Salvinia natans (Floating Fern)

Salvinia natans (Floating Fern) is a tiny free-floating fern forming a mat of pinnate leaves, 1 in. long (2.5 cm), in whorls of three. Two elliptic, light green leaves lie flat on the water surface. A third feather-like leaf is submerged, hanging freely in the water, and functions as a root. Flotation is made possible by pouches of air within the leaves. Native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa, Floating Fern occurs naturally on still water surfaces. It provides a refuge for many freshwater fish and a natural filter from sunlight reducing the spread of algae. 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 and block out light from below. Floating 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.
• Salvinia natans can grow quickly, easily outcompeting indigenous vegetation. The leaves can block sunlight from reaching very far underwater and interrupt the photosynthesis of many underwater plants. It can make survival for other organisms in the water impossible.
• Propagate by redistributing clusters of plantlets when they appear.
• Native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa.