Variety of Java fern
Thor's Trident java fern
Leptochilus pteropus 'Thor's Trident'
One of 15 varieties of Leptochilus pteropus · See all varieties →
Also known as Microsorum pteropus 'Thor's Trident', Java fern Thor's Trident, Microsorum pteropus var. Thor's Trident, Thor's Hammer Trident
FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome divisionPlantlets
Varieties · Leptochilus pteropus
See all 15 →
Care at a glance
- Light
- Low light
- CO2
- No CO₂ needed
- Temperature
- 64–86°F
- 18–30°C
- Max height
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Epiphyte
- Type
- Rhizome
- pH
- 5.5–8.0
- Hardness
- 0–20 dGH
- Spread
- 5.9 in (15 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Origin
- Cultivated selection of Southeast Asian Leptochilus pteropus
Overview
Thor's Trident java fern is a slow-growing java fern with narrow, forked leaves that lives on driftwood or rock. It is an easy plant for a low-light, low-tech tank.
Did you know
Java fern is one of the few aquarium plants that reproduces mostly by making tiny clones of itself on its leaf tips. That lets you grow a whole colony of Thor's Trident without ever cutting the parent plant.
Caring for Thor's Trident java fern
Glue or tie the rhizome to driftwood or rock, and never bury it, or it will rot. Thor's Trident java fern grows in low light with no added CO2. It takes nutrients through its roots and from the water, so a liquid fertilizer covers it.
It is slow and nearly bulletproof. It tolerates a wide range of conditions, from pH 5.5 to 8 and 64 to 86°F (18 to 30°C), including slightly brackish water.
It spreads by producing plantlets on older fronds. Detach them and reattach them elsewhere, or divide the rhizome. Black dots on the undersides of the leaves are usually sori, the spore cases, not disease.
Good to know
Thor's Trident is a hobbyist cultivar of java fern with unusually narrow leaves that fork into fine, multi-pronged tips. It is a more delicate version of the standard Trident. Java fern belongs to the true fern family Polypodiaceae, and recent taxonomic work moves it from Microsorum into the genus Leptochilus. As a fern, it reproduces by spores in nature.
In the wild
Thor's Trident java fern is a nursery selection of Leptochilus pteropus. In the wild, java fern grows across Southeast Asia, clinging to rocks and wood along streams and in seasonally flooded forest. It lives with its rhizome exposed, not rooted in soil. It shifts easily between submersed and emersed growth, which is how it survives changing water levels in its native range.
Common questions
Is Thor's Trident java fern a different species from java fern?
No. Thor's Trident 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. It also differs in difficulty, hardness, feeding, pH, spread and temperature.
Does Thor's Trident java fern need to be planted in the substrate?
No. Thor's Trident 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 Thor's Trident java fern need CO2?
No. Thor's Trident java fern grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.
How much light does Thor's Trident java fern need?
Thor's Trident java fern is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.
Does Thor's Trident java fern need root tabs?
No. Thor's Trident 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 Thor's Trident java fern?
Thor's Trident 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 Thor's Trident java fern grow?
Thor's Trident java fern grows to about 7.9 in (20 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.