Azolla Caroliniana
Plant Profile
Azolla Caroliniana, commonly known as Carolina Water Fern, is a tiny and hardy floating fern that brings a captivating, micro-textured look to the water surface. Originating in the Western United States, this fast-growing species forms clusters of tiny, two-lobed leaves along branching stems that naturally split as the plant expands. While mostly emerald green, these unique aquarium floaters can blush with shades of pink, orange, or deep crimson when exposed to medium-to-high lighting. Perfect for low-tech aquariums, paludariums, and outdoor ponds, Azolla creates a vibrant surface carpet that competes heavily against nuisance algae while providing a shaded haven for your aquatic livestock. Please note: Portions may occasionally contain trace amounts of duckweed.
Key Features & Benefits
- Intricate fronds blush with pink, orange, or ruby tones under medium to high lighting conditions.
- Foliage forms a dense biological carpet that extracts excess nitrates and organic waste to suppress algae.
- Compact surface canopy offers comfortable overhead shade and protective cover for timid fish, shrimplets, and fry.
Care & Planting Instructions
- Gently place the plants directly onto the water surface, ensuring the tops of the leaves remain dry.
- Keep surface agitation minimal, as heavy water flow or splashing filters will trap water on top of the leaves and cause them to rot.
- Provide adequate lighting to encourage rapid growth and bring out rich coloration.
- Thin out the floating carpet regularly to ensure light still reaches your submerged midground and stem plants below.
- Dose liquid fertilizers regularly because floating plants absorb nutrients directly from the water column at an accelerated rate.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Azolla caroliniana |
| Common Name(s) | Carolina Water Fern, Fairy Moss, Mosquito Fern |
| Family | Salviniaceae |
| Plant Type | Floating Plant / Micro-Fern |
| Height / Size | Individual fronds 0.4–0.8 in. wide |
| Care Difficulty | Easy |
| Light Requirement | Medium to High |
| CO2 Requirement | Not Required |
| Placement / Usage | Water Surface Canopy, Algae Control, Livestock Shade |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Water Parameters | pH 5.0–8.0 | Temperature 65°F–78°F (18°C–25°C) |
| Propagation Method | Division (Self-Splitting Stems) / Spores |
| Origin | Americas (Western United States) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I keep my floating aquarium plants from dying due to filter flow and splashing?
High water turbulence and constant water resting on the leaves are the main causes of rot in floating aquarium plants. Keep surface flow low, or use an airline tubing loop or floating ring to shield your aquarium floaters from direct filter return or bubbling air stones.
2. Can floating plants help control algae and absorb nitrates in a fish tank?
Yes, these aquarium floaters act as incredible biological filters. Because they sit at the surface with direct access to atmospheric carbon dioxide, they grow exponentially faster than fully submerged species, aggressively consuming nitrates, ammonium, and excess nutrients that fuel nuisance algae.
3. Should I trim the hanging roots or thin out excess surface growth?
Azolla Caroliniana has very short, delicate rootlets that do not require trimming. However, routinely scooping out excess surface growth with a fine-mesh aquascaping net is essential so that your floating plants do not completely block light from reaching your submerged stem and ground plants below.