Description

Java fern is, alongside anubias, the most recommended plant to start with: elongated deep green leaves, unhurried growth and notable tolerance of low light and hard water. Like the whole family, it grows from a rhizome that must stay above the substrate. There are sought-after varieties — Windelov, Trident, Narrow Leaf — that are cared for identically and differ only in leaf shape.
Scientific name
Microsorum pteropus
Position
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Natural grow
Slow
Max height
30 cm

🌊 Water parameters

pH
5.5 - 8
GH
2 - 20
Temperature
20 - 28 °C
Current
Low or moderate

Requirements

Light requirements
Low
Light spectrum requirements
6000 - 8000 (Kelvin)
Require CO2
no
Soil requirements
Rocks or wood

Habitats

Sources

  • GBIF
    GBIF Secretariat (2026). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset. https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei. Consultado vía GBIF.org, 2026-08. Microsorum pteropus.

Taxonomy verified.

Discrepancy: GBIF gives Microsorum pteropus as a SYNONYM of Leptochilus pteropus subsp. pteropus, which is the record the link points to. The profile keeps Microsorum pteropus, the name Java fern is sold under.

The aquarium care values (light, substrate, CO2 and water ranges) have no citable source: GBIF supports the taxonomy and distribution, not the cultivation. A source for plants is still to be agreed.