Microsorum pteropus 'Latifolia' Care Guide
Microsorum pteropus 'Latifolia' is a broad-leaf java fern cultivar with shorter, wider blades, grown as an epiphyte on hardscape.
Overview
Java fern, Microsorum pteropus, is an epiphytic fern of the family Polypodiaceae and one of the most popular aquarium plants due to its hardiness. The 'Latifolia' cultivar is a broad-leaf form with shorter, wider blades than the type, used as a bold epiphytic accent.
Taxonomy
- Family: Polypodiaceae
- Genus: Microsorum
- Scientific name: Microsorum pteropus 'Latifolia'
- Common name: java fern (broad-leaf)
Habitat
Java fern originates from Southeast Asia and is known predominantly from Malaysia, Thailand, northeastern India and parts of southern China. It is an epiphyte, attaching to surfaces rather than rooting in substrate, and can grow fully or partially submerged provided its roots and rhizome stay wet.
Aquarium requirements
- Temperature: 20-28 °C (68-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 3-12 °dGH
- Lighting: low
- CO2: not required
- Placement: epiphyte (on hardscape)
- Maximum height: about 25 cm
Java fern tolerates a wide range of conditions, including tap water and dim or bright light, with or without a gravel substrate. It should be secured to rock or driftwood by tying or gluing the roots from the rhizome, rather than planted into substrate, as burying the rhizome causes it to rot. It is snail-resistant and tolerates higher fish bioloads.
Care and growth
Growth rate is slow and the plant is low-maintenance once attached. Because it is undemanding it is well suited to low-tech and beginner setups.
Propagation
Java fern reproduces asexually through adventitious plantlets that form on the leaf tips and margins of mature foliage. These develop their own roots and can be detached and relocated to grow into new plants.