Marsilea quadrifolia
An aquatic fern that produces tiny four-leaf-clover fronds when submerged. Slower than Marsilea hirsuta and gives a more delicate, almost clover-like carpet. Tolerates much cooler water than tropical carpet plants.
Four-Leaf Clover (Marsilea quadrifolia) is a carpet (fern) aquatic plant for the foreground of a planted tank. It reaches 3–8 cm under good conditions and grows at a slow rate. Light: medium to high. CO₂: optional. Target 18–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 2–15 dGH. Substrate: Aquasoil preferred; root tabs in inert substrate. Propagate via runners — sends out plantlets along the substrate.
Care at a glance
An aquatic fern that produces tiny four-leaf-clover fronds when submerged. Slower than Marsilea hirsuta and gives a more delicate, almost clover-like carpet. Tolerates much cooler water than tropical carpet plants.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether four-leaf clover fits in your tank.
Marsileaceae
Carpet (fern)
Foreground
Aquasoil preferred; root tabs in inert substrate
Runners — sends out plantlets along the substrate
Europe, Asia, naturalised in North America
Europe, Asia, naturalised in North America
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: optional. Light requirement: medium to high. Under low-tech conditions the plant grows at a slow rate.
Four-Leaf Clover (Marsilea quadrifolia) needs medium to high light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: foreground. Substrate: Aquasoil preferred; root tabs in inert substrate It typically reaches 3–8 cm.
Propagation method: Runners — sends out plantlets along the substrate. Four-Leaf Clover is a carpet (fern) plant.
Target 18–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, and 2–15 dGH. Flow tolerance: low.
Difficulty: 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
