Complete Guide To Kangaroo Paw Fern Care and Growth

Quick Overview

Kangaroo Ferns, scientifically known as Microsorum diversifolium or Microsorum pustulatum, are a popular choice for houseplants due to their unique frond shape resembling a kangaroo’s foot. Native to Australia and New Zealand, these attractive evergreen perennials have gained global popularity for their lush appearance and relatively easy care requirements, making them an ideal choice for many plant enthusiasts.

Mature plants typically reach about 1-2 feet tall and can spread 3-4 feet wide. The foliage consists of long, slender fronds that emerge from hairy, creeping rhizomes. Fronds can vary in shape even on the same plant, ranging from smooth and strap-like to deeply lobed, giving them their characteristic “kangaroo paw” look. The fronds have a deep, glossy green color, sometimes with a hint of blue, and develop a leather-like texture as they mature. This plant does not flower but may occasionally show tiny, mustard-yellow spore cases on the underside of its fronds.

In their native habitat, Kangaroo Ferns thrive in warm, humid forests and rainforests, growing either terrestrially on the forest floor or as epiphytes on trees and logs. They prefer moist, well-draining, acidic soil rich in organic matter.

Kangaroo Ferns are non-toxic to humans and pets, making them a safe addition to homes with children and animals.

How much light does a Kangaroo Fern need?

Kangaroo Ferns prefer bright, indirect light, though they are adaptable to various light conditions. In their native environment, they often grow in the shaded understories of forests.

When cultivated as houseplants, aim to provide moderate to bright, indirect light. An east or west-facing window is ideal. If placed near a south-facing window, ensure the light is filtered, perhaps through a sheer curtain, to prevent scorching. Direct western sun should be avoided as it can damage the foliage.

While Kangaroo Ferns can tolerate low light areas, their growth may slow, and the fronds might become smaller and sparser. To encourage even growth, rotate the plant periodically.

Light PRO Tips

How to Water a Kangaroo Fern

Kangaroo Ferns should be kept evenly moist but not soggy or waterlogged. A good rule of thumb is to allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. During the warmer growing months (spring and summer), you might need to water as often as twice a week, depending on your indoor environment. In winter, when growth slows, reduce watering frequency to every 10-14 days.

Always water thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain freely from the pot’s drainage holes. Avoid letting the plant sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot.

Using room temperature filtered or distilled water is ideal, especially if your tap water is hard or chlorinated. If using tap water, let it sit out overnight before watering to allow chlorine to dissipate, which can otherwise cause browning at the frond tips.

Troubleshooting Water Issues

• Droopy or curled fronds: Often a sign of underwatering. Check the soil moisture and water thoroughly if dry.
• Yellowing lower fronds or mushy base: Can indicate overwatering. Ensure the pot has good drainage and allow the soil to dry more between waterings.

Best Soil for Kangaroo Fern

Kangaroo Ferns thrive in a well-draining, slightly acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. The ideal soil mix should retain some moisture but allow excess water to drain away easily to prevent root rot.

• Drainage: Crucial for Kangaroo Ferns. Amend your potting mix with perlite, pumice, or orchid bark to improve drainage.
• Organic Matter: Incorporate peat moss or coco coir, which helps retain moisture while allowing good aeration. Peat moss also contributes to the slight acidity (pH 6.0-6.5) that these ferns prefer. High-quality compost can also add beneficial organic matter and nutrients.
• Aeration: Besides perlite or pumice, ensure the mix is not too compact.
• Pot Choice: Use a pot with adequate drainage holes. A depth of at least 5-6 inches is good to accommodate the spreading rhizomes.

A good quality, peat-based soilless potting mix specifically formulated for ferns or houseplants can be a good starting point, amended as needed for optimal drainage and acidity.

How to Feed a Kangaroo Fern

Kangaroo Ferns are relatively light feeders but benefit from occasional fertilization during their active growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half the recommended strength.

