• Ceratopteris thalictroides
  • Ceratopteris thalictroides
  • Ceratopteris thalictroides
  • Ceratopteris thalictroides
  • Ceratopteris thalictroides
  • Ceratopteris thalictroides
  • Ceratopteris thalictroides
  • Ceratopteris thalictroides
1 8

Ceratopteris thalictroides

Lace-leaved water fern for surface or rooted growth

Lace-leaved water fern for surface or rooted growth

Over 2,300 sold
£7.99
£7.99
    Quick Facts

    Common name: Water sprite

    Origin: Asia

    Position in Aquarium: Background and Floating

    Grows up to (cm): 40 cm

    Pot Size: 5 cm

    Growth rate: Medium pace
    Description

    Ceratopteris thalictroides, commonly known as Water Sprite, is a fast-growing aquatic fern with finely divided, bright green leaves that create a soft, natural look in the aquarium.

    One of its biggest advantages is its versatility. It can be planted into the substrate or left floating at the surface. When grown floating, its fine roots gradually hang down into the aquarium, creating useful cover for shrimp, fry and shy fish.

    Water Sprite grows quickly in good conditions and absorbs nutrients directly from the water, making it particularly useful in newly established aquariums and tanks where strong plant growth can help compete with algae.

    When planted, it makes an excellent background plant. When floated, allow some open surface space and trim regularly so it does not shade plants underneath.

    Why choose Water Sprite?

    • Can be grown floating or rooted in the substrate
    • Fast growing and easy to establish
    • Attractive finely divided, bright green foliage
    • Floating roots provide excellent shelter for shrimp and fry
    • Helps absorb excess nutrients from the aquarium
    • Suitable for beginners and established planted tanks
    • CO₂ is not essential

    Note - this plant comes in from the growers with very small roots. If you intend on planting, allow it to float for several days (or longer) so it develops longer roots which will allow the plant to be anchored down much more easily.
    Plant Sizes

    You’ll receive a healthy, rooted plant in a pot, similar to those shown. Each one is hand-checked before dispatch.
    Shipping

    Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday. Tracked 24 Service from £4.99, DPD Express from £6.99.
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides

    Customers praised this aquatic plant as "beautiful" with "lush green" foliage that grows quickly and produces plantlets within days. Most noted it arrived healthy and well-packaged with fast delivery. Fish love swimming through it. Some mentioned it's delicate to handle and can be hard to keep down. One customer noted size smaller than expected.

    • Already produced baby plants on the leaves with roots forming. Really happy with them.
    • Grows very fast and looks gorgeous in the tank. The fish love it.
    • Much larger and more developed than expected. Arrived in excellent condition.
    • 5 stars: 24 (71%)
    • 4 stars: 9 (26%)
    • 3 stars: 1 (3%)
    • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
    • 1 star: 0 (0%)
    D
    Dott C.C. (Hove, GB)
    Great fresh plant, looks great in my tank

    Great fresh plant, looks great in my tank.

    K
    Kathryn

    Good healthy plants, delivered quickly. Good communication also.

    Thank you and glad you're happy

    M
    Malcom H. (Manea, GB)
    Plantlets growing already.

    I have only had these plants for about ten days and already they have produced baby plants on the leaves with roots forming. I am really happy with them.

    I
    Ian W. (Derby, GB)
    Excellent Service

    Excellent Service, great product, well packaged and arrived in tip top condition. Dispatched super quickly and delivered super quick also. I have no hesitation in recommending Aqua Essentials to anyone and will certainly be back to purchase more equipment when required. 10/10 👌🏻

    A
    Ami

    Great healthy plant, good size. Fast delivery x

    K
    Karin K.
    Review

    Awesome plant.A bit delicate to handle but the fish love to swim through. I was surprised when it started growing before having rooted properly.

    K
    Karin K.
    Review

    Arrived strong and healthy. A bit fragile to handle but forgiving if parts get damaged when handling.Grows very fast and looks gorgeous in the tank. The fish love it.

    J
    John C.
    Review

    Fast delivery excellent condition growing nicely

    A
    Alex K.
    Review

    Looking good in a slightly busy location with my boisterous fish

    A
    Alistair C.
    Review

    Plant was healthy, I simply didnt like it.

    S
    Sarah W.
    Review

    Beautiful large lush green plant.

    Plants are always really healthy from Aqua Essentials.

    G
    Gary H.
    Review

    Planted at the back of the tank. Growing well. Very happy with the quality.

    J
    James B.
    Review

    Too early to say, though sprouted some new leaves.

    A
    Amanda L.
    Review

    Strong, healthy plant doing well in new setup

    G
    Gillian S.
    Review

    This is an unusual plant, which lasts well and looks good. As far as I know, the fishes don't eat it!

    J
    Judy B.
    Review

    Very quick delivery,well packaged and lovely plants

    d
    darren B.
    Review

    Excellent plant much larger and more developed than I was expecting it to be so very pleased, Once again fast delivery plant arrived in excellent condition in a lovely healthy light green colour.

    M
    Michael P.
    Review

    Nice plants but hard to kee down Fast service You let me down

    G
    Graham L.
    Review

    arrived in good condition

    C
    Carroll L.
    Review

    Fast and efficient service, Well packed strong and healthy plants. I will definitely use this supplier again.

