Bolbitis Heudelotii (Bolbitis heudelotii) Care Guide
An elegant aquatic fern with dark-green finely divided leaves that create a dramatic flowing texture when attached to driftwood.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Bolbitis heudelotii is an aquatic plant in the family Dryopteridaceae. An elegant aquatic fern with dark-green finely divided leaves that create a dramatic flowing texture when attached to driftwood. Grows slowly and prefers soft acidic water with moderate flow, making it an impressive centerpiece in blackwater setups.
Taxonomy
- Family: Dryopteridaceae
- Genus: Bolbitis
- Scientific name: Bolbitis heudelotii
- Other names: African Water Fern
Habitat
An aquatic fern native to West and Central Africa, found from Senegal to Sudan and south to Angola. Grows on rocks and submerged wood in fast-flowing streams; attaches via rhizoids and does not tolerate burial of the rhizome in substrate.
Growth requirements
- Light: low (≈30-50 PAR at substrate)
- CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
- Temperature: 20-26 °C
- pH: 5.5-7
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- Substrate: not applicable (attached to wood or stone)
- Nutrient demand: medium
- Growth rate: slow
- Difficulty: intermediate
Placement
- Recommended placement: epiphyte (attached to wood or stone)
- Maximum height: 25 cm
Propagation
In cultivation the plant is propagated by rhizome division.
Propagating African Water Fern 'Mini' (Bolbitis heudelotii 'Mini')
Overview
African water fern (Bolbitis heudelotii) is an aquatic fern native to subtropical and tropical Africa, from Ethiopia west to Senegal and down to northern South Africa. It attaches to surfaces with threadlike rootlets extending from its rhizome rather than true roots, and is best grown secured to a piece of wood rather than planted directly in the substrate. The 'Mini' selection is a smaller, more compact form but shares the same rhizome biology.
In nature the water over its sandy or rocky bottoms is fast-moving, very clean, not very hard and slightly acidic — conditions that guide how you raise new divisions.
Propagation Method (Rhizome Division)
Bolbitis is propagated by division of the rhizome. The plant has a horizontal, branch-like rhizome that should not be covered up; you cut it into sections, each retaining rootlets and fronds. Cutting all the leaves off a rhizome and retying it to wood can even promote three to four new rhizomes to start from the mother piece, though regrowth then takes longer.
Step-by-Step
- Lift the mother plant off its wood and rinse away debris.
- Cut the horizontal rhizome into sections with clean scissors, keeping rootlets and a few fronds on each.
- Tie each section to driftwood or rock with sewing thread, or use a small amount of super glue gel.
- Lay the rhizome on top of the hardscape so it stays fully exposed.
- Place the wood where there is good water flow and return it to the tank.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
Keep temperatures around 20–28 °C and a slightly acidic to neutral pH (roughly 5.0–7.0), with soft, clean water. The fern tolerates a wide range of light levels but does best in flowing water that mimics its native fast-moving streams. CO2 is not required, though stable, well-oxygenated conditions help the slow-growing divisions take hold.
Maintenance
Give the plant room — Bolbitis is intolerant of being crowded and of fish excreta, so maintain clean water and avoid packing it against other plants. As the rootlets wrap the hardscape the attachment becomes secure and any thread can be removed.
Common Challenges
This is a slow-growing plant, so expect patience before divisions visibly expand. Crowding, dirty water and high fish loads stress it, and burying the rhizome is the classic fatal mistake. Stagnant water also holds it back — restore flow if new fronds stall.
Propagating Bolbitis heudelotii: African Water Fern Rhizome Division
Overview
Bolbitis heudelotii, the African water fern, is an epiphytic fern with dark-green, finely divided pinnate leaves 15-40 cm long that grow fully submerged. Threadlike rootlets extend from its horizontal rhizome to grip rocks and wood. It is a slow grower that, given time, can develop into an impressive bush, and it does best in soft, moderately acidic water with good flow.
Propagation Method: Rhizome Division
Bolbitis is propagated by division of the rhizome - divisions and cuttings taken from the branching horizontal rhizome. You cut the rhizome into sections, each keeping a few fronds and some of the threadlike rootlets, and grow each section on as a separate plant secured to hardscape.
Step-by-Step
- Lift the fern and rinse the rhizome to see where it branches.
- With a clean blade, divide the rhizome into sections, each with several healthy fronds and rootlets.
- Attach each section to driftwood or rock with super-glue gel or sewing thread, keeping the rhizome on top of the surface.
- Place the mounts in a shaded spot with steady flow across the fronds.
- Wait as the rootlets grow and wrap around the hardscape, anchoring the division permanently.
Conditions for Healthy Growth
Bolbitis prefers soft, moderately acidic to neutral water (pH around 5.0-7.0) at 20-28 C and does best in flowing water, mirroring its native fast-moving streams. It tolerates a wide range of light but grows best in a rather shady position. Added CO2 can enhance growth but is not required.
Maintenance
Keep flow moving across the fronds and avoid crowding, as Bolbitis is intolerant of crowding and fish waste. Remove old or damaged fronds at the rhizome. Because growth is slow, divisions need weeks to establish; resist the urge to move them while the rootlets are still gripping.
Common Challenges
- Rhizome rot if it is buried in substrate - always mount it on top.
- Poor growth in stagnant water; this fern needs flow.
- Sensitivity to crowding and accumulated fish waste.
- Slow recovery after division, which is normal for this species.