Bolbitis heudelotii

African Water Fern, Congo Fern, African Fern

Moderate careSemi-aquaticNon-toxic15–50 cm

A creeping African fern from tropical river systems, where it grows attached to submerged rocks and driftwood in fast-flowing, shaded streams. In an aquarium it produces translucent, deep-green pinnate fronds that wave gently in the current; in a paludarium it can grow emersed above the waterline, where the fronds become stiffer and more opaque but the plant remains architecturally striking. It does not root into substrate — the rhizome must be tied or glued to a piece of hardscape — and it is sensitive to hard or alkaline water, which causes the leaves to dissolve. It does best at 22–26 °C in soft, slightly acidic water with low to medium light.

Build a terrarium with this plant
African Water Fern image

Photo by Zaire·CC BY-SA 4.0

Care

Light

Shade tolerant(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

Very high (80%+)(preferred)High (60–80%)

Temperature

20°C30°C40°C
20°C – 28°C

Soil

Rocky(preferred)

Moisture

Wet(preferred)Moist

Soil pH

5.5 – 7

Appearance

Growth habit

CreepingClumping

Leaf shape

CompoundToothed

Leaf texture

SmoothLeathery

Distribution

Propagation

Use a sharp, sterile blade to cut the rhizome into sections, each with at least 2–3 healthy fronds attached. Tie each section to a piece of driftwood or rock using cotton thread or thin fishing line; the thread dissolves or can be removed once the roots have gripped the surface, usually after two to three weeks. Avoid disturbing newly attached sections — the rhizome is sensitive to movement during re-establishment.