Want the Bolbitis look in a small tank? Bolbitis heteroclita 'Difformis' is the miniature one — finely divided lacy fronds on a compact rhizome, where the African Water Fern grows to over a foot. It attaches to wood and stone and stays in scale with a nano layout.
What You’ll Receive
Fresh, healthy Bolbitis heteroclita 'Difformis' cultivated and prepared by Aquarium Plants Factory®.
Bare-root Plants: Approximately 1–2 plants with loose bare roots rhizome.
Rooted Bunched: Approximately 1–2 plants secured with aquarium-safe foam and a plant weight.
Rooted Potted: Approximately 1–2 plants established in a net pot with rockwool.
Plant Profile
- Common name — Mini Bolbitis, also known as Philippine Bolbitis, Lace Bolbitis
- Scientific name — Bolbitis heteroclita 'Difformis'
- Origin — Philippines
- Placement — Foreground to midground, on wood or stone
- Mature height — 3–6 in
- Growth rate — Slow
Care
- Difficulty — Intermediate
- Light — Low to medium. Bright light means algae on slow-growing fronds
- CO₂ — Not required, though it fills out faster with it
- Water — 72–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5
- Substrate — Not required. Attaches to hardscape
- Growth habit — Amphibious. Also suits high-humidity terrariums
- Propagation — Rhizome division
Grower’s Notes
- Never bury the rhizome. Tie or glue it to wood or stone with the rhizome exposed — buried in substrate it rots, and that is how most Bolbitis is lost.
- Give it flow. This is a rheophyte from shaded Philippine streams, and moderate current keeps the fine fronds clean and moving. Still water lets detritus settle in the foliage.
- It is slow to start. Expect several weeks before the first new frond, and avoid moving it while it settles.
- Expect a transition period. It is usually grown emersed, and the first fronds may die back as it converts to submerged growth.
- Divide by cutting the rhizome, leaving several fronds and some root on each section.
Want the full-size version? See Bolbitis Heudelotii (African Water Fern), which reaches 8–14 in.
Want to go deeper? Read our complete Bolbitis Difformis Care Guide.
Notes
- Pictures are representative samples only. Live aquatic plants are natural products and may vary in size, color, and fullness depending on season and growing conditions.
- Never release aquarium plants into natural waterways.
Shipping Policy
At Aquarium Plants Factory, we carefully package and ship all orders to ensure plants and livestock arrive healthy and ready to thrive.
Order Processing Time
Most orders are processed within 1–2 business days after payment is received.
Orders placed on weekends or holidays will be processed on the next business day.
Orders containing out-of-stock, pre-order, or backorder items may require additional handling time.
Once your order ships, tracking information will be sent to your email.
Shipping Schedule
Live Plants
Live plant orders ship Monday through Saturday when using United States Postal Service (USPS).
Most plant-only orders ship within 1–3 business days, excluding products that are out of stock, pre-order, or backorder.
Estimated USPS delivery time is 2–5 business days, depending on your location.
UPS Express Shipping
We offer the following UPS expedited shipping options:
UPS 2-Day Air®
Estimated delivery: 2 business days
Please note that UPS 2-Day Air® is not a guaranteed service in the event of carrier delays, weather disruptions, or operational issues.
UPS Next Day Air®
Estimated delivery: 1 business day
This service is guaranteed by UPS according to their service guarantee policies.
UPS expedited orders ship Monday through Wednesday only to ensure packages arrive within the same week and avoid weekend delays.
Please note that orders require 1–2 business days of handling time before shipment.
To help ensure same-week delivery, please place UPS orders on or before Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time (PT).
Live Animals Shipping
Live animal orders ship Monday through Wednesday only.
This schedule ensures animals arrive within the same week and do not remain in transit over the weekend.
Handling time for live animal orders typically ranges from 1–5 business days, depending on:
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Weather conditions
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Livestock health
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Shipping destination
Tracking information will be emailed once the order has been shipped.
Free Shipping
We offer Free Shipping on eligible orders over $150 within the contiguous United States.
Estimated delivery time for free shipping orders is 2–5 business days.
If your order contains both live plants and live animals, the shipment may be combined and the appropriate shipping rate will be shown at checkout.
