Trichomanes javanicum (Trichomanes javanicum) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Cephalomanes javanicum, Filmy fern
Family
Hymenophyllaceae (filmy fern family)
Origin
Tropical South-East Asia (not confirmed from our sources)
Water
freshwater
Temperature
18–26°C
Care level
expert
Lighting
Low light; very high humidity (grown out of water)

Care

Warning: Trichomanes javanicum is a land (or at most bog) plant, not a true aquatic plant. Kept fully underwater it slowly weakens and dies, often over several months, so it is best grown emersed in a paludarium or with only its roots in water. Trichomanes javanicum is a filmy fern, now often placed in Cephalomanes, appearing on Wikipedia's list of land plants sold as aquarium plants. We could not reach a fuller source. Filmy ferns have very thin fronds and need constantly saturated air, so they do best in a closed, shady terrarium or paludarium, on wet wood or rock just above the water, never submerged. Sources: Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Not covered by our sources. Filmy ferns are usually divided at the creeping rhizome.

Compatibility and tank mates

Do not sell or buy this as a true aquarium plant. It belongs in a paludarium, terrarium or on a windowsill with its roots in water, out of reach of fish.

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

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