Azolla Caroliniana

Azolla Caroliniana has quite a few names, like Azolla Fairy Moss. Some people call it a Water Fern or Mosquito Fern, which is fine... but we think Fairy Moss is way cooler. We saw this plant a few years back and KNEW we had to get it on the site one day because it's one of the cutest floating plants we've ever seen!

Azolla Fairy Moss is a tiny floating plant that grows in little clusters across the surface of the water. Honestly, it kind of looks like tiny green snowflakes floating around your tank or pond! Under stronger lighting, Azolla can even develop pretty pink, orange, or reddish tones, which makes it even more fun!

This fast-growing floating plant does great in aquariums, ponds, summer tubs, shrimp tanks, and fry setups. It provides shade, surface cover, and cozy hiding spots for shy fish, baby fish, and shrimp. Like most floating plants, it does best with gentle water flow and doesn't love being pushed around by heavy surface agitation.

Azolla Caroliniana is easy to care for and grows quickly once it settles in, so you may need to thin it out from time to time. It does best under medium to high lighting and thrives in a wide range of pH levels and temperatures, though it is not a big fan of cold water.

If you want a floating plant that feels a little more unique than the usual options, Azolla Fairy Moss is such a fun pick!

Key Features of Azolla Fairy Moss

• Tiny floating plant with a fairy moss or snowflake appearance
• Also known as Azolla Caroliniana, Fairy Moss, Mosquito Fern, or Water Fern
• Perfect for aquariums, ponds, summer tubs, shrimp tanks, and fry setups
• Provides shade and cover for shy fish, fry, and shrimp
• Can develop pink, orange, or red coloration under stronger lighting
• Fast-growing and beginner-friendly
• Prefers gentle water flow with minimal surface agitation
• May arrive with small amounts of duckweed mixed in

Care Guide for Azolla Caroliniana

• Scientific Name: Azolla caroliniana
• Common Names: Azolla Fairy Moss, Fairy Moss, Mosquito Fern, Water Fern
• Care Level: Easy
• pH: 5.0-8.0
• Light: Medium to High
• CO₂: Not Required
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Placement: Floating Plant

Note: Please do additional research on your plant to ensure it thrives in your aquarium.

*All plants may contain snails or snail eggs. We intentionally keep snails in our plant systems because of the many benefits they provide.*