Want Java Fern that fits a nano tank? Java Fern 'Petite' is the smallest of the family — narrow upright leaves two to four inches tall, holding the same near-indestructible rhizome as the full-size plant. It gives you Java Fern reliability at a scale that doesn't swallow small hardscape.
What You’ll Receive
Sold as loose bare-root plants, bunched plants, or potted plants:
- Bare-root Plants: Approximately 6+ leaf portion, loose rhizome
- Bunched Plants: Approximately 6+ leaf portion bundled with foam and plant weight
- Potted Plants: Approximately 6+ leaf portion, potted in rockwool and net pot
Plant Profile
- Common name — Java Fern Petite
- Scientific name — Leptochilus pteropus 'Petite'
- Also known as — Microsorum pteropus 'Petite' (the older name, still widely used)
- Origin — Southeast Asia
- Placement — Foreground to midground, on wood or stone
- Shipped size — Approx. 6+ leaf portion, roughly 1-3 in
- Mature height — 2–4 in
- Suits — 5 gallons and up
- Growth rate — Slow
Care
- Difficulty — Beginner
- Light — Low to medium. Low light keeps it compact; bright light means algae
- CO₂ — Not required
- Water — 68–82°F · pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard
- Substrate — Not required. Attaches to hardscape and feeds from the water column
- Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
- Propagation — Rhizome division, plus plantlets on mature leaves
Grower’s Notes
- Never bury the rhizome. Tie or glue it to wood or rock with the rhizome fully exposed — buried in substrate it rots, and this is how most Java Ferns are lost.
- It clones itself. Small plantlets form along the edges and tips of mature leaves. Once one has a few leaves and roots, snap it off and attach it elsewhere — one portion becomes many over a year.
- Black spots on older leaves are usually plantlet sites or normal aging, not disease.
- Grown emersed at our nursery, which builds a strong rhizome. Expect a short transition as it converts to submerged growth.
- At 2-4 inches this is the one Java Fern that genuinely suits a 5-gallon tank. The standard form reaches 6-10 inches and will dominate that space.
Want the full-size version? See standard Java Fern, or the forked Trident Java Fern.
Want to go deeper? Read our complete Java Fern Care Guide.
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.
Customers said plants arrive in "great condition" and are "healthy." Most praised the petite size as "perfect" for small tanks. However, some noted receiving individual loose leaves instead of clumped plants, making planting challenging. Customers appreciated the viable rhizomes and new growth. Overall positive experience with healthy plants.
- Plants are in great condition and have done very well since I put them in the aquarium
- These arrived looking exactly as pictured on the website
- The petite version is perfect for my size tank
T
My potted fern came as individual leaves. Made it difficult to plant as a cohesive plant. Good number of leaves at least.
K
Each piece had one leaf and a very tiny piece of rizome. I guess this will be a slow process to grow a full plant. I knew I was getting bare root, but I expected a plant, not just seperate leaves.
T
These arrived looking exactly as pictured on the website. Now the fun begins fitting them into nano tanks and the “petite” is the choice I wish I had from the start. 😀
A
Plants are in great condition and have done very well since I put them in the aquarium a little over a week ago. I’m actually going to order more!
T
Alot of individual leaves with small rhyzomes but they look great and some even had leaves with more little ferns starting to grow
N
awesome!
M
I received 4 or 5 loose leaves. Fortunately the leaves does seem to have some semblance of roots that are hopefully viable. Definitely nothing like the photo.
a
green, crispy, looking like lettuce.
A
Very cute very small just as expected! Granted each leaf was cut individually but attached to their respected ryzome. Would highly suggest they are very cute!
I
These plants came in good shape, healthy and ready to go!
C
I was looking to put a java fern in my 2.5 gallon tank, and the petite version is perfect for my size tank.
I ordered the loose rhizome. The whole purchase went smoothly and I couldn't be happier with the plants that I recieved. If I get more aquatic plants, I will definitely order from this site on the future.
A
I was looking for a smaller variety of java fern and decided on the "petite" variety. Purchased 1 potted plant which arrived looking healthy and had a mix of large and small leaves.
J
As far as being smaller than I might have expected I feel like this is incredibly common with most plants purchased at most places since covid. Both aquatic and terrestrial. Just seems to be life lately. I should probably just put a tag at the end of most reviews about it. Because I was still very happy with my purchase. Very healthy, perfect condition, shipped well. It's been about a week, not much growth yet but looking great in my tank.
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