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.
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.