Bolbitis Heteroclita

Broad, trident-shaped fronds on a creeping rhizome. Bolbitis heteroclita — also known as Bolbitis asiatica, Asian Water Fern, El Niño Fern — is the Southeast Asian cousin of the African Water Fern, with wider, more solid leaves instead of feathered ones. It attaches to wood and stone and needs no substrate.

What You'll Receive

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

• Bare-root Plants: Approximately 3+ leaf portion, loose rhizome
• Bunched Plants: Approximately 3+ leaf portion bundled with foam and plant weight
• Potted Plants: Approximately 3+ leaf portion, potted in rockwool and net pot

Plant Profile

• Common name — El Niño Fern, also known as Asian Water Fern
• Scientific name — Bolbitis heteroclita
• Also known as — Bolbitis asiatica
• Origin — Southeast Asia
• Placement — Midground, attached to driftwood, rock or décor
• Mature height — 6-10 inches
• Growth rate — Slow

Care

• Difficulty — Intermediate
• Light — Low to medium; avoid harsh direct light
• CO₂ — Not required, though it fills out faster with it
• Water — 72-82°F, pH 6.0-7.5, soft to moderately hard
• Substrate — Not required. Epiphyte — tie or glue the rhizome to hardscape and never bury it.
• Growth habit — Amphibious; grown emersed at our nursery, transitions to submersed with care
• Propagation — Rhizome division

Grower's Notes

• Expect a stall, then a change of leaf. We grow this emersed, and the fronds it arrives with are emersed fronds. Several of them will likely yellow and drop as the plant converts to submerged growth. That is the plant working, not failing — leave it alone and the new submerged fronds will follow.
• Never bury the rhizome. Roots may go into substrate; the creeping horizontal stem must stay exposed. Buried, it rots — the single most common way a Bolbitis is lost.
• Give it flow. Bolbitis are rheophytes, adapted to moving water, and they take much of their nutrition from the passing current. In a stagnant corner this fern sulks.
• Broad leaves, not lace. If you want the fine feathered look, that is B. heudelotii. This species gives solid trident-shaped foliage — a different job in a scape, and it holds its shape better in strong current.
• Slow growth means algae shows and stays. Keep light low to medium and the tank balanced rather than trying to grow past it.

Comparing our Bolbitis: the compact form of this species is sold as Bolbitis Difformis (3-6 in), and the feathered African species is Bolbitis Heudelotii (8-14 in).

New to attaching plants? Read our guide on how to attach epiphyte plants to driftwood and rock.

Notes

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.

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.