Microsorum Pteropus Windelov Vitro Culture

Leaf tips that branch and re-branch into fine crests instead of ending in a point. Leptochilus pteropus 'Windelov' — the Lace Java Fern — is the cultivar that gives a low-tech tank fine detail without needing CO₂ or bright light. This is the sterile Vitro Culture® format.

What You'll Receive

One 4-inch sealed Vitro Culture® bag containing multiple healthy plantlets:

• Approximately 6+ leaves total
• May arrive as individual leaves or small plantlets, not fully connected
• Each plantlet includes developing roots for easy attachment and growth

Plant Profile

• Common name — Lace Java Fern
• Scientific name — Leptochilus pteropus 'Windelov' (syn. Microsorum pteropus)
• Origin — Cultivated form; the species is native to Southeast Asia
• Placement — Foreground to midground, attached to driftwood, stone or décor
• Mature height — 4-8 inches
• Growth rate — Slow

Care

• Difficulty — Beginner
• Light — Low to medium
• CO₂ — Not required
• Water — 68-82°F, pH 6.0-7.5
• Substrate — Not required. Epiphyte — attach 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

• Rinse the gel off, and expect loose pieces. Tissue-culture Windelov often separates into individual leaves rather than a single clump. That is normal — each piece with a scrap of rhizome and a root will grow. Rinse until the roots feel clean, then attach the pieces close together.
• Expect some melt. Leaves may die back as the plant converts from lab conditions to submerged growth. As long as the rhizome stays firm and green, new growth follows.
• Never bury the rhizome. Roots may go into substrate; the green horizontal stem must stay in open water or it rots — the single most common way a Java Fern is killed.
• Keep the light modest. Java Fern grows too slowly to outgrow algae, and algae caught in a finely branched leaf tip is close to impossible to clean out. Shade is the defense.
• Sterile media is the point. No snails, no algae spores, no pesticide residue — which is what makes this format the right choice for a shrimp tank.

Want to go deeper? Read our complete Java Fern Care Guide.

Notes

• Tissue culture plants are grown in sterile gel and may require rinsing before planting.
• Leaves may melt slightly during transition as the plant adapts to submerged conditions—this is normal.
• Proper acclimation will ensure healthy new growth.
• 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® and Next Day Air® ship Monday through Wednesday. Order by Tuesday 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.