Marsilea hirsuta
Marsilea hirsuta R.Br.
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Need help with Marsilea hirsuta?
Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.
Planting & care
- PlacementForeground
- Growth typeCreeping plant
- LightLow
- CO2None
- Height0.8–3.9" (2–10 cm)
About this plant
Marsilea hirsuta is an Australian water fern used in aquariums as a creeping foreground groundcover. The botanical group and the aquarium use describe different aspects of the same plant: it is a fern, but it spreads across the substrate through runners and can form a low carpet. Submerged leaves vary with conditions and may be single, divided or clover-like. Aquarium growth usually remains about 2 to 10 cm tall. The plant tolerates relatively low light and does not require injected carbon dioxide, although added CO2 can speed establishment and produce a more even carpet. Plant small rooted portions with space between them and allow the runners to fill the gaps. Unwanted sections can be removed by cutting the connecting runner, while rooted daughter plants can be replanted elsewhere. Marsilea hirsuta is suitable for nano aquariums and larger natural layouts where a durable, less demanding carpet is preferred.
Quick specs
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Light
- Low
- CO₂
- None
- Placement
- Foreground
- Growth type
- Creeping plant
- Aquarium suitability
- Suitable for aquariums Suitable for long-term aquarium use.
- Approx. height
- 0.8–3.9" (2–10 cm)
Water conditions
Plant reference ranges, not dosing instructions or measurements from your aquarium. Consider livestock needs and measured conditions.
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Carbonate hardness
- 0–10 °dKH
Nutrients
- Nitrate (NO₃)
- 10–50 mg/L
- Phosphate (PO₄)
- 0.5–3 mg/L
- Potassium (K)
- 5–50 mg/L
- Iron (Fe)
- 0.05–0.2 mg/L
Growth & placement
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Propagation
- runners, division and daughter plants
- Color
- Green
Grow it successfully
What you’ll need to grow Marsilea hirsuta
Start with this plant’s documented care needs, then use an AquariumLesson calculator to size the setup for your aquarium.
Fertilization
Regular macro and micronutrient fertilization supports healthy growth and coloration.
Calculate fertilizer dosingTaxonomy
- Major group
- Ferns
- Family
- Marsileaceae
- Genus
- Marsilea
- Botanical name
- Marsilea hirsuta R.Br.