Free Shipping is not available for customers located in:
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Alaska
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Hawaii
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Puerto Rico
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Guam
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U.S. Virgin Islands
Customers in these locations must select Expedited or Express shipping options at checkout.
Delivery Time Estimates
Delivery times shown at checkout are estimates provided by the shipping carrier.
While we work hard to ship orders quickly, delivery times may vary due to factors outside of our control, including:
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Weather conditions
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Carrier delays
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High shipping volumes
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Transportation disruptions
Aquarium Plants Factory is not responsible for shipping delays caused by the carrier.
Delayed or Lost Packages
Occasionally, shipments may take longer than expected.
A package is considered lost only after 15 business days (approximately 3 weeks) from the ship date.
If a package is confirmed lost by the carrier, we may offer a 50/50 replacement, meaning:
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Aquarium Plants Factory covers 50% of the replacement cost
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The customer covers 50% plus shipping
Address Accuracy
Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address when placing an order.
Please ensure that your address is correct when using payment methods such as:
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Credit / Debit Card
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PayPal
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Apple Pay
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Google Pay
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Amazon Pay
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Shopify Pay
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AliPay
Orders returned due to:
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Incorrect address
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Refused delivery
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Failed delivery attempts
may not be eligible for a refund.
Order Cancellations
If you need to cancel an order, please contact us as soon as possible.
Orders can only be canceled before they have been shipped.
Once an order has been shipped, it can no longer be canceled.
Returns
Due to the sensitive nature of live goods, all sales are final.
We do not accept returns or exchanges for:
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Live plants
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Live animals
For any shipping questions, please contact us before placing your order.
Aquarium Plants Factory
https://www.AquariumPlantsFactory.com
What We Guarantee
24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee — We guarantee that live plants and live aquatic animals will arrive alive. In the rare case of a Dead on Arrival (DOA), you must notify us within 24 hours of the delivery time recorded on the carrier's official tracking page. The guarantee is void after that 24-hour window, as condition can no longer be attributed to transit.
How to Submit a Claim
- Take at least 2 clear, well-lit photos of the affected items in their original, unopened, sealed packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label on the box.
- Email your photos and order number to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com within 24 hours of delivery.
- Do not photograph plants or animals after they have been unpacked, planted, or introduced to your aquarium — once an item enters your aquarium's ecosystem, it is no longer covered.
Approved claims are resolved with a replacement, store credit, or refund at our discretion, under the terms of our Refund Policy. Each item is eligible for one replacement only — replacements are final and we cannot replace a replacement.
Conditions That Void the Guarantee
- Incorrect or incomplete shipping address (vacant address, missing apartment number, or any issue that prevents delivery)
- Packages marked "invalid address," "undeliverable," refused, or returned to sender
- Packages left unclaimed, held at a carrier facility at the customer's request, or not retrieved promptly after delivery — live goods must be brought indoors and unpacked the day they arrive
- Carrier delays, weather events, or delivery exceptions once the package has left our facility
- Shipments to freight forwarders or package-forwarding services
Providing accurate, complete shipping information and monitoring your tracking are essential to keeping your guarantee valid.
Please note: the Live Arrival Guarantee covers arrival only. We cannot guarantee ongoing success — aquarium environment, water quality, nutrients, temperature, lighting, filtration, and CO2 all affect long-term results.
What We Can't Guarantee
- Pest-free plants (potted & bare-root): Although our plants are grown in our own clean greenhouse, we cannot guarantee they are 100% free of snails, algae, or other hitchhikers. We recommend rinsing and quarantining all plants before adding them to your aquarium. Tissue culture (in vitro) plants are the exception — they are grown in sterile lab conditions, are 100% free of pests, algae, and disease, and have never been in contact with any aquarium.
- Pesticide-free plants: We use homemade, organic pest control in our greenhouse and never use copper-based pesticides, which are toxic to invertebrates such as snails, crabs, and shrimp. However, we cannot guarantee plants are entirely pesticide-free — always rinse and quarantine before use in invertebrate tanks.
- Your aquarium's success: We are not responsible for your aquarium inhabitants, including fish, shrimp, snails, and turtles. Please quarantine all plants before use.
