Marsilea hirsuta (Dwarf Cloverleaf)

18 September 2026

Marsilea hirsuta is a popular aquatic fern often utilized as a foreground carpet plant in aquascaping. It is characterized by its clover-like leaves, which can vary in appearance depending on whether the plant is grown submersed or emersed. This hardy species is well-regarded for its adaptability, making it a suitable choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists looking for a lush, green carpet.

Cultivation Requirements

Marsilea hirsuta thrives in nutrient-rich substrates and prefers moderate to high lighting to maintain a compact growth habit. While it can tolerate lower light levels, it will grow taller and less densely. Supplemental carbon dioxide is not strictly required but significantly boosts growth rate and density, helping the plant spread more quickly across the aquarium floor via its creeping rhizomes.

Planting and Maintenance

When planting, divide the portion into small clumps and insert them into the substrate at regular intervals. The plant will eventually fill in the gaps as it spreads. Regular trimming is recommended to encourage lateral growth and prevent the carpet from becoming too thick or detaching from the substrate. Ensure the water column contains sufficient micro and macronutrients to support healthy development.

Plant info

Colors: Green, Light green
Difficulty: Easy
Origin: Australia
Usage: Foreground
Type: Fern
Growth rate: Medium
Height: 2-10 cm
Light demand: Medium
CO2: Medium

Related on Plants

Leave your comments

Latest on Plants

Cryptocoryne wendtii (Cryptocoryne wendtii Mi Oya)

Cryptocoryne wendtii Mi Oya is a robust and highly adaptable aquatic plant originating from Sri Lanka. It is favored by aquarists for its distinctive, hammered leaf texture and rich, brownish-red coloration. This variety is an excellent choice for the middleground of an aquarium, providing a striking contrast against green foliage and creating a natural, established aesthetic.
Cryptocoryne undulatus 'Red' (Red Undulated Cryptocoryne)

Cryptocoryne undulatus 'Red' is a striking aquarium plant known for its distinct, wavy-edged foliage and deep reddish-brown coloration. This cultivar is highly valued for its ability to adapt to various water conditions, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced aquascapers looking to add a vibrant focal point to their midground aquarium layouts.
Hydrocotyle tripartita (Cloverleaf)

Hydrocotyle tripartita is a popular, fast-growing aquatic plant known for its distinctive three-lobed, clover-like leaves. Often used in aquascaping to create lush carpets or dense, bright green bushes, this species is highly adaptable. It thrives in well-lit aquariums and responds positively to CO2 supplementation, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced aquarists looking for rapid growth.
Vesicularia dubyana 'Christmas' (Christmas Moss)

Christmas Moss is a popular aquatic moss characterized by its distinct triangular, fir-like branching pattern. Highly valued in aquascaping, it creates dense, lush carpets or textured surfaces when attached to hardscape. It is relatively adaptable, making it a suitable choice for both beginners and experienced hobbyists looking to enhance the aesthetic complexity of their planted aquarium setups.
Bucephalandra sp. (Needle Leaf)

Bucephalandra sp. Needle Leaf is a highly sought-after, slow-growing aquatic plant known for its narrow, elongated leaves and compact growth habit. Native to the streams of Borneo, this rheophyte thrives when attached to hardscapes like rocks or driftwood. Its distinct foliage adds texture to the foreground or midground of aquascapes, making it a favorite for planted aquarium enthusiasts.
Bucephalandra sp. Kedagang (Bucephalandra)

Bucephalandra sp. Kedagang is a slow-growing aquatic plant originating from Borneo. Highly valued for its striking, dark, wavy-edged foliage and distinct silvery spots, it is a popular choice for aquascaping. This rheophyte thrives when attached to hardscape elements like rocks or driftwood, providing a sophisticated, textured appearance to the foreground or midground of a planted aquarium.
Bucephalandra pygmaea (Bukit Kelam)

Bucephalandra pygmaea, commonly referred to as Bukit Kelam, is a popular rhizomatous plant originating from Borneo. Known for its distinctively wavy, dark green leaves and resilience, it is highly sought after for aquascaping. This plant thrives when attached to hardscape elements like rocks or driftwood, providing an elegant aesthetic to the middleground of a planted aquarium.
Lilaeopsis brasiliensis (Brazilian grass)

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis is a popular foreground plant known for its grass-like appearance. It spreads via creeping runners, eventually forming a dense carpet in the aquarium. While it can be challenging to establish, it provides a natural aesthetic. This species thrives in well-lit tanks and benefits significantly from supplemental carbon dioxide and nutrient-rich substrates to maintain growth.
Rotala rotundifolia 'Bonsai' (Rotala 'Bonsai')

Rotala rotundifolia 'Bonsai' is a compact aquatic stem plant highly valued in aquascaping for its small, rounded leaves and manageable growth habit. Unlike other Rotala species that grow tall and wild, this cultivar maintains a dense, upright structure. It is an excellent choice for creating detailed textures in the middleground of planted aquariums, provided light and nutrient levels are sufficient.
Eleocharis acicularis (Bonsai Needlewort)

Eleocharis acicularis, commonly known as bonsai needlewort, is a popular grass-like plant for the foreground of aquascaped tanks. This diminutive form creates a dense, carpet-like appearance when provided with sufficient light and nutrients. Its slender, bright green blades spread via underground runners, making it an excellent choice for creating natural-looking grassy meadows in freshwater aquarium layouts.
Anubias barteri (Mini Coin)

Anubias barteri Mini Coin is a compact, slow-growing cultivar of the well-known Anubias barteri. It is highly valued for its small, rounded, coin-like leaves, which make it an excellent choice for the foreground or for attaching to hardscape. This hardy plant is suitable for beginners and thrives in a wide range of aquarium conditions.
Lemna minor (Duckweed)

Lemna minor is a small, free-floating aquatic plant commonly known as duckweed. It is widely recognized for its rapid reproduction and ability to cover the water surface. While often considered a nuisance by some aquarists due to its invasive nature, it serves as an excellent natural nitrate remover and provides shade for shy fish species in home aquariums.
Rotala rotundifolia (Rotala)

Rotala rotundifolia is a popular stem plant in the aquarium hobby, often marketed under various names including Rotala indica. While its taxonomy can be complex due to phenotypic variation, it is highly valued for its adaptability and aesthetic appeal. It produces delicate, light green to reddish leaves depending on light intensity and nutrient availability in the aquarium.
Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pinto' (Pinto Anubias)

The Anubias barteri var. nana 'Pinto' is a highly sought-after variegated cultivar of the popular Anubias nana. Characterized by its striking white and green marbled leaves, this slow-growing epiphyte is often attached to hardscape materials like the coconut shell and weeping moss combination seen here, creating an aesthetically pleasing and functional centerpiece for smaller aquarium setups.
Echinodorus 'Little Bear' (Little Bear Sword)

Echinodorus 'Little Bear' is a popular cultivar within the Echinodorus genus, prized for its compact growth habit and distinctive leaf structure. As a hybridized sword plant, it is often utilized in aquascaping to provide a focal point in the middleground. It adapts well to various aquarium conditions, making it a reliable choice for many hobbyists.
Vallisneria americana (Eelgrass)

Vallisneria americana is a popular, robust aquarium plant known for its long, ribbon-like leaves that create a lush, grass-like appearance. Ideally suited for the background of larger tanks, it is relatively undemanding and adapts well to various water conditions. It propagates readily through runners, quickly filling in empty spaces to provide a natural aesthetic.