🌿 Bolbitis heteroclita 'Asiatica' Care Sheet
Also known as Asian Bolbitis or Creeping Bolbitis. A semi-aquatic fern—not a true aquatic species. Most suitable for emersed or terrarium use.
 
🐠 Aquarium Care (with caveats)
Parameter
Details
Lighting
Low to medium; avoid direct strong light in submerged form
CO₂
Not required, but helps in transition/acclimation
Substrate
Epiphyte — do not bury rhizome; attach to wood or porous rock
Water Temp
20–26°C (Avoid long exposure above 28°C)
pH Range
5.5–7.0 (acidic preferred)
Hardness
Soft water (GH 1–6)
Growth Rate
Very slow submerged; better emersed
Placement
Shaded low-tech tanks, or above water in paludariums
Submerged Survival
Temporary — not a long-term submersed plant; tends to rot after weeks/months
🔎 NOTE: Submerged growth often leads to melting, black rhizomes, and loss of leaves. Best kept emersed with roots in water but foliage in high humidity air.
 
🌱 Terrarium / Paludarium Care (Ideal environment)
Condition
Requirement
Lighting
Low to medium; indirect sunlight or filtered LED light
Humidity
80–100% (high humidity critical)
Temperature
18–26°C ideal; max 28°C
Substrate
Rhizome above substrate; roots can anchor in moist moss, LECA, or bark
Watering
Keep base moist; mist leaves regularly
Air Circulation
Gentle airflow needed to prevent mold; avoid stagnant enclosures
Growth Habit
Creeping rhizome with slow upward frond growth
Propagation
Rhizome division only (stem cuttings not viable)
🌱 Best Use in Terrarium: Background creeper on wood, rocks, or mossy walls. Excellent for riparian zones and foggers.
⚠️ Watch For:
Symptom
Cause
Melting in aquarium
Over-submersion; needs air exposure and less waterlogging
Blackened rhizome
Poor water flow, rot due to over-buried rhizome or too wet substrate
Browning fronds
Too much direct light, low humidity, or nutrient deficiency
💡 Extra Notes for Cultivators / TC Use
Bolbitis heteroclita asiatica is notoriously slow-growing, especially in vitro.
Best started from rhizome segments or spores under controlled humidity.
Responds best to low cytokinin media; consider adding activated charcoal to reduce phenolic browning.
✅ Summary
Aquarium Use?
Temporary only (submersed growth unsustainable long-term)
Terrarium Use?
Highly suitable — thrives in high humidity, low-light enclosures
Paludarium?
Perfect — root in water, fronds in air 🌧️