Four-leaf Clover Fern

Four-leaf Clover Fern (Marsilea quadrifolia) is native to slow-moving waters and wet habitats across Europe and Asia. Its four-lobed clover-shaped leaves are slightly larger than those of M. hirsuta, creating a denser, meadow-like effect at the foreground of planted tanks. Under good lighting and with nutrient supplementation it spreads reliably via runners, filling in foreground areas with minimal effort.

Light: medium light; higher light improves carpeting density and leaf quality. CO2: beneficial; CO2 and substrate fertilisation speed up runner production significantly. Planting: plant individual plantlets shallowly, 2–3 cm apart; allow runners to spread naturally. Trimming: trim with fine scissors to maintain an even carpet height of 3–5 cm. Growth: moderate; spreads via runners; propagate by separating runners and replanting.