Fertilize monthly from spring through summer. Reduce feeding to every 6-8 weeks in the fall and winter, or stop altogether if growth is minimal.

Never fertilize a plant that is stressed, dry, or freshly repotted. Wait a few weeks after repotting before resuming fertilizer application to avoid burning the roots. Over-fertilizing can cause frond tip damage. It’s also a good practice to flush the soil with plain water every few months to prevent the buildup of fertilizer salts.

Ideal Temperature Range

Indoors, Kangaroo Ferns prefer temperatures between 60-80°F (16-27°C). They can tolerate brief drops to around 50°F (10°C) at night, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below 55°F (13°C) can damage the foliage.

If you move your Kangaroo Fern outdoors for the summer, ensure that nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 60°F (16°C). These ferns are not frost-hardy. Avoid placing them in locations with extreme temperature fluctuations or near drafts from windows, doors, or air conditioning vents. High temperatures above 85°F (30°C) can also cause heat stress.

When temperatures begin to drop in the fall, bring the plant back indoors. Make any location changes gradually to prevent shocking the plant.

Humidity Requirements for Kangaroo Ferns

Like many tropical ferns, Kangaroo Ferns appreciate a humid environment. Ideal indoor humidity levels are between 55-70%. Most homes tend to have lower humidity, especially during winter when heating systems are in use.

To increase humidity around your Kangaroo Fern:

• Place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (ensure the pot itself is not sitting in the water).
• Group it with other plants to create a more humid microclimate.
• Use a room humidifier nearby.
• Mist the fronds regularly with room temperature water, preferably in the morning.

Keep the plant away from direct sources of dry air, such as heating vents or radiators, as this can cause the frond tips to brown and dry out.

Does Kangaroo Fern flower?

Common Varieties of Kangaroo Fern

Kangaroo ferns belong to the genus Microsorum. While Microsorum diversifolium is the most commonly referred to as Kangaroo Fern or Kangaroo Paw Fern, there are other related species sometimes encountered:

• Microsorum diversifolium (Kangaroo Paw Fern): This is the most common type, characterized by its bright green, leathery fronds that are deeply lobed, resembling a kangaroo’s paw. Frond shapes can be quite variable on a single plant.
• Microsorum pustulatum: Often considered synonymous with M. diversifolium or a very closely related species with similar characteristics and care requirements.
• Microsorum punctatum (Monkey Fern): This species has more elongated, less deeply lobed, or sometimes entire (unlobed) fronds. The texture might be slightly different.
• Microsorum musifolium (Crocodile Fern): Known for its broad, strap-like fronds with a unique網目模様 (netted pattern) resembling crocodile skin. While in the same genus, its appearance is quite distinct.
• Microsorum membranifolium (Javanese Fern): Features bright green, narrow fronds with ruffled, undulating edges. The leaf tissue is thin and almost translucent.
• Microsorum steerei (Blue Oil Fern): A rarer fern, sometimes noted for a bluish sheen on its delicate fronds.

Though frond appearance can vary, the general care requirements for most Microsorum species kept as houseplants are similar, emphasizing indirect light, consistent moisture, and high humidity.

Potting Needs

Kangaroo Ferns prefer to be slightly root-bound and can tolerate somewhat tight quarters, but overly restricting their growth can be detrimental. For young plants or divisions, start with a pot that comfortably accommodates the root ball, perhaps a 6-inch pot. As the fern matures and its rhizomes spread, you will need to size up. Mature Kangaroo Ferns can spread significantly and may eventually need a 12-14 inch diameter pot.

Choose containers with ample drainage holes. A peat-based, soilless potting mix amended with perlite, peat moss, or orchid bark is ideal to maintain the slightly acidic, well-draining conditions Kangaroo Ferns prefer. Hanging baskets are an excellent choice as they allow the trailing rhizomes and arching fronds to spill over attractively. Wide, shallow pots can also showcase their spreading habit.

