Microsorum Pteropus ‘Windelov’ In Vitro Java Fern

Microsorum pteropus ‘Windelov’ is a decorative Java Fern cultivar distinguished by the finely divided, branching tips of its bright-green leaves. This unusual leaf shape creates a dense, textured appearance and makes it an attractive feature plant for planted aquariums, shrimp tanks and natural-style aquascapes.

The variety was named after Tropica founder Holger Windeløv. It forms a compact clump approximately 15–20 cm tall and wide, making it suitable for the midground of most aquariums or as a focal plant in smaller tanks.

This is a hardy and easy aquarium plant suitable for beginners. It grows slowly under low to medium aquarium lighting and does not require additional CO₂. Like other Java Fern varieties, it obtains much of its nutrition from the water column, so occasional liquid fertilisation can support healthy growth.

Microsorum ‘Windelov’ grows from a horizontal rhizome and is best attached to aquarium wood, rocks or other hardscape. It should not be planted with the rhizome buried beneath the substrate, as this can cause the rhizome to deteriorate.

In vitro portion

This product contains the full plant contents of one in vitro tub. In vitro plants are cultivated under controlled laboratory conditions and are supplied without snails, snail eggs, algae and other common aquarium hitchhikers.

Please note that the plant will be removed from its original tub and carefully repacked for transportation. This reduces the parcel size and helps protect the plant during delivery. You will still receive the full plant contents of one in vitro tub.

The plant can be divided into several smaller rhizome sections before being attached to wood or stone.

Plant care

How to plant

1. Carefully remove the plant from its transport packaging.
2. Rinse away any remaining growing gel using clean water.
3. Gently separate the plant into several smaller rhizome sections.
4. Position each section on aquarium wood or stone.
5. Secure it using cotton thread, fishing line or a small amount of aquarium-safe cyanoacrylate glue.
6. Keep the thick horizontal rhizome completely above the substrate.
7. Allow the roots time to attach naturally to the hardscape.

The roots may be positioned in gravel, but the horizontal rhizome must remain uncovered. Tropica recommends growing this variety on stone or tree root for the best results.

Small plantlets may develop along older leaves. These can be left in place to create a denser plant or removed once they have developed their own roots and leaves.

Small dark dots beneath mature leaves may be reproductive structures rather than disease. Older or damaged leaves can be removed close to the rhizome using clean scissors.

Please note: The photograph shows an example of the product. The exact quantity, size and shape of the plants may vary naturally. The plant is cultivated in an in vitro tub but will be removed from the tub and repacked for transportation.

For paludarium or terrarium use, the plant must be kept in a humid environment with consistently damp roots and rhizome.