Variety of Java fern
Flaming java fern
Leptochilus pteropus 'Flaming'
One of 15 varieties of Leptochilus pteropus · See all varieties →
Also known as Microsorum pteropus 'Flaming', Microsorum pteropus 'Flame', Java fern Flaming, Java fern Flame
FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome divisionPlantlets
Varieties · Leptochilus pteropus
See all 15 →
Care at a glance
- Light
- Low light
- CO2
- No CO₂ needed
- Temperature
- 64–82°F
- 18–28°C
- Max height
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Epiphyte
- Type
- Rhizome
- pH
- 5.0–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- Spread
- 7.9 in (20 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Origin
- Cultivated form (nursery selection, no wild range)
Overview
Flaming java fern is a beginner java fern that fills the midground. It stays around 20 cm, a little shorter than plain java fern.
Did you know
Flaming java fern grown out of water has flat, plain leaves, so a new plant can arrive without its ruffle. The ruffled, twisting edges develop on the leaves it grows underwater over the following weeks.
Caring for Flaming java fern
Tie or glue Flaming java fern to driftwood or stone, with the rhizome left in open water. A buried rhizome rots. Place it in gentle flow so the wavy leaves move.
Low light and no CO2 are enough. Extra light mostly grows algae, which is hard to clean out of the ruffled leaves. It feeds from the water, so use a liquid fertilizer rather than root tabs. It takes 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C) and also tolerates brackish water.
It grows slowly. Propagate it by cutting the rhizome into pieces with a few leaves each, or by moving the plantlets that form on older leaves.
Good to know
Flaming is a cultivar of Leptochilus pteropus in the family Polypodiaceae, also sold as Microsorum pteropus 'Flame'. Its narrow, upright leaves are ruffled and twisted along the whole edge. A clump looks like a cluster of small green flames, which gives it its name. Petite is only slightly wavy and much smaller. Flowgrow's 'Undulata' is a separate wavy java fern, a broad, lettuce-leaved plant from limestone spring pools in Krabi, Thailand.
In the wild
Flaming java fern is a trade form with no known wild population. Buce Plant and Glass Aqua both listed it in December 2018. The parent species grows on rocks, roots and wood along Southeast Asian streams and waterfalls, where water levels rise and fall with the seasons.
Common questions
Is Flaming java fern a different species from java fern?
No. Flaming java fern is a variety of java fern, Leptochilus pteropus. It reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm), against 11.8 in (30 cm) for the species.
Does Flaming java fern need to be planted in the substrate?
No. Flaming java fern grows attached to rock or wood, so tie or glue the rhizome in place. If you plant its roots, keep the rhizome above the substrate, since a buried rhizome rots.
Does Flaming java fern need CO2?
No. Flaming java fern grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.
How much light does Flaming java fern need?
Flaming java fern is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.
Does Flaming java fern need root tabs?
No. Flaming java fern feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better. Root tabs only help if its roots reach into the substrate.
How do you propagate Flaming java fern?
Flaming java fern propagates by rhizome division and plantlets. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece. Small plantlets form on the plant and can be detached once they have a few roots.
How tall does Flaming java fern grow?
Flaming java fern grows to about 7.9 in (20 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.