How to Plant Marsilea Minuta in an Aquarium

Marsilea minuta is an aquatic fern. Its common name is the dwarf water clover, due to the four heart-shaped lobes that make up its leaves. True to its name, the dwarf water clover thrives in wet environments making it a suitable plant for a freshwater aquarium. Though not difficult to maintain, the Marsilea minuta does require diligence to plant. Each root must be separated to make room for growth or the plant can take over your aquarium.

Things You'll Need

  • Sandy substrate
  • Tweezers
  • Scissors
  • Paper towel
  • Tray
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the soil in your aquarium. Marsilea minuta requires fine gravel or sandy substrate to thrive. Eco-Complete, Flourite, Onyx Sand or ADA substrate will suffice. Make sure the soil is at least 1 inch deep.

    • 2

      Spread your Marsilea minuta roots on a tray. Separate each root. Notice that each root has a runner that can consist of one to five plantlets. Trim extra plantlets away from each root using scissors so that each root only has one or two plantlets. Keep the roots moist by covering them with a wet paper towel. Discard extra plantlets trimmed from a root.

    • 3

      Grasp an individual Marsilea minuta root using a pair of tweezers. Plant the root in the soil in your aquarium. Make sure the root is completely covered by soil.

    • 4

      Continue planting the rest of the Marsilea minuta roots in your aquarium. Spread the roots at least 1/2 inch apart to allow space for growth.