Alphabetical Plant Listing

Azolla filiculoides (Mosquito Fern)

Pacific Mosquito Fern, American Water Fern, Mosquito Fern, Fairy Moss, Mosquito Fern, Pacific Azolla, Red Water Fern, Water Fern, Water Velvet


Azolla filiculoides (Mosquito Fern) is a tiny free-floating fern forming a mat of pinnately branched stems covered with minute, two-lobed leaves arranged in two rows. The upper leaf floats on the surface and the lower leaf is submerged. The bright green foliage turns purplish-rose in response to stress such as very bright light or very high or low temperatures. Small feather-like roots are produced along the lower surface of the stem and hang freely in the water. Nutrients are absorbed directly from the water by the roots. Native to both North and South America, Mosquito Fern occurs naturally in ponds and lakes, in slow-moving streams and rivers. It grows extremely quickly under optimum conditions and can sometimes become a nuisance. It can form thick mats that completely cover the surface of the water, preventing mosquitoes from depositing their eggs. It also discourages algae growth and helps keep waters clear. Mosquito Fern is cultivated as an ornamental plant for use in water gardens, aquaria, and ponds.

  • Grows up to 3 in. tall (7 cm) and spreads indefinitely.
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade in water gardens, ponds, or aquatic containers.
  • Virtually pest and disease free.
  • Reduce its spread by removing portions with a net.
  • Azolla filiculoides can grow quickly, easily out-competing indigenous vegetation. Decaying root and leaf matter below a mat of Azolla filiculoides, coupled with the lack of light penetration, can create an anaerobic environment which can reduce the quality of drinking water and make survival for other organisms in the water impossible.
  • Propagate by redistributing clusters of plantlets when they appear.
  • Native to the Rocky Mountain states of the western USA and Canada, through Central America, and to most of South America. It has been introduced to Europe, North and sub-Saharan Africa, China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, the Caribbean, and Hawaii.

Buy Azolla filiculoides (Mosquito Fern)

Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 11
Heat Zones 1 – 11
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Ferns
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2" – 3" (5cm – 7cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance High
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Alaska, California, Northeast, New York, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington, Southeast, Florida, Southwest, Arizona, Texas
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens

Buy Plants


Chema Grenda, komkrit Preechachanwate, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 11
Heat Zones 1 – 11
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Ferns
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2" – 3" (5cm – 7cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance High
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Alaska, California, Northeast, New York, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington, Southeast, Florida, Southwest, Arizona, Texas
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens

Plant Calculator

How many Azolla filiculoides (Mosquito Fern) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Azolla filiculoides (Mosquito Fern)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.