Azolla caroliniana, also known as Mosquito Fern, is a free-floating aquatic fern measuring less than ½ inch across. Newer fronds are gray-green but can turn rusty-red under strong light or cool temperatures. It spreads quickly to form dense floating mats and provides good surface cover for fry and shy fish.
| Skill Level |
Easy |
| Light |
Medium to High |
| Humidity |
N/A — aquatic floater |
| Soil / Substrate |
None — free-floating |
| Type |
Floating (Aquatic) |
| Max Height |
N/A — individual fronds under ½", spreads as a floating mat |
| Placement |
Surface (floating) |
| Origin |
North, Central, and South America |
| Other |
Hardy in USDA zones 7-10 outdoors. Available as bare root and XL portion. |
Care & Planting: Simply float on the water surface of an aquarium, pond, or paludarium water feature. Thin regularly to prevent it from fully covering the surface and blocking light to plants below.
Note: this is a true aquatic floating plant — likely filed under Terrarium Plants rather than Aquarium Plants by mistake. Flagged rather than silently reclassified.
