Tropica Bolbitis Heudelotii

Bolbitis heudelotii, the African Water Fern, is a beautiful and distinctive aquatic fern native to fast-flowing rivers and streams across tropical Africa. It grows on submerged rocks, wood, and plant debris, attaching via a creeping rhizome — a habit similar to Java Fern but with deeply pinnate, semi-translucent, dark green fronds that create a uniquely refined, intricate texture.

The deeply lobed, pinnate fronds of Bolbitis heudelotii are unlike any other common aquarium plant — each frond bears multiple pairs of deeply incised, rounded leaflets arranged along a central rachis, creating an intricately beautiful, fern-like appearance. Under good light and CO2, the fronds are a rich, dark emerald green.

Like Java Fern, the rhizome must never be buried — it is attached to driftwood or porous rock surfaces using fishing line or aquatic glue. The plant is slow to establish but extremely long-lived once settled, making it a permanent fixture in aquascapes.

Bolbitis heudelotii naturally inhabits fast-flowing, well-oxygenated water, meaning good flow and clean water are beneficial. It is more demanding than Java Fern, requiring better water quality and preferring CO2 supplementation for good growth, though it can survive in lower-tech setups with patience.

Tropica produces high-quality Bolbitis heudelotii plants from their specialist cultivation.

Light: Low to medium-high light (10–40 PAR). Grows in shade but looks best with moderate indirect light. Avoid strong direct light.

CO2: Beneficial but not strictly required. CO2 injection (10–20 mg/L) significantly improves growth rate.

Water Flow: Appreciates good water movement — fast flow mimics its natural riverine habitat and promotes strong, healthy growth.

Attachment: Never bury the rhizome. Attach to smooth rocks or driftwood with fishing line or aquatic glue. Takes 6–12 weeks to fully anchor.

Maintenance: Very low. Remove yellowing or damaged fronds. Propagate by dividing the rhizome into sections, each with at least 2–3 fronds.

Water Parameters: pH 6.0–7.5, temperature 22–28°C, soft to moderately hard water. Prefers soft, slightly acidic water.