The finest leaf in the Java Fern range. Microsorum pteropus 'Needle' grows long, narrow, sharply pointed blades — thinner again than Narrow Leaf, so a mature plant reads as a spray of dark green lines rather than a mass of foliage. Same indestructible fern underneath.
What You’ll Receive
- Loose rhizome | approx. 6 leaf, loose, bare-root, small portion
- Potted plants | approx. 6 leaf, potted plants with rockwool and net pot
Plant Profile
- Common name — Needle Java Fern
- Scientific name — Leptochilus pteropus 'Needle' (syn. Microsorum pteropus)
- Also known as — Needle Leaf Java Fern
- Origin — Southeast Asia
- Placement — Midground, attached to driftwood, stone or decoration
- Shipped size — Approx. 6 leaf portion, shorter than mature height
- Mature height — 6–10 in
- Suits — 10 gallons and up
- Growth rate — Slow
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — Low to medium. Strong light burns the leaf tips and feeds algae
- CO₂ — Not required
- Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard
- Substrate — Not required. Attaches to hardscape
- Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
- Propagation — Rhizome division, plus plantlets from mature leaves
Grower’s Notes
- Why two scientific names? Java Fern was moved from Microsorum to Leptochilus. Both names circulate; the plant and its care are unchanged.
- Never bury the rhizome. Tie or glue it to wood or stone — buried rhizomes rot, and that is how most Java Ferns are lost.
- Black spots on older leaves are usually plantlets forming, not disease. Let them grow a few leaves and roots, then detach and attach them elsewhere.
- It grows slowly and asks for nothing. That combination makes it the standard plant for tanks with cichlids, goldfish or large fish, where softer planting is destroyed.
- Pair it with Narrow Leaf and Broad Leaf for texture variation on one piece of wood — identical care, three different silhouettes.
Want to go deeper? Read our complete Java Fern Care Guide.
Notes
- Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation. Unless specific, we don't guarantee aquatic plants will be free of pests, pesticides, grow emerged, or submerge.
- 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 said these aquarium plants arrive healthy and durable, thriving in tanks with "dark green, extremely healthy" leaves. While professionally packed and able to survive shipping delays, some shoppers noted receiving smaller portions than expected with "4 or 5 small sections of cut rhizomes." Overall, customers praise the plant's condition and growth.
- Dark green, extremely healthy and just gorgeous.
- They seem to have survived quite well. Very impressed and would absolutely order again.
- Came in healthy and is taking off in the tank.
T
My package was supposed to arrive Thursday, but didn't get here until Monday late afternoon due to USPS delays. In total, these plants had to sit bags for literally 8 days. I assumed they would be in fairly rough condition upon arrival just due to length of time in shipping and sitting in warm Fl distribution centers for several days, but no. They seem to have survived quite well. I know Java is a durable plant to begin with, but I am very impressed with these and would absolutely order them again from this shop. Very pleased and they look great in my aquarium.
J
I received 2 rhizomes with 3 leaves each. Very healthy looking.
B
More than expected
P
After seeing a aqua escaping bonsai tutorial on YouTube I knew I had to re-create it for my beta fish Khunsuk. The plants arrived quickly and in good condition. I glued them to pieces of lava rock. I will not hesitate to purchase again from the aquarium plant factory!
L
I ordered 3 plants. The plants are healthy and were professionally packed, but each package consisted of 4 or 5 small sections of cut rhizomes - some only 1/8 inches long - with only one or two leaves growing from each piece of rhizome. It’s like paying for a hamburger and receiving a slider inside a big bun: tastey, but leaves you wondering “where’s the beef?”
J
Came in healthy and is taking off in the tank.
K
Plants arrived healthy. They were a less the I expected, but very nice.
A
Received the plant in good condition and it is currently thriving in my aquarium. Love it!
C
All is well. Looking to order a few more plants dress up my trees.
K
So beautiful and perfect leaves. Dark green, extremely healthy and just gorgeous. I have never been disappointed from this store. I highly recommend their plants!
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