Aquatic PlantsBeginner🌗 Medium light
Salvinia
Salvinia natans · also called Floating fern, Floating watermoss, Water butterfly wings
Generally non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Salvinia is a floating fern with paired oval leaves covered in water-repellent hairs and a third submerged, root-like leaf, forming attractive green surface mats. It grows quickly, shades and shelters fish, and exports nutrients in low-tech tanks.
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Quick facts
| Category | Aquatic Plants |
| Family | Salviniaceae |
| Native origin | Native to Europe, Asia and Africa (temperate and tropical Old World waters) |
| Care difficulty | Beginner |
| Light | Medium light |
| Pet toxicity | Pet-safe |
Light
Grows under low to high light; medium to high lighting yields denser, larger leaves and faster spread, while low light still sustains it more slowly. As a floater it receives full surface PAR. Excessive light combined with rich nutrients accelerates mat formation.
Water
Temp 18-28 C (64-82 F), pH 6.0-7.5, soft to moderately hard; S. natans tolerates cooler temperate water better than most tropical floaters. Feeds from the water column on nitrate, phosphate and traces; benefits from iron/micronutrient dosing if leaves yellow. Tolerant of a broad range of conditions. No CO2 injection required.
Soil & potting
Not an epiphyte and not rooted in substrate - it is a true floater. The third, finely divided leaf hangs below the surface and functions like a root to absorb nutrients. Do not plant or bury it.
Environment — humidity, temperature, placement
No CO2 required (uses atmospheric CO2). Prefers calm, still surface water; its hairy, water-repellent leaves shed droplets but persistent strong agitation or spray can still cause rot, so keep flow gentle. Strictly floating and surface-emersed. The leaf hairs trap an air layer, keeping leaves dry and buoyant.
Propagation
Reproduces mainly by vegetative fragmentation - the horizontal stems branch and break into new plants; it can also form spores (sporocarps). Simply separate or remove portions of the mat to propagate or control it.
Toxicity detail
Non-toxic and safe for fish, shrimp, snails and pets. Be aware of invasiveness and legality: S. natans is the common temperate aquarium species, but its relative giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) is a US federal noxious weed - banned from import and interstate transport in the US and prohibited in many countries. Several Salvinia species are regulated as invasive aquatic weeds, and some jurisdictions restrict the genus broadly. Verify the exact species and local laws before purchase, and never release any salvinia into the wild - dispose of trimmings in the trash.
Growth stages
How this plant changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.