Salvinia cucullata

About this plant

Salvinia cucullata is a rare tropical Asian floating fern recognised by leaves that become upright and hood-like as dense groups develop. It floats freely at the water surface and has no true roots; the structures hanging below the plant are modified submerged leaves. Growth is very fast in warm, nutrient-containing water under medium to strong light, so excess plants should be removed before they shade the aquarium below. Carbon dioxide injection is unnecessary because the floating leaves take carbon directly from the air. Keep the upper leaf surfaces dry and avoid strong splashing or constant turbulence, which can damage the water-repellent hairs. Propagation occurs naturally when branches fragment or daughter sections are separated. Salvinia cucullata tolerates a broad aquarium range of roughly 18 to 32 °C, pH 5 to 8 and 0 to 21 °dKH. Numerical height and width values are not used because reliable references describe its floating habit rather than a standard care size.