Nilotic water fern Plant Care
Azolla nilotica Dcne.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Azolla nilotica is a medium-sized floating fern, that naturally occurs in the Nile and in eastern and central Africa. It is assigned to the family Salviniaceae.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Nilotic water fern?
Nilotic water fern grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Nilotic water fern?
Nilotic water fern (Azolla nilotica) belongs to the Salviniaceae family within the Azolla genus. Nilotic water fern is also known as African water fern.
Nilotic water fern displays a floating aquatic fern growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Nilotic water fern produces tiny inconspicuous sporocarps.
What Light Does the Nilotic water fern Need?
Nilotic water fern thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Nilotic water fern?
Nutrient-rich, muddy soil or water with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Nilotic water fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Nilotic water fern?
Not applicable, grows floating on water. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Nilotic water fern?
Nilotic water fern can be propagated through spores, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to carolina azolla plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Nilotic water fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Nilotic water fern, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Nilotic water fern?
Nilotic water fern is susceptible to generally pest-free. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Nilotic water fern is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Azolla genus — compare its care with other Azolla species on PlantoScan.
Azolla is part of the Salviniaceae plant family — browse all Salviniaceae genera and species.
Nilotic water fern thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Azolla nilotica Dcne., family Salviniaceae (first published in Pl. Tinn. 54 t. 25. 1867. Bak. Hdb. 138 (1867)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Nilotic water fern, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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