September Plant of the Month - Java Fern

[reiverix]

Microsorium pteropus

Other Names : Java fern (broad leaf, narrow leaf, lace)

Origin : Southeast Asia

Growth Rate : Slow

Planting Area : All. Typically attached to wood or rocks.

Lighting Level: Very low - High

Propagation: Rhizome division and adventitious shoots.

Difficulty: Easy

Temperature: 65-85 F

Size: 15+ inches for broad leaf. Narrow leaf and lace variants are smaller.

Availability: Very common


When someone asks for an easy low light plant that requires virtually no maintenance, the responses nearly always include java fern. This is a plant that can tolerate almost all FW conditions and is very forgiving of user error. So ultimately it is an excellent first choice plant for beginners. It looks good too and is great for adding a touch of life to a piece of driftwood or a rocky area. In low end brackish water (1.005 or less) it will also do quite well.

Java fern has distinctive elongated speare shaped leaves fixed to a rhizome and are a dark green shade. It is also a true fern so don't expect flowers even if grown emersed in a humid environment. You may notice black spots under the leaves of java fern. These are actually reproductive organs called sporangia and are not a sign of deficiency or disease.

In time, the rhizome will creep in length and start branching as new leaves are formed. To propagate the plant you can just split the rhizome with a sharp knife or scissors and replant the cutting. Another common method of propagation is by detaching adventitious shoots. These are miniature plantlets that form on the leaves of the mother plant. When they reach a few inches in length, you can pick them off and place them elsewhere. These plantlets will detach by themselves eventually so don't be surprised if you find a tiny java fern hidden among a bunch of stems.

Planting java fern is another consideration. The rhizome of the plant contains long brown filamentous paraphyses (thanks OG) used for clinging to surfaces. There are many ways to attach the plant to wood or rocks but common methods are rubber bands, fishing line or thread. After a week or two (depending on the porosity of the object) the plant will have taken hold and you can remove any fasteners. It is also possible to plant in the substrate as long as the rhizome is not buried.

Although it is an easy plant to keep, it still requires food just like any other plant. In a low light setup, water changes may be all that is required to provide enough ferts. Some additional traces and macros could be needed if the plant mass is large. Signs of deficiences are yellowing or blackening of the leaves (Mg, N, or Fe), pinholes (K), or twisted and stunted growth (Ca). Java fern also grows well under high light/CO2 aquariums and will grow faster with these setups. Growth is still extremely slow compared to stems and rosettes.




This bunch of java fern started to break the surface in my 75g. They grow quite big if left alone.




Narrow leaf java fern has totally covered a piece of driftwood.




Lace java fern has frilly leaf tips.




Adventitious shoot ready for picking.

[nursie]

Nice article and pics!!

[sarcare]

Great article and pics!

The Java fern log you gave me looks fabulous in my tank--there are advantagous platlets all over--I've transfered some to the 55g already! And the corys love to hide under it.

[DeputyChiefJR]

Go Java Fern!

[Naps]

Great stuff!! Nice pics and well written!!

[wesleydnunder]

Great job, John.

Mark

[mvigor]

Photos are unlinked today. I'd love to see them though.

[Roan]

Hrm, I know you are including narrow-leaf, reiverix, but FWIK true narrow leaf is its own specie, Microsorium brassii (or brasii, brassi).

It's common in New Guinea:





Very narrow leaves that can grow about ½-1" wide and 12+" long, though most of my longer leaves are under 1" in width by quite a bit.

For reference:

png_aquatic

Roan

[reiverix]

Yep you are absolutely correct. The article should probably have been more general. I've grown broad leaf, narrow leaf and lace java fern and haven't noticed any difference in requirements.

[Roan]

Originally Posted by reiverix

Yep you are absolutely correct. The article should probably have been more general. I've grown broad leaf, narrow leaf and lace java fern and haven't noticed any difference in requirements.

Yep, no difference at all in requirements. IMO, just broaden it a bit and include both specie names. You can take/use those pics of my brassii if you like.

Roan