Microsorum pteropus 'Narrow'

Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Plant profile

Placement

Midground

It must be secured to rocks or wood, keeping its rhizome above the substrate. It is exceptionally popular for midground placement where its long leaves can flow with the current. Never plant it directly into soil or sand.

Botanical form

rhizome or creeping stem

It features long, elegant, ribbon-like leaves that are significantly narrower than the standard variety. The leaves grow from a horizontal rhizome that tightly grips hardscape. The overall appearance is highly dynamic and flowing.

Growth

Slow

Its growth rate is slow, though it can form massive, dense bushes over time. CO2 injection is not required but will encourage healthier and slightly faster growth. Its slow pace makes it an excellent choice for low-maintenance tanks.

Substrate

None

Column fertilization

Recommended

Routine liquid fertilization provides all the necessary nutrients for this plant. Potassium and trace elements are the most important additions. It efficiently extracts what it needs from the water column over time.

Root fertilization

None

It does not utilize the substrate for feeding, making root tabs useless. The root system functions solely as an anchor to hardscape elements. It is perfectly suited for tanks with inert substrates like sand or bare bottoms.

Trimming

Occasional

Pruning should be limited to cutting away old or algae-infested leaves close to the rhizome. Do not trim the tips of the leaves, as they will simply turn brown and die. Allowing the plant to grow undisturbed results in a beautiful, natural bush.

Propagation

Cuttings

Propagation is easily done by splitting the main rhizome into sections with a few leaves each. It also produces tiny plantlets on the undersides or tips of mature leaves. These plantlets can be harvested once they have a few leaves and roots.

Sensitivity

Moderate

It is highly resilient and tolerates a wide spectrum of water parameters. Intense lighting can cause algae issues due to the plant's slow growth. It prefers moderate to low light and good water movement.

Layout role

Epiphyte, Midground, Background

It is widely used to create flowing, naturalistic transitions over hardscape. The narrow leaves add a strong sense of movement when placed in a moderate current. It provides excellent contrast and scale in both large and small aquariums.