Microsorum pteropus 'Short'

Microsorum pteropus 'Short' is a selected cultivar bred for its reduced stature, producing the classic broad, tongue-shaped Java fern fronds on a noticeably more compact plant. Fronds typically reach only 10–15 cm, making this cultivar one of the most versatile in the group — suitable for foreground and midground use in standard tanks, and as a principal accent plant in smaller or nano aquariums. The fronds are rich dark green with a slightly leathery texture.

This cultivar retains all the renowned hardiness of the Java fern group, tolerating low light, a wide range of water parameters, and negligent fertilisation routines. It is an excellent beginner plant and a reliable workhorse for aquascapers who need a compact epiphyte with a classic look. The slower growth of this short form means it stays tidy for longer periods between pruning, and like other Java ferns it propagates by producing small adventitious plantlets on mature frond margins and undersides.