[3][4] Ceratopteris thalictroides is widespread across the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, occurring as far north as Japan and as far south as western Australia.

[5][4][6] Rooted in mud, Ceratopteris thalictroides plants vary in size and appearance.

Proliferous or dormant buds with their overlapping dark scales present in the axils of fertile pinnae are winged.

[7] The species has been reported to functionally be an annual, repopulating from spores the next season, but it is clearly of indefinite lifespan in cultivation.

[citation needed] It grows best in soil with a pH reading of 5-9 and in very high amounts of light.

The dense roots are said to take nutrients out of the water, helping to prevent the growth of algae.