• Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
1 5

Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood

African water fern pre-attached to driftwood

African water fern pre-attached to driftwood

£26.99
£26.99
  • Hurry, only 2 items left in stock!
Description

Bolbitis heudelotii, commonly called the African water fern, is a distinctive aquarium plant with deeply lobed, semi-transparent dark green leaves growing from a creeping rhizome. In nature it grows on submerged rocks and wood in fast-flowing African rivers. This version comes pre-attached to driftwood, creating a ready-made naturalistic feature with a quality not easily replicated by other common aquarium plants.

Bolbitis is an easy plant with one specific preference — it benefits from good water flow. Position it near a filter outlet or powerhead and it will grow steadily in low to medium light without CO2 injection. It is slow-growing but very long-lived, and the leaves become increasingly impressive as the plant matures and the rhizome extends along the wood.

The rhizome is pre-attached to the driftwood so no further attachment is needed — simply rinse and place in the aquarium. Position the piece where it will receive reasonable water movement for best results. Never bury the rhizome in substrate. It can be repositioned at any time as needed.
Quick Facts

Common name: Congo fern

Origin: Africa

Position in Aquarium: Attach to wood/rock

Grows up to (cm): 40 cm

Growth rate: Slow

Dimensions (cm): approx. 20cm long
Plant Sizes

The image of the plant you'll be receiving is just an example of what you can expect. Each plant is unique and may vary in size and shape, so it won't be an exact match to the photo. If we provide a size guide, keep in mind that it's just an estimate and that plants can vary in size depending on the time of year.
Shipping

Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tracked 24 Service from £4.99, DPD Express from £6.99.
Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials

Customers praised this aquarium plant as "lovely" and "healthy," noting it "looks great" and grows well. Most found it attractive and "bigger than expected." However, some concerns were raised about the driftwood feeling "fragile" and "brittle," and price-to-quality ratio disappointed a few shoppers who found it "not very sturdy."

  • Lovely plant super clean and healthy growing quite fast looks good.
  • Really attractive plant, looks great in my aquarium. Really healthy and arrived in excellent condition.
  • This is a lovely plant, much bigger than I expected. It looks lovely and is growing well.
  • 5 stars: 8 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
B
BaS (Bodmin, GB)
Great Quality Plant

Lovely plant super clean and healthy growing quite fast looks good.

I
Ian S.S. (Blairgowrie, GB)
A bit misleading

On the quick facts it states its a "Easy" to care for plant. On arrival it has a "Medium" tag on it. Plant itself is a good decent size on wood. Although the wood itself feels very fragile & to the point of a feeling of being very brittle. Nice healthy plant as always from aqua essientials !

N
Neil P. (Tavistock, GB)
Not the best

For the price I'm disappointed. It looks ok but doesn't appear to be very sturdy

S
Sharon W. (Truro, GB)
Beautiful

A really attractive plant, looks great in my aquarium. Really healthy and arrived in excellent condition. Very happy with my purchase.

A
Alison M.
Review

Nice, healthy plant that looks good in the aquarium and growing really well

E
Elizabeth S.
Review

Arrived in lovely condition and still doing well.I like the plants on wood as I have a small aquarium and I can lift them out to clean the 5ank.The fish love them which is why I bought them.Well worth the price

W
Wendy S.
Review

This is a lovely plant, much bigger than I expected . It looks lovely in situ and is growing well.

K
Kim B.
Review

Excellent, the wood is good and the plant was well grown.

Product FAQs

Helpful details before you buy.

Why does Bolbitis need water flow?

In nature it grows in fast-flowing rivers. Good water movement brings nutrients to the leaves and prevents stagnation around the rhizome, which encourages healthier, lusher growth.

Does it need CO2?

No — Bolbitis grows without CO2 in low to medium light, though flow is more important than CO2 for this species.

How do I place it in the tank?

Just rinse and place. The rhizome is already attached to the driftwood. Position it near a filter outlet for the best water movement.

How fast does it grow?

Bolbitis is a slow grower. Allow several months for it to establish and extend its rhizome fully. Patience is rewarded with an impressive long-lived specimen.

Is it safe for shrimp and fish?

Yes, fully. The driftwood and plant provide excellent shelter and the semi-transparent leaves add interest to shrimp and small fish habitats.

  • Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
1 5

Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood

African water fern pre-attached to driftwood

Ask a question
Easy care Low light CO2 not required Attach to wood or rock
£26.99
£26.99
  • In stock — 2 available

In-stock orders normally dispatch before 4pm, Monday–Friday. Delivery details

Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials
Bolbitis heudelotii On Driftwood - Aqua Essentials

Complete your setup

Useful additions for your aquarium

Care essentials chosen for this plant

Healthier plants
Brighter results
Neutro T Aquarium Plant Fertiliser Recommended size
£10.99
Liquid carbon Neutro CO₂ - Liquid Carbon for planted aquariums

Helps boost plant growth
and colouration.

Recommended size
£10.99
Superfish Aquarium Plant Scissors Recommended size
£11.99
Useful additions for planting day Carefully packed with your plants Specialist aquarium plant care
Bundle offers

About this planted decor

Bolbitis heudelotii, commonly called the African water fern, is a distinctive aquarium plant with deeply lobed, semi-transparent dark green leaves growing from a creeping rhizome. In nature it grows on submerged rocks and wood in fast-flowing African rivers. This version comes pre-attached to driftwood, creating a ready-made naturalistic feature with a quality not easily replicated by other common aquarium plants.

Bolbitis is an easy plant with one specific preference — it benefits from good water flow. Position it near a filter outlet or powerhead and it will grow steadily in low to medium light without CO2 injection. It is slow-growing but very long-lived, and the leaves become increasingly impressive as the plant matures and the rhizome extends along the wood.

The rhizome is pre-attached to the driftwood so no further attachment is needed — simply rinse and place in the aquarium. Position the piece where it will receive reasonable water movement for best results. Never bury the rhizome in substrate. It can be repositioned at any time as needed.
Placing your plants on wood or decor

Position the planted piece securely in your aquarium. Keep any exposed rhizomes above the substrate. Natural wood and plants vary in shape; use the product description and dimensions above as your guide.

Delivery & live plant guarantee

Orders placed before 4pm Monday–Friday normally dispatch the same working day. Special-order items leave once all items are available.

Delivery options and charges · Returns and guarantees · Help with plants that arrived damaged

Customers praised this aquarium plant as "lovely" and "healthy," noting it "looks great" and grows well. Most found it attractive and "bigger than expected." However, some concerns were raised about the driftwood feeling "fragile" and "brittle," and price-to-quality ratio disappointed a few shoppers who found it "not very sturdy."

  • Lovely plant super clean and healthy growing quite fast looks good.
  • Really attractive plant, looks great in my aquarium. Really healthy and arrived in excellent condition.
  • This is a lovely plant, much bigger than I expected. It looks lovely and is growing well.
  • 5 stars: 8 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
B
BaS (Bodmin, GB)
Great Quality Plant

Lovely plant super clean and healthy growing quite fast looks good.

I
Ian S.S. (Blairgowrie, GB)
A bit misleading

On the quick facts it states its a "Easy" to care for plant. On arrival it has a "Medium" tag on it. Plant itself is a good decent size on wood. Although the wood itself feels very fragile & to the point of a feeling of being very brittle. Nice healthy plant as always from aqua essientials !

N
Neil P. (Tavistock, GB)
Not the best

For the price I'm disappointed. It looks ok but doesn't appear to be very sturdy

S
Sharon W. (Truro, GB)
Beautiful

A really attractive plant, looks great in my aquarium. Really healthy and arrived in excellent condition. Very happy with my purchase.

A
Alison M.
Review

Nice, healthy plant that looks good in the aquarium and growing really well

E
Elizabeth S.
Review

Arrived in lovely condition and still doing well.I like the plants on wood as I have a small aquarium and I can lift them out to clean the 5ank.The fish love them which is why I bought them.Well worth the price

W
Wendy S.
Review

This is a lovely plant, much bigger than I expected . It looks lovely in situ and is growing well.

K
Kim B.
Review

Excellent, the wood is good and the plant was well grown.

Product FAQs

Why does Bolbitis need water flow?

In nature it grows in fast-flowing rivers. Good water movement brings nutrients to the leaves and prevents stagnation around the rhizome, which encourages healthier, lusher growth.

Does it need CO2?

No — Bolbitis grows without CO2 in low to medium light, though flow is more important than CO2 for this species.

How do I place it in the tank?

Just rinse and place. The rhizome is already attached to the driftwood. Position it near a filter outlet for the best water movement.

How fast does it grow?

Bolbitis is a slow grower. Allow several months for it to establish and extend its rhizome fully. Patience is rewarded with an impressive long-lived specimen.

Is it safe for shrimp and fish?

Yes, fully. The driftwood and plant provide excellent shelter and the semi-transparent leaves add interest to shrimp and small fish habitats.