Azolla Caroliniana, commonly known as Carolina Mosquito Fern, is a premium floating aquatic plant that adds a unique touch to any aquarium or pond. Known for its delicate, feathery appearance and rapid growth, Azolla Caroliniana is perfect for creating a lush, natural look on the water’s surface.
Key Features
- Scientific Name: Azolla Caroliniana
- Common Name: Carolina Mosquito Fern
- Family: Azollaceae
- Leaf Color: Bright green to reddish-brown
- Growth Form: Floating, mat-forming
Unique Characteristics Azolla Caroliniana is renowned for its ability to form dense, floating mats that provide excellent cover and habitat for aquatic life. Its vibrant green leaves can turn reddish-brown in high light, adding a dynamic and colorful element to your water feature. This plant is also known for its nitrogen-fixing abilities, which can help improve water quality and support the overall health of your aquarium or pond.
Ideal Conditions To ensure optimal growth and vibrant color for Azolla Caroliniana, provide the following conditions:
- Light: Moderate to high intensity
- Water Temperature: 15-28°C (59-82°F)
- pH Range: 5.5-7.5
- Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water
Care and Maintenance Azolla Caroliniana is easy to care for and suitable for both beginners and experienced aquarists:
- Lighting: Ensure moderate to high light levels to maintain its vibrant coloration.
- Water Quality: Regular water changes and proper filtration help keep the plant healthy.
- Fertilization: Occasional fertilization supports vigorous growth and overall health.
Aquascaping Uses Azolla Caroliniana is versatile and perfect for various aquascaping and water gardening applications:
- Floating Plant: Ideal for covering the water’s surface and providing shade and shelter for fish.
- Pond Plant: Excellent for natural ponds, adding a lush, green cover that helps control algae growth.
- Aquarium Accent: Adds a unique floating element to aquariums, creating a dynamic and natural look.
Propagation Propagation of Azolla Caroliniana is straightforward. This plant reproduces through fragmentation, where small pieces break off and grow into new plants. Simply ensure that fragments are distributed evenly across the water surface for even growth.
Azolla Caroliniana (Carolina Mosquito Fern) is a must-have for any aquarist or pond enthusiast looking to enhance their water feature with a beautiful, floating plant. Its vibrant color, ease of care, and unique appearance make it a standout choice for creating a stunning and healthy aquatic environment.
- Sold as small bare-roots portion
- Approx. 2″ x 2″ in size ( 4-6 plants )
Disclaimer: Pictures are not the actual plants you will receive, but a sample representation. Unless specific, we don’t guarantee aquatic plants will be free of pests, pesticides, grow emerged, or submerge.
Scientific Name |
Azolla caroliniana |
Common Name |
Water Fern, Mosquito Fern, Fairy Moss, Duckweed Fern, Water Moss |
Placement |
Floating |
CO2 |
Not required |
Growth Rates |
Fast |
Difficulty Level |
Easy |
Nutrient Substrate |
Not required |
Can be grow emerged? |
Yes |
Lighting Requirements |
Medium – High |