Java Fern Thor's Hammer

Leaf tips that flare out into a blunt hammer shape. Leptochilus pteropus 'Thor's Hammer' is one of the more sculptural Java Fern forms — the silhouette does the work, so it reads as a feature plant even in a tank with no CO₂ and no bright light.

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 — Thor's Hammer Java Fern
• Scientific name — Leptochilus pteropus 'Thor's Hammer' (syn. Microsorum pteropus)
• Origin — Cultivated form; the species is native to Southeast Asia
• Placement — Midground, attached to driftwood, stone or décor
• Mature height — 6-10 inches
• Growth rate — Slow

Care

• Difficulty — Beginner
• Light — Low to medium
• CO₂ — Not required
• Water — 68-82°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; grows emersed as well as submersed
• Propagation — Rhizome division, plus plantlets from mature leaves

Grower's Notes

• Expect a change of leaf. We grow this emersed, so some of the fronds it arrives with will yellow and drop as the plant converts to submerged growth. The rhizome is what matters — leave it alone and new, correctly-formed leaves follow.
• Never bury the rhizome. Roots may go into substrate; the thick horizontal stem must stay in open water or it rots. This is the single most common way a Java Fern is killed.
• Black spots on old leaves are baby plants, not disease. Java Fern reproduces by growing plantlets along the leaf margins. Leave a spotted leaf in place until each plantlet has roots and two or three leaves, then detach and attach it elsewhere.
• Keep the light low. It grows slowly enough that strong lighting mostly feeds algae on the leaves. Shade gives cleaner, darker fronds and sharper leaf tips.
• It feeds from the water, not the substrate. Root tabs do nothing here. A basic liquid fertilizer is all it needs, and even that is optional in a stocked tank.

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.