🌿 Microsorum pteropus ‘Black Forest’ – Deep-Green Java Fern with Dense, Textured Foliage

Microsorum pteropus ‘Black Forest’, commonly known as Java Fern Black Forest, is a visually rich and adaptable aquatic plant originating from the Indonesian island of Java and also found in Malaysia, Thailand, Northeast India, and parts of China. This striking variety is celebrated for its dark green, deeply textured leaves, which form dense, bushy growth, bringing structure and mystery to freshwater aquascapes.

At Aquarium Plants Factory, we grow this plant in its emersed form, where it develops strong, healthy rhizomes that adapt easily to submerged aquarium life. Once underwater, Java Fern Black Forest maintains its dramatic leaf color and distinctive shape—making it a favorite for adding shadowy contrast and visual depth in midground to background placements.

Like all Java Ferns, this variety is a rhizome-based plant and should be attached to driftwood, stones, or hardscape—never buried in substrate. It thrives in low- to medium-light environments, requires no CO₂, and is extremely beginner-friendly, making it an ideal choice for both simple and advanced planted tank designs.

🌟 Key Features:

• Dark, Forest-Green Foliage: Deep green, textured leaves bring bold contrast to aquascapes

• Dense and Lush Growth: Fills space effectively with bushy, natural form

• Attachable Rhizome Plant: Mount to wood, rocks, or decor—no substrate needed

• Low Maintenance: Slow-growing and ideal for low-tech tanks without CO₂

• Emersed Grown: Strong and ready to transition to submerged conditions

🔎 Botanical Information:

• Scientific Name: Microsorum pteropus ‘Black Forest’

• Synonyms: Leptochilus pteropus ‘Black Forest’

• Common Names: Java Fern Black Forest

• Plant Type: Rhizome plant

• Placement: Attach to driftwood, stone, or hardscape

• Growth Rate: Slow

• Lighting: Low to Medium

• Origin: Southeast Asia (Java, Malaysia, Thailand, India, China)

💡 Optimal Growing Conditions:

• Lighting: Low to medium light for healthy, slow growth

• CO₂ & Fertilization: CO₂ not required; occasional fertilization supports vitality

• Water Parameters:

  • pH: 6.0–7.5

  • Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)

  • Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

🌱 Growth & Propagation:

• CO₂ Requirement: Not required

• Nutrient Substrate: Not required

• Can Grow Emersed: Yes

• Propagation Method: Rhizome division

📦 What You’ll Receive:

Sold as loose bare-root plants, bunched plants, or potted plants:

• Bare-root Plants: Approximately 6+ leaf portion, loose rhizome

• Bunched Plants: Approximately 6+ leaf portion bundled with foam and plant weight

• Potted Plants: Approximately 6+ leaf portion, potted in rockwool and net pot

⚠️ Disclaimer:

Photos are sample representations. Actual plants may vary in size, shape, or coloration. Unless otherwise specified, we do not guarantee plants are free of pests, pesticides, or exclusively submerged-grown.

🚫 State Restrictions Notice ♻️ Be a Responsible Aquatic Plants Owner

Never release Java Fern Black Forest—or any aquarium plant—into natural waterways. Always dispose of trimmings and unwanted portions responsibly to protect local ecosystems.

 WHAT WE GUARANTEE

24 Hours Live Arrival Guarantee* - In a rare case of live stocks dead on arrival, we must be notified within 24 hours by the same day of delivery. Please take clear photos of the damaged product and send it to us within 24 hours.  Live Arrival Guarantee will be void after 24 hours of delivery. All replacements are considered final and we will not replace the replacement.

1. Picture requirements: Take at least 2 clear photos of damaged product in their original, unopened & sealed transparent packing and send photos and orders information to our email within 24 hours: aquariumplantsfactory@gmail.com 
2. Please do not take picture of damaged plants, or animals in your aquarium. Once they have been introduced to your aquarium's ecosystem. It is no longer covered by our guarantee.

Please be aware that our Live Arrival Guarantee is subject to certain conditions. Specifically, the guarantee will not be applicable in cases where the package is marked as 'invalid address', 'undeliverable' or is 'returned to sender.' This includes situations such as a vacant delivery address, a missing apartment number, or any other issues that prevent the postal service from delivering your package.

It is crucial to provide accurate and complete shipping information to ensure the successful delivery of your order and the applicability of the Live Arrival Guarantee.

Please keep in mind that Live Arrival Guarantee only guarantees that live stocks will be alive upon arrival. We cannot guarantee that you will continue to have success with them. Many factors, including the aquarium environment, water quality, nutrient, temperature, lighting, filter, and CO2 system, can contribute to the failure to grow live plants and live animals.

WHAT WE CAN'T GUARANTEE

Even though our plants are very clean, but we can't guarantee they will be 100% pest-free because we cannot be responsible for your aquarium. Please use it at your own risk. We recommended all customers rinse the plants with clean water and quarantine them before use.

However, plants in tissue culture will be 100% free from pests, algae and never have been contacting with any aquarium.

1. Due to the nature of the product. We don't guarantee our plants will be pests free. ( snails, algae, hitchhikers )
2. We don't guarantee our plants will be free of pesticides. We use homemade, organic pesticides in our greenhouse to control pests. We do not use pesticides that contain copper. Copper is toxic to invertebrates such as aquatic snails, crabs, shrimps, etc
3. We don't guarantee your aquarium success or are responsible for your aquarium inhabitant including but not limited to fish, shrimp, snail, turtle, etc. So please quarantine all plants when use!
4. Unless specific, we don't guarantee aquatic plants will be grow emerged or submerge.

Please review your state's regulations on restricted plants, as we are committed to not shipping plants that are restricted in your area. Do not release any plants into the wild or waterways, as this can harm local ecosystems by introducing invasive species.

Your cooperation in protecting the environment is appreciated. For continuously updated information, refer to the USDA State Noxious Weed list here.

Thank you for your responsible commitment to environmental preservation.