    W
    William M.
    Review

    Pearling within two days, new leaves reflecting substrate planting emerged within a week.

    S
    Steve C.
    Review

    Excellent plant, arrived quickly and is very strong and healthy and has settled in very quickly

    M
    Mike R.
    Review

    These plants arrived in tip top condition and are now growing away in the aquarium.

    J
    Julie A.
    Review

    Never disappointed with the quality of plants, looks great in my tank

    A
    Andrew M.
    Review

    Really superb plants, lush and green. Both pots were well populated with plants, more than enough for my tank.

    M
    Mike G.
    Review

    Bought two and both have taken well. I can confirm that despite what the forums say, Amano shrimp DO eat plants and not just those that are dead/dying. These plants are a favourite of my shrimp to munch on ;)

    j
    john f.
    Review

    A robust plant which is busy taking over the back of the tank. One I'd reccomed for quick greenery. Treats my very hard water with contempt.

    M
    Mary P.
    Review

    This makes a very nice floating plant, it will morph into a mat with roots in the water. Bettas love it.

    J
    JULIE W.
    Review

    Another good plant and, as with the others I ordered it arrived in perfect condition and looks lovely in the aquarium.

    F
    Florin G.
    Review

    healthy and quality plant . came next day to my door. it\'s doing very well in my aquarium.

    E
    Emma D.
    Review

    This was a lot smaller/less mature than the other plants I received. Only a couple of inches high. Everything else from Aqua Essentials was beyond what I expected.

    K
    Ken C.
    Review

    Perfect hiding place for small fish and fry.

    C
    Customer
    Review

    Great delivery

    Product FAQs

    Helpful details before you buy.

    Is Water Sprite a good aquarium plant for beginners?

    Yes, the Water Sprite aquarium plant is ideal for beginners. It is fast-growing, easy to care for, and adapts well to different aquarium conditions.

    Can Water Sprite be floated or planted?

    Water Sprite can be grown both as a floating plant and planted in the substrate. This flexibility makes it suitable for different aquascaping styles.

    How fast does Water Sprite grow?

    Water Sprite grows quickly, especially under good lighting. It can reach the surface in smaller aquariums and may require regular trimming.

    Does Water Sprite help reduce algae?

    Yes, Water Sprite absorbs excess nutrients from the water, which helps limit algae growth and keeps the aquarium balanced.

    Does Water Sprite need CO2?

    No, Water Sprite can grow without CO2. However, adding CO2 can increase its growth rate and overall health.

    • Ceratopteris thalictroides
    • Ceratopteris thalictroides
    • Ceratopteris thalictroides
    • Ceratopteris thalictroides
    • Ceratopteris thalictroides
    • Ceratopteris thalictroides
    • Ceratopteris thalictroides
    1 8

    Ceratopteris thalictroides

    Lace-leaved water fern for surface or rooted growth

    Ask a question Over 2,300 sold
    Easy care Medium light Floating plant CO2 not required
    £7.99
    £7.99
    • In stock

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

    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides
    Ceratopteris thalictroides

    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
    Root nutrition Neutro TerraTabs - Root Tabs for Planted Aquariums

    Long-lasting nutrition
    for strong, healthy roots.

    Recommended size
    £9.99
    Useful additions for planting day Carefully packed with your plants Specialist aquarium plant care
    Bundle offers

    About this plant

    Ceratopteris thalictroides, commonly known as Water Sprite, is a fast-growing aquatic fern with finely divided, bright green leaves that create a soft, natural look in the aquarium.

    One of its biggest advantages is its versatility. It can be planted into the substrate or left floating at the surface. When grown floating, its fine roots gradually hang down into the aquarium, creating useful cover for shrimp, fry and shy fish.

    Water Sprite grows quickly in good conditions and absorbs nutrients directly from the water, making it particularly useful in newly established aquariums and tanks where strong plant growth can help compete with algae.

    When planted, it makes an excellent background plant. When floated, allow some open surface space and trim regularly so it does not shade plants underneath.

    Why choose Water Sprite?

    • Can be grown floating or rooted in the substrate
    • Fast growing and easy to establish
    • Attractive finely divided, bright green foliage
    • Floating roots provide excellent shelter for shrimp and fry
    • Helps absorb excess nutrients from the aquarium
    • Suitable for beginners and established planted tanks
    • CO₂ is not essential

    Note - this plant comes in from the growers with very small roots. If you intend on planting, allow it to float for several days (or longer) so it develops longer roots which will allow the plant to be anchored down much more easily.

    Product FAQs

    Is Water Sprite a good aquarium plant for beginners?

    Yes, the Water Sprite aquarium plant is ideal for beginners. It is fast-growing, easy to care for, and adapts well to different aquarium conditions.

    Can Water Sprite be floated or planted?

    Water Sprite can be grown both as a floating plant and planted in the substrate. This flexibility makes it suitable for different aquascaping styles.

    How fast does Water Sprite grow?

    Water Sprite grows quickly, especially under good lighting. It can reach the surface in smaller aquariums and may require regular trimming.

    Does Water Sprite help reduce algae?

    Yes, Water Sprite absorbs excess nutrients from the water, which helps limit algae growth and keeps the aquarium balanced.

    Does Water Sprite need CO2?

    No, Water Sprite can grow without CO2. However, adding CO2 can increase its growth rate and overall health.