Propagation of Java fern

[Krish]

Hi everyone

I have some java ferns growing on stone in one of my tanks and I have observed that new plants have come up on the leaves of the older plants. How can I propagate the new plants that are formed on the older leaves.

[ScottieB]

Those are the “plantlets” and if you allow them to grow you may see roots develop. Using clean scissors you can cut them off and secure them to a price of wood or rock. Works better if they develop a small rhizome though. 

Fish for though has a video about it. Check his YouTube channel for Java Fern Propagation.

[Vanish]

At some point they'll release the plantlets naturally.

[Buckman]

Here is one way to do it. See the big java fern to the right? When it gets one of these 'growths' I cut it off once it gets about 3 leaves and has about as many roots. Those are the little rocks with tiny java ferns in the background. I just super glue the new plant to a rock and put it in the shade. They tend to be able to survive on their own fairly well. The tips melt a minute but always come back. I have an army of these things now. About a dozen or so. They have been fairly indestructible. Giant snails parachute down on top of them all the time with no trouble.