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Carpet & Foreground · Tough

Marsilea hirsuta

Marsilea hirsuta R.Br.

An Australian water-clover fern, usually delivered with four-leaf-clover leaves; underwater it switches to low single or two- to four-lobed leaves and spreads by runners into a carpet. Easy and undemanding.

Needs

Care levelEasy
LightLow
CO₂Not needed
GrowthMedium
HeightUp to 20 cm
Temperature20–26 °C
WhereFront of the tank
Feeds throughLeaves, from the water
FamilyMarsileaceae (water-clover ferns)
Native toAustralia (New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia); introduced in the Azores, Florida and Great Britain
Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. See sources

How to keep it

  • Moderate light is enough; stronger light and CO2 give a lower, denser carpet
  • Plant 2-5 cm pieces of rhizome at regular spacing
  • Cut off tall, floating or emersed leaves
  • Shade or weak light (long leaf stalks, taller leaves)

Sources

14 facts checked with sources