Fern Care

Joy Club members this year received a squirrel’s foot Fern for their March houseplant delivery. Squirrel’s foot ferns (davallia bullata) are low maintence plants native to China and Japan and display a delicate grayish-green foliage. As an evergreen plant they will provide decoration in ornamental pots on patios or hanging gardens as well as indoors. They prefer shade to part shade (indirect light) and need little sprinkling, enough water but does not tolerate saturation.

What makes these ferns unique are the “feet” (or rhizomes) that grow to receive nutrients and moisture from the air. This is where their name comes from! The rhizomes wrap around and cling to tree trunks in their native habitat, but when placed in a container, the furry paw-like feet slowly crawl over and down the edges of their pots similar to orchid roots.

Care

Sunlight

Indirect light or full to partial shade.

Temperature

Not winter hardy in zone 5 (Indiana) so please bring indoors when temperatures begin to frost. This tropical plant thrives between 75-90 degrees F but tolerates swings below that well until about 40-45 degrees F.

Water

Water about every 7-10 days and allow the plant to dry out slightly between waterings. Use a pot with drainage holes and do not allow the plant to sit in water to precent roots from rotting or disease to develop.

Fertilize

Established plants can benefit from fertilization. Indoors need a monthly feeding starting in the late spring and through summer. Look for a fertilizer of 3-1-2 N-P-K ratio. A general all-purpose fertilizer with balanced nutrients can work as well just keep it diluted to 3 or less on each ration number.

pruning

Use a clean pair of sharp scissors or snips, prune only when new growth appears. Simply take your snips and cut away any dying, damaged, yellow or declining foliage.

Let us know how it goes growing these ferns! You can read more tips on houseplant displays on Pinterest!