Windelov java fern
Microsorum pteropus 'Windelov'
easy careOverview
Windelov java fern (Microsorum pteropus ‘Windelov’) is a cultivated form of the classic java fern, selected for its beautiful finely branched, lace-like leaf tips. It keeps all the toughness of the parent plant — near-indestructible, ignored by most fish, tolerant of a wide range of water — but trades the plain fronds for intricate, forked ends that give a scape a soft, textured look. Like every java fern it is a rhizome plant that attaches to hardscape rather than rooting in substrate, and it is a superb, foolproof choice for beginners.
Planting & placement
The rule that governs all java ferns applies here: never bury the rhizome. The thick horizontal stem must stay in open water. Tie or glue the rhizome to driftwood or rock and let the roots grip the surface over time. It stays fairly compact (15–20 cm) and works beautifully in the midground, especially on wood where the lacy tips can spread. See how to plant aquarium plants for the tying technique, and pair it with anubias on the same hardscape for contrast.
Light, CO2 & ferts
Windelov is low-tech. Low to medium light is ideal — under strong light java ferns often develop black, crispy patches and algae on older leaves. It needs no CO2. Because it feeds through its leaves rather than roots, a liquid water-column fertilizer is more useful than root tabs; a modest weekly dose keeps the delicate tips deep green. Growth is slow, so give it time to establish.
Propagation & problems
Windelov propagates just like standard java fern. Mature leaves grow tiny plantlets — baby ferns with their own roots — along their edges and tips; once they have a few leaves, detach them and attach them elsewhere. You can also divide the rhizome into sections, each with roots and leaves. The usual “problem,” brown spotting, is normally either this reproduction or a buried rhizome, not disease. Keep the rhizome exposed, the light modest, and this lacy java fern is as bulletproof as they come.
Windelov java fern — frequently asked questions
Do I plant Windelov java fern in the substrate?
No. Like all java ferns it is a rhizome plant and must be tied or glued to rock or wood with the rhizome left exposed in open water. Burying the rhizome in substrate causes it to rot. Only the roots grip the hardscape.
Why does Windelov java fern have such lacy, branched tips?
'Windelov' is a cultivated variety selected for its finely forked, lace-like leaf tips — that is its defining feature, not a health problem. The intricate ends give it a softer, more delicate look than standard java fern.
Does Windelov java fern need CO2?
No. It is a low-tech plant that grows without injected CO2 in low to medium light. CO2 and more light speed it up, but it is perfectly happy in a simple setup, making it ideal for beginners.
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