Bolbitis Root Tree (Bolbitis heudelotii)

The Bolbitis Root Tree is a ready-made centerpiece: Bolbitis heudelotii, the African water fern, already growing on a branching piece of natural root wood. Its deeply cut, translucent dark green fronds spread from the branches like a small underwater tree, giving a planted tank instant height and a mature, established look without any tying or gluing. Bolbitis is slow growing and long lived, and it asks for only one thing most plants do not: steady water flow. Each piece is natural, so the shape of the wood and the fullness of the plant vary from tree to tree. Browse the rest of our freshwater aquarium plants.

Care Guide

• Flow matters most: Bolbitis grows on rocks and wood in fast African streams. Place the tree where the filter outlet or a small powerhead keeps water moving across the leaves. In still water it tends to stall and collect algae.
• Lighting: Low to moderate. Strong light without CO2 usually just grows algae on the leaves.
• CO2: Not required. CO2 and good fertilizer speed up its otherwise slow growth and keep the fronds a deeper green.
• Never bury the rhizome: The creeping stem must stay exposed on the wood. Its roots will grip the branches on their own over time. A rhizome pushed into substrate rots.
• Fertilizer: It feeds from the water column, so a liquid all in one such as Seachem Flourish is more useful than root tabs.
• Settling in: Newly moved Bolbitis often drops or browns a few older fronds while it adjusts. Trim those at the base and leave the rhizome alone; new growth follows within a few weeks.
• The wood: Natural wood can leach a little tannin tint at first. Rinse it before placing it and let your normal water changes clear any tint.

Specifications

Placement and Companions

Use the tree as a focal point in the midground, or tuck it into hardscape where the filter current sweeps past. It pairs naturally with other epiphytes like anubias and java fern, and its layered fronds give shrimp, small tetras, and rasboras shaded cover. Plant-safe grazers such as Amano Shrimp help keep the broad leaves clean. Avoid large plant-eating fish like silver dollars and most goldfish, which shred soft fern fronds.

Recommended Supplies

• Seachem Flourish, a comprehensive liquid fertilizer for rhizome plants.
• Seachem Flourish Excel, a liquid carbon source for tanks without CO2.
• Seachem Flourish Glue, for attaching extra ferns or anubias to the wood.
• Bolbitis Heudelotii, Potted, to add more of the same fern elsewhere in the scape.
• Anubias on Driftwood, a slower, even hardier companion piece.

FAQ

Is the plant already attached?
Yes. The Bolbitis is growing on the root wood, so it is ready to set in the tank after a rinse.

Will it look exactly like the photo?
No two trees are the same. The wood is natural and each plant is a different size, so the photo shows the style of piece rather than the exact one you take home.

Why are some leaves turning brown?
Bolbitis often sheds a few older fronds after a move. Trim them off at the base. If browning continues, add more water flow and a liquid fertilizer.

Does the wood float?
It may float briefly until it is waterlogged. Wedge it into rock or hardscape for a day or two until it stays down.