Bolbitis Heudelotii Difformis

Want the Bolbitis texture without the size? This compact 'Difformis' form grows finely dissected, ruffled fronds on a plant that stays well under a foot — the lacy structure of a full-size African Water Fern, in scale for a smaller tank.

What You’ll Receive

Available in three formats:

• Bare-Root Plants: 4+ healthy fronds with rhizome, loose for flexible placement
• Bunched Plants: 4+ fronds tied with foam and weight for easy setup
• Potted Plants: 4+ fronds rooted in rockwool and net pot for secure anchoring

Plant Profile

• Common name — Compact African Water Fern, also known as Dwarf Bolbitis
• Scientific name — Bolbitis heudelotii 'Difformis'
• Placement — Midground, on wood or stone
• Mature height — 4–8 in
• Growth rate — Slow

Care

• Difficulty — Intermediate
• Light — Low to medium. High light encourages algae on slow-growing fronds
• 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. Attaches to hardscape
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Emersed growth needs high humidity
• 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 gentle to moderate flow. Bolbitis are rheophytes and appreciate current, but this compact form dislikes heavy turbulence — steady rather than strong.
• It is slow to establish. Expect several weeks before the first new frond, and avoid moving it while it settles.
• Divide by cutting the rhizome between leaf clusters, leaving several fronds and some root on each section.
• Pairs naturally with mosses, Anubias and Bucephalandra — all shade-tolerant epiphytes with the same care needs.

Comparing our Bolbitis: the full-size Bolbitis Heudelotii reaches 8–14 in, and Bolbitis Difformis (B. heteroclita) is the smallest at 3–6 in.

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

Notes

• As a slow-growing fern, this plant may take time to adjust and establish in new environments. Avoid burying the rhizome in substrate, as it may rot. Attach with thread or glue to wood or rock for best results.
• 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.