Butterfly Moss

Moss you can actually see the leaves on. Butterfly Moss (Plagiomnium sp. 'Butterfly') grows rounded, overlapping leaves along creeping stems — wing-like and large enough to read as foliage, where Java Moss and Christmas Moss are a fine green haze. It's the moss to use when you want structure rather than fuzz.

What You’ll Receive

• Loose Portion: A small loose portion of Butterfly Moss, approximately 2" x 2" in size
• Ready to Attach: Ideal for gluing or tying to hardscape; will self-adhere over time
• Note: Occasionally may include a mix of other moss species due to its delicate nature

Plant Profile

• Common name — Butterfly Moss
• Scientific name — Plagiomnium sp. 'Butterfly'
• Placement — Midground, attached to wood, stone or mesh
• Mature height — 2–4 in
• Growth rate — Slow

Care

• Difficulty — Beginner
• Light — Low to medium. Intense light bleaches it and invites algae
• CO₂ — Not required
• Water — 68–78°F · pH 6.0–7.5. Note the ceiling — this moss prefers cooler water than most tropical plants
• Substrate — Not required. Attaches to hardscape
• Growth habit — Amphibious. Also grows emersed
• Propagation — Fragmentation — divide and re-attach

Grower’s Notes

• Keep it under 78°F. Plagiomnium comes from cooler, shaded, damp habitats. In a tank running at 80–82°F it thins out and browns — the single most common reason this moss disappoints. Pair it with cooler-water species rather than discus.
• The hair-like growths at the base are rhizoids, not algae. They're how the moss anchors itself — leave them.
• Tie or glue it thinly. Thick mats trap detritus and rot from underneath; a thin layer grows across the surface instead.
• It is a true moss, not a liverwort, despite the leafy appearance.
• Slow growth means it holds a shape for months without trimming — useful on a moss wall where faster species need constant cutting.

Want to go deeper? Read our Butterfly Moss guide, or our guide to aquarium moss varieties.

Notes

• Pictures are sample representations. Actual plants may vary slightly in size, shape, and density. Unless specifically noted, plants are not guaranteed to be pest- or pesticide-free, or grown in a particular form (emersed or submerged).
• 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.
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• 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.

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