Dwarf water clover
Marsilea minuta
Marsilea minuta is a dwarf fern with leaves only 0.3-1 cm in diameter. Leaflets are rounded and light green. It grows on very thin stolons, creating a low, dense carpet. Under optimal conditions (high light and CO₂), it stays very short (1-2 cm). It can also grow emersed with slightly larger leaves. Growth is slow without CO₂. Demanding in light to maintain its dwarf form.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22–28 |
| pH | 6–7.2 |
| GH | 2–10 |
| KH | 1–5 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 15 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.5 |
Care
Care notes
Requires moderate to high light (0.5-0.8 W/L) to stay dwarf. Temperature 22-28°C, pH 6.0-7.2, GH 2-10°dGH, KH 1-5°dKH. CO₂ recommended (15-25 mg/L) for compact growth. Plant small pieces 1-2 cm apart. Frequent trimming to prevent it from growing tall. Prone to algae if light is too strong without CO₂. Compatible with shrimp and small fish. Propagate by dividing stolons.