Java fern (Microsorum pteropus) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Leptochilus pteropus (current name), Polypodium pteropus, Java fern 'Windeløv' (Java lace fern), Java fern 'Narrow', Java fern 'Trident'
Family
Polypodiaceae (polypody fern family)
Origin
Tropical Asia: mainly Malaysia, Thailand, north-eastern India and southern China
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
17–30°C
pH
6–8
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low to medium light; CO2 not needed; leaves can turn see-through in very bright light

Care

Java fern is one of the toughest and most popular aquarium plants. It is a fern that grows attached to rocks and roots along streams, fully or partly underwater as long as its roots and rhizome stay wet. Botanists now place it in Leptochilus as Leptochilus pteropus, but it is still sold as Microsorum pteropus. Do not bury the rhizome, which rots in the substrate. Tie or glue it to wood or stone with fishing line or cotton until the roots grip. It grows slowly and needs little light or CO2. Tropica gives a height of 15–30 cm; The Aquarium Wiki records leaves up to about 75 cm long in some forms. It thrives in tap water and does well with plenty of fish. Very bright light can make leaves glassy. Brown or black spots under the leaves are spore cases, not disease. Tropica sells the plain species as well as 'Narrow', 'Trident', 'Windeløv' (crested leaf tips, also called Java lace fern), a mini on wood and Microsorum sp.; other forms include needle and lance leaf. The Aquarium Wiki gives 17–30 °C and pH 6–8 and notes it tolerates slightly brackish water. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); The Aquarium Wiki (theaquariumwiki.com/wiki/Microsorumpteropus); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsorumpteropus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Plantlets form on the tips and edges of older leaves; once they have roots, pull them off and tie them on, or let them drift and attach themselves. You can also split the rhizome into pieces, each with several leaves.

Compatibility and tank mates

Ignored by almost all fish because the leaves are tough and bitter, so it suits cichlid, goldfish and large-fish tanks where softer plants are eaten. Snails and shrimp do no harm; shrimp graze the leaves for biofilm.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.