Complete Guide To Fish Tail Fern Care and Growth

Quick Overview

The Fish Tail Fern (Nephrolepis pendula) is a graceful and eye-catching fern prized for its long, weeping fronds. What makes it truly unique are the forked tips of its leaflets, which resemble a fish’s tail. This feature gives it a distinct texture that sets it apart from its popular cousin, the Boston Fern.

Native to tropical regions around the world, this fern is an excellent choice for hanging baskets, where its cascading foliage can be fully appreciated. It’s relatively easy to care for, thriving in humid, bright conditions and rewarding its owner with lush, vibrant greenery. It’s also non-toxic, making it a perfect addition to homes with pets and children.

Ideal Light for Fish Tail Fern

The Fish Tail Fern flourishes in bright, indirect light. Think of the dappled sunlight it would receive on a forest floor. An east-facing window that gets gentle morning sun is perfect. It can also do well near a north or west-facing window, as long as it’s shielded from harsh, direct afternoon sun.

Too much direct sunlight will scorch its delicate fronds, causing them to turn yellow or brown. On the other hand, too little light will result in slow, sparse growth and a loss of vibrancy. Rotate your fern every few weeks to ensure all sides get even light exposure.

Best & Worst Light Conditions

• Best Light Conditions:
  Indoors: A few feet from an east, west, or north-facing window. A bright bathroom or kitchen is ideal.
  Outdoors: In a shady or partially shaded spot, like under a covered patio or a large tree.

• Avoid:
  Direct, intense sunlight, which will burn the leaves.
  Deep shade, which will lead to leggy, weak growth.

Watering Needs

Watering Frequency

• Growing Season (Spring & Summer):
  Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch. This is typically about once a week, but may be more frequent in very warm or bright conditions.

• Dormant Season (Fall & Winter):
  Reduce watering slightly, allowing the soil to dry out a bit more between waterings. The plant’s growth slows down, so it requires less water.

Watering Method

Signs of Improper Watering

• Overwatering:
  Yellowing fronds, a musty smell from the soil, or wilted, limp foliage.

• Underwatering:
  Crispy brown tips, wilting, and fronds that feel dry and brittle.

What Kind of Soil Does Fish Tail Fern Like?

The right soil mix provides the perfect balance of moisture retention and drainage, which is critical for a healthy fern. The Fish Tail Fern prefers a rich, organic, and well-aerated soil that holds moisture without becoming compacted or waterlogged. A slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 6.5) is ideal.

The ideal soil should be:

• Rich in organic matter to provide nutrients.
• Able to hold moisture consistently.
• Porous enough to allow for good drainage and airflow to the roots.

DIY Soil Mix Recipe for Fish Tail Fern

You can easily create an excellent custom mix for your fern with this simple recipe:

• 2 parts peat moss or coco coir – For moisture retention and acidity.
• 1 part standard potting soil – As a base with some nutrients.
• 1 part perlite or orchid bark – To improve drainage and aeration.

This blend mimics the loamy, humus-rich soil of its native tropical habitat, keeping your fern happy and healthy.

Pre-Made Potting Mix Options

Fertilizing Your Fern

When and How to Fertilize

• Growing Season (Spring and Summer): Feed your fern once a month with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) diluted to half the recommended strength.
• Dormant Season (Fall and Winter): Stop fertilizing, as the plant’s growth slows and it doesn’t require extra nutrients.

Always water the plant before fertilizing to avoid burning the roots. Apply the diluted fertilizer to moist soil.

Signs of Fertilizing Issues

• Under-fertilizing: Slow growth, pale or small fronds.
• Over-fertilizing: Brown, crispy leaf tips, a white crust on the soil surface, or sudden leaf drop. If you suspect you’ve over-fertilized, flush the soil with plenty of water to wash out the excess salts.

Ideal Temperature Range

Fish Tail Ferns thrive in average to warm household temperatures, typical of their tropical origins. They are not cold-hardy and must be protected from frost.

• Ideal Range: 65-75°F (18-24°C).
• Minimum Temperature: Do not let temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).

Keep the fern away from cold drafts from windows or doors, as well as sudden temperature changes from air conditioning or heating vents. Consistency is key.

The Importance of Humidity

This is the most critical factor for keeping a Fish Tail Fern happy. These ferns are native to humid, tropical forests and will quickly show signs of stress in dry air. Low humidity is the number one cause of brown, crispy frond tips.

• Ideal Humidity: 50% or higher.

