Java fern 'Windeløv'

Java fern 'Windeløv' key facts

Growing Difficulty

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

Perennial; can be kept indefinitely by dividing the rhizome

Size

10–20 cm tall and wide

Temperature

20〜28℃

Watering

Grows without CO2 or fertiliser; additions speed up growth

Lighting

Grows in low light; strong light invites algae, so a shaded position is best.

CO2 & Fertilizer

Grows without CO2; CO2 and fertiliser speed up growth.

Water Temperature & Quality

Optimum 20–28°C; grows at pH 5–8 and is not fussy about water.

Substrate & Attachment

Tie the rhizome to wood or stone. If planting in the substrate, keep the rhizome uncovered.

Trimming & Propagation

Slow-growing. Propagate by dividing the rhizome or removing leaf plantlets.

Cautions

Confirm the cultivar by its finely divided tips; coarser-lobed cultivars are easily confused with it. Never release plants into the wild.

About Java fern 'Windeløv'

A Java fern cultivar with finely forked, cluster-like leaf tips. Grown attached to driftwood or rock, this hardy perennial forms a bushy 10-20 cm clump and is easy for beginners to keep.

7 things to know before growing Java fern 'Windeløv'

1. 1Attach to driftwood or rock

   The natural way to grow this fern is to let its thin roots wrap around and attach to driftwood or rock. Tying it lightly with thread or a rubber band for a few weeks to months lets it root in place naturally. This also makes it easy to arrange within your aquascape.

2. 2Don't plant it in substrate

   Burying the rhizome in the substrate can cause it to rot from lack of oxygen. Substrate isn't required — the plant can be attached to hardscape or even left floating. If placed near the substrate, keep the rhizome itself above the soil line.

3. 3Grows fine under weak light

   This fern is tough enough to grow without strong lighting, even in shaded spots at the back of a tank. Prolonged strong light can actually encourage dark algae to form on the leaves, so moderate lighting tends to be easier to manage.

4. 4Tolerates a wide temperature range

   This plant tolerates the same water temperature range typically used for tropical fish tanks. Avoid prolonged extreme heat or cold, and keep temperature swings gradual to maintain it well over the long term.

5. 5Propagate by dividing the rhizome

   Once the rhizome has grown long enough, you can propagate the fern by cutting it into sections with a knife or scissors. Make sure each section keeps some leaves and roots attached, which helps it reattach and grow smoothly afterward.

6. 6Watch summer heat

   During hot months, using ventilation or a cooling fan to keep tank temperatures from rising too high helps prevent the plant from struggling. Growth slows in cooler months, but it rarely dies back unless temperatures drop to extremes.

7. 7What to look for when choosing a plant

   When choosing a plant, look for one with well-defined, forked leaf tips and no blackened or mushy patches on the leaves. A plump, firm rhizome is also a good sign that it will attach and grow well afterward.

Frequently asked questions about Java fern 'Windeløv'

Q.Can I plant it directly in the substrate?

A.Burying the rhizome in substrate can make it rot from lack of oxygen, so it's best avoided. Attaching it to driftwood or rock, or letting it float, is the recommended approach.

Q.How big does it grow?

A.It forms a bushy clump roughly 10-20 cm tall and wide. It rarely grows larger than that, making it an easy size to work with even in compact layouts.

Q.Is it suitable for beginners?

A.Yes, it's generally considered beginner-friendly. As a perennial, it can be maintained for a long time by dividing its rhizome, making it an easy plant to keep.

Q.How do I propagate it?

A.You can propagate it by cutting the elongated rhizome into sections with a knife or scissors. Keeping some leaves and roots on each section helps it establish afterward.

Q.Does it need CO2 injection or strong lighting?

A.Neither is required. It's hardy enough to grow under weak light and is generally easy to keep even in tanks without CO2 injection.

Handy Growing Tools for Java fern 'Windeløv'

Learn more about Java fern 'Windeløv' in the encyclopedia

More in this category