Variety of Java fern
Philippine java fern
Leptochilus pteropus 'Philippine'
One of 15 varieties of Leptochilus pteropus · See all varieties →
Also known as Microsorum pteropus 'Philippine', Java fern Philippine, Microsorum pteropus sp. Philippine
FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome divisionPlantlets
Varieties · Leptochilus pteropus
See all 15 →
Care at a glance
- Light
- Low light
- CO2
- CO₂ beneficial
- Temperature
- 68–82°F
- 20–28°C
- Max height
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Epiphyte
- Type
- Rhizome
- pH
- 6.6–7.8
- Hardness
- 6–20 dGH
- Spread
- 5.9 in (15 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Origin
- Philippines (island of Panay)
Overview
Philippine java fern is a slow-growing java fern that lives on wood or stone rather than in the substrate. It is an easy plant for a low-light, low-tech tank.
Did you know
Philippine java fern prefers harder, less acidic water than typical java fern. That is the opposite of what most aquarists assume about the group.
Caring for Philippine java fern
Tie or glue the rhizome to wood or stone, and never bury it, because a buried rhizome rots. Philippine java fern grows in low light with no added CO2, but it is slow to establish. CO2 and nutrient-rich water speed it up.
It feeds through its roots and from the water column, so a liquid fertilizer keeps it supplied. Unlike most java ferns, it dislikes very soft, acidic water. Aim for about 10 dGH or more and a pH near 6.6 or above, at 68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C).
Growth stays slow, so it rarely needs trimming. Older leaf tips sprout baby plantlets, which you can detach once they have roots and tie down elsewhere. You can also cut the rhizome into pieces, each with several leaves.
Good to know
Philippine java fern is a cultivar of java fern, introduced to the hobby by the Danish nursery Tropica. The species has been reclassified from Microsorum pteropus to the accepted name Leptochilus pteropus, though the aquarium trade still uses the old name. It belongs to the fern family Polypodiaceae. Its narrow, upright leaves have a pronounced hammered, structured surface.
In the wild
Philippine java fern was collected in the Philippines, on the island of Panay. There it often grows in or near brackish-influenced water. Like all java ferns, it is an epiphyte that anchors its rhizome to rocks and wood rather than rooting in substrate.
Common questions
Is Philippine java fern a different species from java fern?
No. Philippine 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. Added CO2 helps it, while the species grows well without. It also differs in difficulty, hardness, feeding, pH, spread and temperature.
Does Philippine java fern need to be planted in the substrate?
No. Philippine 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 Philippine java fern need CO2?
No, but it helps. Philippine java fern can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.
How much light does Philippine java fern need?
Philippine java fern is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.
Does Philippine java fern need root tabs?
No. Philippine 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 Philippine java fern?
Philippine 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 Philippine java fern grow?
Philippine java fern grows to about 7.9 in (20 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.