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.
At a glance
- Free shipping on orders of $150 or more (after discounts) within the contiguous United States, by USPS.
- Free thermal protection is included with every shipment, all year round.
- Processing: most orders leave us within 1 to 2 business days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
- USPS (2 to 5 business days) ships Monday through Saturday.
- UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday. Order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time for same-week delivery.
- Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and military addresses ship by USPS at a flat rate shown at checkout.
- Weather holds: during extreme heat or cold we may hold live orders until it's safe to ship.
- We ship within the United States only.
Please bring live plants indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Every live order is covered by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee.
The complete rules, including lost packages and address issues, are in our Shipping Policy. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
Every live order is backed by our 24-Hour Live Arrival Guarantee. If a plant arrives dead, we'll make it right.
How it works
- Tell us within 24 hours of the delivery time on your tracking.
- Send photos of the affected items in their original, unopened packaging, plus a photo of the shipping label, to hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com with your order number.
- We'll make it right with a replacement, store credit or refund for the affected item.
Good to know
- Some melting or yellowing as plants adjust from greenhouse to aquarium life is normal. They regrow from healthy roots and rhizomes.
- Please bring your package indoors and unpack it the day it arrives.
- Free promotional items and shipping charges are not covered.
The complete rules, including what's covered and what voids the guarantee, are in our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee. If anything conflicts, that policy applies.
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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