Willow Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica) Care Guide
A coldwater moss with long trailing dark-green fronds composed of tightly overlapping triangular leaves.
Overview
Fontinalis antipyretica is an aquatic plant in the family Fontinalaceae. A coldwater moss with long trailing dark-green fronds composed of tightly overlapping triangular leaves. Naturally found in cool streams and rivers, it thrives best in cooler aquariums with good water flow, making it perfect for coldwater and temperate biotope setups.
Taxonomy
- Family: Fontinalaceae
- Genus: Fontinalis
- Scientific name: Fontinalis antipyretica
- Other names: Fontinalis Antipyretica, Greater Water Moss
Habitat
A widespread aquatic moss of cool, well-oxygenated streams, rivers and lakes throughout the temperate zones of Europe, North America and Asia. Grows attached to stones and submerged wood, often in fast-flowing sections.
Growth requirements
- Light: low (≈30-50 PAR at substrate)
- CO2: optional (CO2 improves growth and coloration)
- Temperature: 10-22 °C
- pH: 6-8
- GH: 3-15 °dGH
- Substrate: not required (rootless or free-floating)
- Nutrient demand: low
- Growth rate: slow
- Difficulty: intermediate
Placement
- Recommended placement: attached to wood or stone (epiphyte)
- Maximum height: 15 cm
- Trim every: 30 days
Propagation
In cultivation the plant is propagated by vegetative division or fragmentation.