronds split into fine crests instead of ending in a point. This is the mini grade, sold as a small portion for bonsai trees, shrimp tanks and detailed hardscape work. What You'll Receive Sold as small, mini-size bare-root portion Perfect to attached to stone, driftwood or decoration Plant Profile Common name — Lace Windelov Java Fern (Mini Size), also known as Lacy Java Fern Scientific name — Leptochilus pteropus 'Windelov' (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 — tie or glue 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 Mini is a shipped grade, not a different plant. This is a small portion of 'Windelov' — it will keep growing. Buy it to fill fine detail work or to spread across several small mounts cheaply, not on the assumption it stays two inches forever. The crested tips are the whole point. Set it where it is seen close up — the front of a bonsai branch, a nano scape, the leading edge of a hardscape. At the back of a large tank the detail disappears and a plain Java Fern would do the same job for less. 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. Keep the light modest. Java Fern grows too slowly to outgrow algae, and algae in a finely branched leaf tip is close to impossible to clean out. Shade is the defense. 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. Want the full-size version? See Java Fern Lace Windelov. Want to go deeper? Read our complete Java Fern Care Guide. Notes Disclaimer: Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation. Unless specific, we don't guarantee aquatic plants will be free of pests, and pesticides, grow emerged or submerge. Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
