Water sprite
Ceratopteris thalictroides
Also known as Indian fern, Water fern, Oriental waterfern, Water hornfern, Watersprite, Ceratopteris siliquosa
FreshwaterBrackishFernPlantletsSpores
Care at a glance
- Light
- Medium light
- CO2
- No CO₂ needed
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- 22–28°C
- Max height
- 15 in
- 38 cm
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Placement
- Background
- Type
- Fern
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hardness
- 3–15 dGH
- Spread
- 9.8 in (25 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Family
- Pteridaceae
- Origin
- Pantropical (worldwide tropics)
Overview
Water sprite is a fast-growing fern for the background or the surface, and one of the easiest plants in the hobby. It is a great beginner choice.
Did you know
Young water sprite is eaten as a vegetable in parts of Southeast Asia. It is harvested from rice paddies and ditches and cooked much like a leafy green.
Caring for water sprite
Plant water sprite loosely in the substrate as a background plant, keeping the base of the leaves clear, or simply let it float.
It does fine in medium light with no CO2, and brighter light gives denser, more compact growth. It takes nutrients through both roots and leaves, so a liquid fertilizer plus root tabs covers it. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C). It also grows in brackish water.
It grows fast to about 15 in (38 cm), soaking up excess nitrate and shading shy fish. It propagates almost by itself. Let the baby plantlets on the leaf edges grow roots, then pinch them off and replant them or let them float.
Good to know
Water sprite is an aquatic fern in the family Pteridaceae, with finely divided, lacy fronds. It reproduces by spores rather than flowers. Its submersed and emersed leaf forms differ noticeably, and the submersed fronds are more finely cut. It is also sold as Indian fern.
In the wild
Water sprite grows throughout the world's tropics in marshes, ditches, rice paddies, ponds and slow streams. It grows either rooted in mud or drifting on the surface, and it often lives partly emersed along the water's edge. Its wide natural range means it tolerates a broad span of water conditions.
Common questions
Does water sprite need to be planted in the substrate?
Yes. Plant the roots in the substrate and keep the base of the leaves clear of it.
Does water sprite need CO2?
No. Water sprite grows well without added CO2.
How much light does water sprite need?
Water sprite wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.
Does water sprite need root tabs?
They help. Water sprite takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.
How do you propagate water sprite?
Water sprite propagates by plantlets. Small plantlets form on the plant and can be detached once they have a few roots.
How tall does water sprite grow?
Water sprite grows to about 15 in (38 cm) tall. It grows fast, so expect to trim it often.
