Variety of Java fern
Philippine Mini java fern
Leptochilus pteropus 'Philippine Mini'
One of 15 varieties of Leptochilus pteropus · See all varieties →
Also known as Microsorum pteropus 'Philippine Mini', Microsorum 'Philippine Mini', Microsorum pteropus 'Philippines Mini', Java fern Philippine Mini, Java fern Philippines Mini
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 (trade selection of unknown origin)
Overview
Philippine Mini java fern is a dwarf java fern for the foreground of a nano or shrimp tank, where full-size Philippine would grow too tall. It suits beginners and grows on stone or wood.
Did you know
Aquarium Plants Factory lists Philippine Mini at 5 to 10 cm tall and its full-size Philippine at 20 to 35 cm. The mini carries the same hammered leaf on a plant about a quarter the height.
Caring for Philippine Mini java fern
Glue or tie Philippine Mini java fern to a small stone or a bonsai-style branch, and keep the rhizome out of the substrate. A buried rhizome rots.
Low light and no CO2 are enough for it. It feeds from the water column, so dose a liquid fertilizer rather than root tabs. It grows at 64 to 82°F (18 to 28°C).
Flowgrow says the full-size Philippine does poorly in very soft, acidic water and suggests 10 dGH and a pH of 6.6 or more. Moderately hard water is the safer start for the mini.
Growth is slow, so trimming means removing an old leaf now and then. Plantlets form on the plant and can come off once they have a few roots. An older rhizome can also be cut into pieces with several leaves each.
Good to know
Philippine Mini is a dwarf form of java fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is now Leptochilus pteropus but still sold as Microsorum pteropus. Its leaves have the bumpy surface of the Philippine form, but they are much narrower and arch out from the rhizome. Full-size Philippine has broader leaves. Petite java fern is about as small, with short, wavy leaves that lack the hammered texture.
In the wild
Philippine Mini java fern is a cultivated form of unknown origin, though one US shop lists Indonesia. A Thai grower sells it next to its Petite, and a Singapore shop offers it as tissue culture. The full-size Philippine form comes from Panay in the Philippines. The species, Leptochilus pteropus, grows on rocks and wood along streams across Southeast Asia.
Common questions
Is Philippine Mini java fern a different species from java fern?
No. Philippine 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 Philippine Mini java fern need to be planted in the substrate?
No. Philippine 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 Philippine Mini java fern need CO2?
No. Philippine Mini java fern grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.
How much light does Philippine Mini java fern need?
Philippine Mini java fern is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.
Does Philippine Mini java fern need root tabs?
No. Philippine 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 Philippine Mini java fern?
Philippine 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 Philippine Mini java fern grow?
Philippine Mini java fern grows to about 3.9 in (10 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.