• Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
1 4

Tropica

Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Large African Water Fern

£29.99
£29.99
  • Hurry, only 2 items left in stock!
Quick facts:

Origin: Africa

Position in Aquarium: Attach to wood/rock

Grows up to (cm): 50 cm

Pot Size: 9 cm

Growth rate: Slow

Common name:

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.
Our Delivery Promise To You

Express Delivery is our fastest and most reliable option. Orders are fully trackable, delivered within a one-hour time slot, and covered by our replacement guarantee if plants are damaged due to delivery delays. It’s ideal if you want extra peace of mind and plants arriving exactly as they left us.

Tracked 24 is a great value option and usually arrives within a couple of days.

Order before 4pm (Mon–Fri) for same-day dispatch.

Shipping starts from £4.99 for Tracked 24 and £6.99 for DPD Express.

Bolbitis heudelotii XL is a larger, well-established specimen of the African water fern — the same finely divided, semi-transparent deep green epiphytic fern — supplied in an XL size for more immediate visual impact. Specimens arrive approximately 20cm tall by 20cm wide, giving you a substantial plant from day one.

Care is identical to the standard size: attach to hardscape rather than plant in substrate, position near good water flow, and provide low to moderate light. CO2 is not required but benefits the plant. Do not bury the rhizome — this causes rot.

Note: this plant no longer arrives in a pot — it comes in rockwool, which we believe is better for the environment. Individual plants vary naturally in size and shape; contact us if you need to know exactly what's currently in stock.

Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials

Product details

1. Go large

Xl Plants are the biggest plants available to hobbyists and sometimes extremely impressive, especially in the summer time. Pots are typically 9cm+ but the range is fairly limited so if you see one you like, best to go for it.

Why is the range limited in the winter?

Plants grow much slower due to the weather and the cost to heat gigantic greenhouses. As a result, in the cooler months plants are typically 30-40% smaller than they are in the warmer months.

2. Planting up

Due to their size, they're best positioned towards the back of your aquarium. Of course, some of them will be better tied onto wood or rock (like Anubias). It is possible to leave these plants in their pots if you prefer, but we always recommend that where possible, you take them out of their pots and rockwool, and plant them in a nutrient rich soil. Bear in mind the plants may have extensive root structure but this can be trimmed prior to planting.

3. Feeding

How much food do they need?

Due to their size, larger plants need much more food than the 5cm potted plants so this has to be considered when planting.

What fertilisers should I offer?

We always recommend using both a nutrient rich fertiliser and a liquid carbon for all plants. Use Neutro T as a liquid fertiliser and Neutro CO2 for your carbon. Both are available in big bottles and if you are injecting pressurised CO2, sway the Neutro T for Neutro+.

Are root tabs needed?

If you want to get the best from your plants, so they stay strong, grow faster and produce better colours then yes. Use TerraTabs for best results. Insert 3 under each XL plant every 4 months.

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G
Greg

Great plant good service

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  • Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
  • Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
1 4

Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Large African Water Fern

Large African water fern for impressive background impact

Ask a question
Easy care Low light CO2 not required Attach to wood or rock
£29.99
£29.99
  • In stock — 2 available

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

Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
Bolbitis heudelotii XL - Aqua Essentials
Bolbitis heudelotii XL - 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
Aquarium Glue for Plants & Hardscape Recommended size
£3.99
Aqua Fine Line - 10 meter Length
£1.99
Useful additions for planting day Carefully packed with your plants Specialist aquarium plant care
Bundle offers

About this plant

Bolbitis heudelotii XL is a larger, well-established specimen of the African water fern — the same finely divided, semi-transparent deep green epiphytic fern — supplied in an XL size for more immediate visual impact. Specimens arrive approximately 20cm tall by 20cm wide, giving you a substantial plant from day one.

Care is identical to the standard size: attach to hardscape rather than plant in substrate, position near good water flow, and provide low to moderate light. CO2 is not required but benefits the plant. Do not bury the rhizome — this causes rot.

Note: this plant no longer arrives in a pot — it comes in rockwool, which we believe is better for the environment. Individual plants vary naturally in size and shape; contact us if you need to know exactly what's currently in stock.

Making room for an XL plant

Allow space for the mature height and spread shown above. Check the product description for planting or attachment instructions before placing it in your aquarium.

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

  • 5 stars: 1 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
G
Greg

Great plant good service

Product FAQs

What size is the XL specimen?

Approximately 20cm tall by 20cm wide on arrival, though individual plants vary naturally. Contact us if current size is important — we can tell you what's in stock.

Why doesn't it arrive in a pot?

We supply this plant in rockwool rather than a plastic pot — we believe this is better for the environment. The plant is equally healthy.

Does it need CO2?

No — it grows well without CO2. Good water movement near a filter outlet is more important for this species.

How do I attach it?

Tie the rhizome to wood or rock with thread or aquarium-safe superglue. Do not bury it in substrate — this causes rot.

Will it match the picture?

The picture is a guide only. Individual plants vary naturally in size and shape.