Ceratopteris Cornuta - Broad Leaf Indian Fern

Ceratopteris cornuta, the broad leaf Indian fern or water sprite, has markedly broader leaf lobes than the finer, more filigree Sumatra fern. It is a medium to large aquatic fern with fresh green fronds, growing at least 30cm tall. It works well rooted in the midground and background, or left to drift as a floating plant where its roots trail into open water.

This is an easygoing, fast growing fern that tolerates harder water and asks little to settle in. Rooted or floating, it fills space quickly and provides cover and shade, which makes it useful in community and nano tanks. Good CO2 and nutrients push its already fast growth even further. It multiplies by many small plantlets that form on older fronds, so you get new plants to spread around the tank. When planting the leaf rosette, keep it shallow: the heart of the plant, where new fronds emerge, should stay above the substrate surface. On nutrient rich, wet ground it can send up emersed spore-bearing leaves that grow longer than the submerged ones. It is happiest between 22 to 28C.

Care at a glance

• Placement: Midground, background or floating
• Lighting: Low
• CO2: Low, not required
• Growth rate: Fast
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Colour: Green

All our plants are harvested fresh, algae free and in great health. The conversion to submerged form starts in our grow-out tanks, which maximises your success once the plant settles into your aquarium.

Submerged: A plant grown completely below the tank's waterline.

Emersed: A plant with growth above the tank's waterline, such as leaves, stems and flowers.