Heudelotii Bolbitis

A fern that keeps its leaves separate and distinct rather than forming the tangled growth that many aquatic ferns do. Bolbitis heudelotii comes from West African streams and rivers, where it grows attached to rocks and wood in shaded places. Each leaf is a dark, translucent green with a net-like vein pattern that is visible up close.

The rhizome creeps slowly across hardscape and must not be buried — like Java Fern, it rots if the rhizome is covered by substrate. It is best tied to wood or stone with fishing line or superglue until the roots take hold. Allow newly attached portions time to establish before moving them.

Moderate light and soft, slightly acidic water at pH 5 to 7 and 22 to 25 °C are the steady conditions it needs. Added CO₂ can assist growth, while the fern remains a comparatively slow-growing hardscape plant. Maintain an adequate nutrient supply and inspect the leaves for deterioration instead of assuming a slow-growing fern cannot develop a deficiency.

The leaves are tough enough that plant-eating fish like silver dollars and some cichlids leave it alone, which is rare among aquatic plants. Propagation is by cutting the rhizome: retain healthy leaves and roots on each division. It can also grow emersed in moist terrarium conditions.