How to Increase Humidity

• Misting: Mist the fronds several times a week with a fine spray of water.
• Pebble Tray: Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it will increase humidity around the plant. Ensure the bottom of the pot is not sitting directly in the water.
• Humidifier: Using a small room humidifier near your fern is one of the most effective methods.
• Grouping Plants: Grouping it with other plants creates a more humid micro-environment.
• Location: Place it in a naturally humid room, like a bathroom or kitchen, provided there is enough light.

Ferns and Flowers

Pests That May Affect Fish Tail Ferns

The long, trailing fronds and unique forked leaflets of the Fish Tail Fern can unfortunately harbor pests, which may go unnoticed until the infestation is advanced. Regular, close inspection is recommended.

• Spider Mites - These pests are a major issue in dry indoor environments. They create fine webbing, especially in the dense upper part of the plant and between the “tails” of the leaflets, causing a faded, unhealthy appearance.
• Mealybugs - Check for these white, cotton-like pests at the base of the plant’s crown and along the length of the stems (rachis). They feed on plant juices, weakening the fern.
• Scale Insects - These immobile, armored insects look like small brown dots or bumps. They latch onto the stems and undersides of the leaves and can be difficult to remove from the plant’s many surfaces.
• Fungus Gnats - The constantly moist soil preferred by the Fish Tail Fern is an ideal breeding ground for these gnats. Their soil-dwelling larvae can chew on the fern’s fine roots, causing stress to the plant.
• Aphids - Less common, but they can attack the soft, new growth, causing it to be sticky and distorted.
• Whiteflies – Tiny, moth-like insects that fly up in a cloud when the plant is disturbed. They cluster on the undersides of leaves to suck sap, leading to yellowing and sticky residue. Use yellow sticky traps and insecticidal soap to control them.

Isolate an infested plant immediately and treat it with an appropriate horticultural soap or oil, ensuring complete coverage.

Troubleshooting Fish Tail Fern Issues

The Fish Tail Fern shares the same environmental needs as its Boston Fern relatives, meaning most of its problems are related to a lack of humidity or improper watering.

• Brown, Crispy Edges - This is a tell-tale sign of low humidity. The delicate forked tips of the fronds are often the first to turn brown and crispy. Increase ambient moisture by misting, grouping plants, or using a humidifier.
• Leaf Drop - When stressed, particularly by dry soil, this fern will dramatically shed its leaflets, leaving bare stems behind. This is a clear signal that it needs more consistent moisture.
• Yellowing Leaves - This points to a watering imbalance. If the soil is soggy and fronds are yellow, it is being overwatered. If the soil is very dry and fronds are turning a pale yellow, it is underwatered.
• Wilting & Drooping - The long fronds will lose their turgidity and hang limply when the plant is thirsty. A deep watering should revive it. If the soil is already wet, this indicates root rot, a serious condition where damaged roots can no longer take up water.
• Pale or Faded Leaves - If the fronds lose their vibrant green color and look washed-out, the fern is likely getting too much direct sunlight. Move it to a location with bright, indirect light.
• Stunted Growth - A lack of new fronds during the growing season can mean the plant is root-bound and needs repotting, or it isn’t receiving enough light to fuel new growth.
• Sunburn or Leaf Scorch – Appears as large, bleached, white, or crispy brown patches on leaves exposed to too much direct sunlight. This is damage from intense light and heat, not a disease.
• Nutrient Deficiency – Can manifest as slow or stunted growth, pale or yellowing leaves, and a general lack of vigor. It indicates the plant has exhausted the available nutrients in its soil and requires feeding with a balanced fertilizer.

Propagation Methods

Propagating a Fish Tail Fern is quite easy and rewarding. There are two primary methods:

1. By Division: When repotting a mature, dense plant, you can gently separate the root ball into two or more sections. Ensure each section has a healthy amount of roots and fronds, then plant them in their own pots with fresh soil.

2. From Runners (Stolons): The fern sends out long, wiry runners called stolons. Small plantlets will form along these runners. You can pin a plantlet down into a nearby pot of soil while it’s still attached to the mother plant. Once it has rooted, you can snip the runner. Alternatively, you can snip off a plantlet and pot it directly into moist soil.

Why is it called a Fish Tail Fern?

Are Fish Tail Ferns toxic to pets?

How do I make my Fish Tail Fern more full?

Why are the tips of my fern turning brown and crispy?

Can I grow Fish Tail Fern outside?

Does this fern really have 'runners'?