Propagation is a useful procedure in the soil and water garden. You should also trim any burned or damaged foliage while pruning. However, if you are aiming for a bushy appearance, let the plant grow as it likes. This will keep the plant from tangling or growing too big. To prevent the plant from taking up space in the tank, you should prune the tiny plantlets on the leaves. Pruning for this aquarium plant entirely depends on what type of growth and look you need in the tank or aquarium. I would suggest you supply a liquid fertilizer that can be added whenever water is changed. Solid fertilizers are not recommended for this plant as it does not have true plant roots. But, it doesn’t mean you can’t add extra to help the plant thrive.įertilizer is optional for this beautiful fern, but it definitely helps in growth. Just like other water garden plants, this one also takes nutrients from the water. This plant can be planted in any tropical or cold water tank. The water temperature for growing a Java Fern should be around 68 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 27.7 degrees Celsius). Since this is an aquarium plant, you should be concerned with the water temperature rather than the atmosphere temperature. If you accidentally expose the plant to strong light, you should dim or turn off the lights for a few days and let the plant recover on its own. It’s not very finicky about the lights, so you can use incandescent bulbs or a dim fluorescent bulb in the tank. This water plant needs low to moderate light for growth. The filters in your aquarium will supply oxygen for this fern. This one grows close to streams and rivers. Try to replicate the natural environment of this plant in the tank. Just like potted and garden plants, this one also needs a growing environment similar to its natural habitat. It is safe to be kept around different varieties of fish. This plant can be placed alone or grouped with other varieties of Java Ferns. It cleanses the water by absorbing some of the nitrates in the tank. It loves growing in a freshwater aquarium, so it’s always in high demand. The overall shape of the leaves depends on the variety you are growing, but they are mostly spiky or bushy, varying in hues of green.

I would recommend buying the one that comes with driftwood so you can directly transfer it to your aquarium.Īnother reason for its popularity in aquariums is the unappealing leaf structure which prevents the fishes from eating the plant.Įven the taste is unpleasant and bitter, so herbivore fishes also avoid it. You’ll find it in almost every fish store, and it’s not expensive. This plant was first described in 1833 by a botanist named Karl Ludwig Blume. In the native area of South East Asia (China, Taiwan, and Malaysia), this jungle plant is found growing in different locations such as on top of rocks, the waterline of the streams, and next to trees. This would be a perfect plant for your water garden. The scientific name is Microsorum Pteropus, and it comes from the Polypodiaceae family. The Java Fern grows slowly, looks beautiful, and is easy to care for. If you are searching for an aquarium plant, we have a suggestion.

Malaysian red java fern