Floating Fern

Floating Fern (Salvinia natans) is a small, free-floating aquatic fern native to still and slow-moving waters across Europe and Asia. Its leaves are covered in tiny water-repellent hairs that trap air bubbles, giving them a characteristic silvery sheen when viewed from below. It grows rapidly under good light, providing effective surface coverage that reduces algae growth in the water column below.

Light: medium light at the surface; grows faster under brighter conditions. CO2: not required; absorbs nutrients directly from the water column. Placement: float freely on the surface; does not require any attachment or substrate. Maintenance: skim excess growth with a net regularly to prevent complete surface coverage. Growth: moderate to fast; propagate by separating floating portions.