Variety of Java fern
Narrow Mini java fern
Leptochilus pteropus 'Narrow Mini'
One of 15 varieties of Leptochilus pteropus · See all varieties →
Also known as Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow Mini', Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow Leaf Mini', Java fern Narrow Mini, Java fern Narrow Leaf Mini, Mini Narrow Leaf java fern
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
- 3.9 in
- 10 cm
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Epiphyte
- Type
- Rhizome
- pH
- 5.0–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- Spread
- 3.9 in (10 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Origin
- Cultivated form (nursery selection, no wild range)
Overview
Narrow Mini java fern is a beginner fern for nano tanks and for fine detail on hardscape in bigger scapes. At 5 to 10 cm tall, it works in the foreground or midground.
Did you know
Narrow Mini is one of three dwarf java ferns a Thai grower sells side by side, with Narrow Dwarf and Petite. All three are listed at 10 cm or less, and leaf shape tells them apart better than height does.
Caring for Narrow Mini java fern
Tie or glue the rhizome to a small stone or thin branch and keep it out of the substrate, where it would rot. Narrow Mini java fern takes 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C) and also tolerates brackish water.
Keep the light low to hold the compact shape, since brighter light makes it stretch and feeds algae. It needs no CO2. It takes its food from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better than root tabs.
It grows slowly. Snap off plantlets from older leaves once they have roots and a few leaves, and attach them nearby to thicken the patch. Cutting the rhizome into pieces gives new plants as well.
Good to know
Narrow Mini is a dwarf cultivar of Leptochilus pteropus in the family Polypodiaceae, sold as Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow Mini' or 'Narrow Leaf Mini'. Shops describe it as Narrow Leaf's slim, lance-shaped blade at dwarf size, about half an inch (1.3 cm) wide. Narrow Leaf grows that blade 20 to 30 cm long. Petite matches its height, but its leaves are wavier and often fork at the tip.
In the wild
Narrow Mini java fern is a cultivated dwarf with no wild population. Buce Plant has listed it since 2018. The parent species grows on stream rocks and roots across Southeast Asia, both underwater and on wet banks.
Common questions
Is Narrow Mini java fern a different species from java fern?
No. Narrow Mini java fern is a variety of java fern, Leptochilus pteropus. It reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm), against 11.8 in (30 cm) for the species. It also differs in spread.
Does Narrow Mini java fern need to be planted in the substrate?
No. Narrow Mini 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 Narrow Mini java fern need CO2?
No. Narrow Mini java fern grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.
How much light does Narrow Mini java fern need?
Narrow Mini java fern is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.
Does Narrow Mini java fern need root tabs?
No. Narrow Mini 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 Narrow Mini java fern?
Narrow Mini 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 Narrow Mini java fern grow?
Narrow Mini java fern grows to about 3.9 in (10 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.