Source: Wikimedia Commons
Salvinia cucullata
BeginnerSalvinia cucullata
A tropical Asian floating fern whose velvety, light green floating leaves curl up like boats or hoods. Well grown it forms thick cushions; under poor conditions the leaves lie flat.
About
Salvinia cucullata is a free-floating fern (Salviniaceae) of tropical Asia that grows only in sunny places in the wild. It is sometimes kept as an aquarium floater but is far less common in the hobby than the S. auriculata group (above all S. molesta) and S. minima. The epithet cucullata means hood-like: in well-grown plants the densely set, velvety, light green floating leaves roll up like boats or funnels, their margins standing well above the water. That is the field mark, since other species keep their leaves flat. Like all Salvinia it bears two floating leaves and one root-like submerged leaf at each node, and it branches freely into thick cushions. Another distinction is that the hairs on the upper leaf surface stand singly and irregularly, whereas in the S. auriculata group and S. minima they usually stand in fours on papillae. With too little light or nutrients it produces stunted, flat-leaved forms that are hard to tell from S. molesta and others. A few specialist shops in Japan sell it.
Temperature & humidity for the Salvinia cucullata
The ideal temperature for the Salvinia cucullata is 24〜28℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Tropical Asia
Lifespan
Perennial floater; keeps multiplying by breaking apart
Size
Floating leaves a few cm; branches into thick mats
Temperature
24〜28℃
Watering & Fertilizer
Takes nutrients from the water; leaves go flat and small when starved
Growing Tips
Lighting
Needs medium to strong light; without it the leaves stay flat and stunted instead of curling.
CO2 & Fertilizer
No CO2 needed. Supplement with liquid fertiliser, as leaves shrink when nutrients run low.
Water Temperature & Quality
Optimum 24–28°C; not fussy about water chemistry.
Substrate & Attachment
Grown floating; it cannot grow emersed. Open-topped tanks show off the upturned leaf margins.
Trimming & Propagation
Very fast-growing and multiplies as stems break apart; scoop out the surplus.
Cautions
Stunted plants are hard to tell from S. molesta, a Priority Control Alien Species in Japan. It can cover the surface, so never dump or release it outdoors.
Salvinia cucullata FAQ
QWhat is the growing difficulty level for Salvinia cucullata?
Beginner. A variety suitable for beginners. No special equipment or experience is required—you can grow it without problems by setting up a basic cultivation environment.
QWhat is the ideal temperature for Salvinia cucullata?
The ideal temperature for Salvinia cucullata is 24〜28℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
QHow should I water and fertilize Salvinia cucullata?
Salvinia cucullata: watering & fertilizer — Takes nutrients from the water; leaves go flat and small when starved. Aim for appropriate frequency and amount.
QWhat is the typical price for Salvinia cucullata?
The price of Salvinia cucullata varies significantly by variety, characteristics, size, and lineage. Please check GrowerDirect's price guide for the latest market information.
Last updated: September 23, 2026
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: GrowerDirect Editorial Team
The classifications, regulations, and growing data on this page are created and verified based on the primary information database below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not listed in CITES (no match in Species+). Not regulated under Japan's Invasive Alien Species Act or Species Conservation Act. This species is not listed, but its relative S. molesta is a Priority Control Alien Species in the Ministry of the Environment's 2nd edition list (September 2026), and poorly grown S. cucullata is hard to tell apart from it. Never dump aquatic plants into rivers, ponds or ditches, or flush them away with tank water. Drain unwanted plants and trimmings and dispose of them as household waste.
Sources: Species+ (CITES listing check) / Ministry of the Environment: list of Invasive Alien Species (Invasive Alien Species Act) / Ministry of the Environment: alien species list, plants (2nd ed.)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Related Species
Find listings for this species
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