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Freshwater   Plants

Floating moss
(Salvinia natans)

Floating moss

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

Names

Scientific name
Salvinia natans

Common name
Floating moss
Floating fern
Floating watermoss
Water butterfly wings

Origin

what are his countries of origin?

Origin: Asia/Europe

Ideal fertilization

how to fertilize this plant?

CO2: 5-40mg/l
Nitrates (NO3): 10-50mg/l
Phosphates (PO4): 0.1-3mg/l
Potassium (K): 5-30mg/l
Iron (Fe): 0.01-0.5mg/l

Group

which group is this plant?

Salviniaceae

Kind

what is the type of plant?

Floating plant
Fern

Parameters

What are the Water parameters for the maintenance of this plant?

T°: 12 to 30°C or 54 to 86°F
pH: 5.5 to 8
Hardness: 4 to 20°dGH

Difficulty

difficulty

Easy

Lighting

what brightness is needed?

Average

Size

what is the maximum size of the plant?

3 cm (1.2")

Plantation

in which area of the aquarium install this plant?

Everywhere

Growth

how fast does this plant grow?

Fast

Presentation

Who is the Floating moss?

Presentation

Who is the Floating moss?

This plant is divided into three parts: a "transformed" leaf captures the nutrients in the water, while the other two remaining on the surface do a photosynthesis work.

Ideal for sifting the lighting of your aquarium or to protect your pool from too much sunlight. In fact, Salvinia forms a vegetal carpet on the surface of the water. It will provide security and shade to underwater species. This advantage may be a defect, however, because if it completely covers the surface of the water, it prevents the light from spreading to the bottom of the pond / aquarium, which can be detrimental to other plants. It is therefore necessary to control its multiplication.

In aquarium it offers a hiding place for fry, a support for bubble nests (Betta Splendens, Gourami ...) and a supply of food because the infusoria grows easily. It will also fight against the proliferation of algae.

In the pool, it is its functions of oxygenation, purification and shading of water that will be appreciated.

Its roots must always be under water, while the leaves are emerged.

Planting and maintenance

How to plant and maintain the Floating moss?

Planting and maintenance

How to plant and maintain the Floating moss?

Salvinia is a floating plant that is deposited on the surface of the water (without attachment to the substrate). It enjoys quiet places without much power.

Its favorite place will be the sunny pool. Under these conditions, it will thrive so much that it can sometimes be difficult to control its spread. However, it will be very beneficial to its environment (by filtering and oxygenating the water).

On the maintenance side, not much to do with this extremely easy plant: it will be enough to control its spread by removing the excess plant. However, the farming of this plant remains controllable if it is removed regularly.

If the leaves of Salvinia become pale, it suffers from a lack of nutrients. You can use a special fertilizer aquatic plant (for dosage, refer to the instructions).

Farming

How to farm the Floating moss?

Farming

How to farm the Floating moss?

Very easy since it is spontaneous. Its farming is done by branching it and can be very fast in good conditions. It can even double its population in 4 days!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

This plant is actually a floating fern that appreciates calm waters.

Its leaves are completely hydrophobic (impervious to water).

It is quite sensitive to transportation. If you order your Salvinia in a remote shop that sends it to you, they may come to you brown. Rinse them and put them in your aquarium/pond. They should return to their colour after a few days.

The Salvinia will resist very well the heat and the sun. On the other hand, it is less resistant to cold snaps. In the pond, keep it in the shelter before the first frosts and introduce it as early as May.

Yours photos!

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