- Growth form: Unless specified, we do not guarantee plants will grow emersed or submersed in your particular setup.
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.
Customers praised this aquatic fern for arriving in "great condition" with healthy roots and vibrant green foliage. Most noted excellent quality and generous portions that could be split for multiple tanks. One customer reported black fronds upon arrival. Shoppers appreciated the interesting texture and that fish don't disturb it. Some noted leaves break easily during planting.
- All of the plants came in great condition and had no problems submersing into our aquariums.
- Plants were packaged professionally and arrived in great shape. Free from algae.
- I was so pleased by the abundance of this cool plant in each pot.
L
APF typically aquascapes the park, then hits every specimen out of that park! Unfortunately after a dozen orders and several hundred dollars the difformis is the first disappointment. Many arrived with completely black fronds that were thrown out immediately and I've hard pruned the rest but not sure these will survive.
M
I really liked how these looked. Very bushy and healthy. Contains multiple portions. Pic of one portion.
J
I ordered as a buy 2 get 1, and I was so pleased by the abundance of this cool plant in each pot. I had more than enough to add to my new aquascape AND add to an established tank for some additional texture.
S
This arrived looking pretty good, if a wee bit squashed from being safely packaged. I'm hoping to grow it out a bit in it's basket before the final planting.
N
Came in nice good little portion love the look v of it on driftwood
M
Arrived so very healthy and green. Roots were also healthy! Very satisfied and can’t wait to order this plant again. Fast shipping and well packaged. Looks great in my tank.
P
All of the plants came in great condition and had no problems submersing into our aquariums. Great buy!
J
They arrived in great condition and continue to thrive today. An interesting texture and my fish don't both it. Love this addition.
H
Plants arrived in good condition, and team was communicative throughout order. Have not yet noticed any tagalong pests. Happy so far!!
A
Very happy with the plant they sent, can’t wait to get it in the tank I am redoing.
J
Awesome quality
J
Just like picture. Thank you
p
Arrived healthy and as described, would order again
j
Good portion
M
Giant root system, I thought it was a handful of black string at first.
D
The only place I get aquatic plants. Such great quality. Thanks again!
Q
It's a very pretty, healthy plant.
S
This plant was able to be split into several. All into different aquariums and all doing great . Very happy with purchase.
S
Such a beautiful plant. Very large for what I was expecting.
J
All orders always fast, & in GREAT shape.I am hooked on APF
J.W.
E
Came in perfect condition and looks great!
K
Came alive and healthy. Planted easily!
N
Purchased 3 of these potted plants. Plants were packaged professionally and arrived in great shape. The plant was free from algae and had an extensive root system. This plant is definitely a great aquarium addition. Couldn't be happier with this purchase.
D
Totally satisfied. Ordered late Sunday night and my order was processed that Monday morning...and shipped out that same evening. I received my plants on Thursday and was very happy to see crisp, green, healthy, well packaged Bolbitis Defformis, Weeping Moss on slate, and Java Moss. The good quality was a relief...buying blind makes me very nervous. I will definitely be buying from APF in the future. Highly recommend!
A
These arrived super fast, and in perfect health. One thing to note is that they break quite easily, I lost about 1/3 of the leaves when attaching to wood in my aquarium, but the remaining are still alive and green. With the b2g1 free it works out to a great price for these unique plants.
E
I love this plant so much. It's a brilliant green in perfect health with lots of foliage. Shipped quickly and carefully. Highly recommended!
P
I bought this for a terrarium, I heard it does well emersed.
It started turning black after a day and when I planted it, its still turning black. Its a very humid terrarium and I put it where the water drips and stays very moist plus I mist a few times where needed.
Will the new leaves form from the rhizomes?
Thank you
Priscilla K
Bolbitis difformis (African water fern) can definitely adapt to grow emersed in a humid terrarium, but it's normal for a few original leaves to blacken and die back during the transition period as the plant adjusts from submerged growth to emersed conditions - this is often just melt, not necessarily a sign of failure. As long as the rhizome itself stays firm (not mushy or rotting) and isn't buried in substrate, new leaves should emerge from it within a few weeks. Keep the rhizome exposed to the humid air rather than covered in wet substrate, and the misting/high humidity setup you described is exactly right for this plant.
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