Azolla (Fairy Moss)

You will receive a golf ball-sized portion of live Azolla (Fairy Moss), freshly packed and ready to float in your aquarium, pond, or water garden.

Azolla — affectionately known as Fairy Moss — is a small floating fern that punches well above its size in terms of visual impact and utility. Under moderate light it presents a lush, textured green mat; under high light or cool temperatures it shifts to vivid shades of orange and deep red, creating a stunning natural contrast at the water's surface. Its tiny, overlapping fronds form a dense floating canopy that diffuses light, absorbs excess nutrients, and provides natural cover for fish and shrimp beneath.

✦ What you're getting
A golf ball-sized portion establishes a healthy surface mat right away and expands rapidly under good conditions. Azolla is shipped lightly moist and cushioned to stay fresh through transit.

✦ Care at a glance
• Difficulty: Very easy — one of the fastest growing floaters available
• Lighting: Low to high (red/orange coloration develops under high light or cooler temps)
• CO₂: Not required
• Fertilizer: Not required — absorbs nutrients directly from the water column
• Temperature: 59–82°F (15–28°C)
• pH: 5.5–8.0
• Placement: Floating surface plant

✦ Uses & applications
Azolla is one of the most multi-functional floating plants in the hobby:
• Aquariums — natural surface cover, diffuses harsh lighting, reduces algae by outcompeting nutrients
• Betta tanks — ideal resting and hiding cover near the surface; bettas love to build bubble nests beneath floating mats
• Shrimp tanks — provides biofilm grazing on its submerged roots and natural cover for molting shrimp
• Ponds & water gardens — rapid growth provides excellent natural filtration and surface shade
• Fry tanks — dense mats offer refuge and a rich food source for newly hatched fry

✦ Growth & maintenance
Azolla is one of the fastest-growing aquatic plants available — under good conditions it can double in size within days. Simply thin the mat regularly by scooping out excess and discarding or composting it. Use a surface skimmer or filter outlet deflector to keep it from being pulled under, as it is strictly  a surface plant and will not survive fully submerged.

✦ Shipping & live arrival
All orders are shipped via USPS Ground Mail Monday through Thursday. Orders are held on weekends, holidays, and holiday weekends to ensure safe arrival. Cool packs are included at no additional charge as needed based on weather. Heat packs are available upon request for an additional fee. Upgrades to USPS Priority Mail are available upon request. Ships across the US and all US territories. Customers are responsible for providing an accurate shipping address.