🌿 Bolbitis heteroclita – Trident-Leaf Asian Water Fern (El Niño Fern)

Bolbitis heteroclita, also known as Bolbitis Asiatica or the El Niño Fern, is a graceful aquatic fern native to Southeast Asia. Prized for its broad, trident-shaped leaves and semi-creeping growth form, this species is an excellent choice for aquarists looking to introduce a natural, forest-like feel to their aquarium or paludarium.

At Aquarium Plants Factory, we grow this plant emersed, where it develops sturdy rhizomes and lush green leaves. Once transitioned to an aquarium, Bolbitis heteroclita adapts slowly but steadily to submerged life, thriving under low to medium light conditions. Its delicate, deeply lobed fronds add a unique texture and soft movement to your aquascape, offering a subtle contrast to bolder plant shapes.

Best mounted on driftwood, rocks, or aquarium decor, this rhizome plant should not be buried in substrate. Its low-maintenance needs, slow growth, and shade tolerance make it an ideal choice for both beginner and seasoned aquascapers.

🌟 Key Features:

• Trident-Shaped Leaf Form: Broad, lobed leaves offer a refined and natural look

• Hardy Rhizome Plant: Easy to attach to driftwood or rocks—no substrate needed

• Low-Light Tolerant: Performs well in shaded or indirect lighting conditions

• Grows Emersed or Submerged: Grown emersed at our nursery, transitions with care

• Great for Paludariums & Ripariums: Versatile in aquascapes with both land and water elements

🔎 Botanical Information:

• Scientific Name: Bolbitis heteroclita

• Synonyms: Bolbitis asiatica

• Common Names: Asian Water Fern, El Niño Fern

• Plant Type: Rhizome fern

• Placement: Attach to wood, rocks, or hardscape

• Growth Rate: Slow

• Lighting: Low to Medium

• Origin: Southeast Asia

💡 Optimal Growing Conditions:

• Lighting: Prefers low to medium light; avoid harsh direct light

• CO₂ & Fertilization: CO₂ not required; occasional fertilization supports healthy growth

• 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 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

⚠️ 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 Bolbitis heteroclita—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.