When and How to Repot

Repot your Kangaroo Fern every 2-3 years, or when it becomes noticeably root-bound (e.g., roots growing out of drainage holes, water draining too quickly, or growth slowing significantly). The best time to repot is in the spring, just before the active growing season begins.

When repotting:

1. Gently remove the fern from its current pot.
2. Inspect the root ball. If it’s densely packed, gently loosen the roots.
3. This is a good time to divide the plant if desired (see Propagation section).
4. Trim off any dead or mushy roots and old, spent fronds.
5. Place the fern in the new pot (usually one size larger) with fresh potting mix, ensuring the rhizomes are at or slightly above the soil surface.
6. Water thoroughly after repotting.

How and When to Prune

Occasional pruning helps keep your Kangaroo Fern looking full, compact, and healthy. The main reasons for pruning are to remove dead, damaged, or diseased fronds and to manage its size.

• Maintenance Pruning: Throughout the year, use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut off any fronds that are brown, yellow, or showing signs of disease. Cut them at the base, close to the rhizome. Removing spent foliage keeps the plant looking neat and directs energy towards new growth.
• Size Management: If your plant is becoming too large for its space, you can prune back some of the spreading rhizomes and their attached fronds. This is best done during repotting. You can reduce the overall size by up to one-third. These pruned sections can often be used for propagation.

Regularly removing old growth encourages fresh, new fronds to emerge, maintaining the plant’s vibrant appearance.

Methods for Propagating Kangaroo Fern

Kangaroo Ferns are relatively easy to propagate, primarily through rhizome division. Spore propagation is possible but more challenging and time-consuming for home growers.

1. Rhizome Division: This is the most common and successful method, best done during repotting in spring.

• Carefully remove the parent plant from its pot.
• Identify sections of rhizomes that have a few healthy fronds and their own root systems.
• Using a clean, sharp knife or shears, cut the rhizome into divisions. Ensure each division has at least 2-3 fronds and a good portion of roots.
• Pot each division into its own container filled with fresh, moist potting mix suitable for ferns.
• Keep the newly potted divisions in a warm, humid location with indirect light. Maintain consistent moisture as they establish.

2. Frond Cuttings (less common): Some sources suggest that fronds can be rooted, though this is less reliable than rhizome division.

• Take a healthy, mature frond.
• Place the base of the frond in contact with moist potting mix or sphagnum moss.
• Enclose the cutting in a plastic bag or under a cloche to maintain high humidity.
• Keep warm and in indirect light. Roots may form over several weeks to months.

For the highest success rate, rhizome division is recommended when propagating Kangaroo Ferns.

Pests That May Affect Kangaroo Ferns

The Kangaroo Fern’s tough, leathery leaves make it more resistant to pests than many other ferns. However, it can still be susceptible, especially when stressed. The fuzzy rhizomes can also provide a hiding place for certain insects.

• Scale Insects - This is the most likely pest. These hard-shelled insects attach to the undersides of leaves and along the rhizomes, appearing as small, dark brown bumps.
• Mealybugs - Can hide in the nooks where fronds emerge from the rhizome. Look for their characteristic white, cottony residue.
• Fungus Gnats - The consistently moist soil this fern enjoys can attract fungus gnats, whose larvae live in the potting medium.
• Spider Mites - Less common due to the fern’s preference for humidity, but they can appear in very dry environments, causing stippling on the leaves.
• 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.

Outdoor Pest Concerns

When grown outdoors in a hanging basket or as groundcover, Kangaroo Ferns may be targeted by:

• Slugs & Snails - These pests will chew on the new, tender fronds and can also damage the rhizomes, leaving ragged holes and trails.

Troubleshooting Kangaroo Fern Issues

Most problems with the Kangaroo Fern are related to its epiphytic nature and its unique, creeping rhizomes. Proper planting and watering are key to its health.

• Root Rot (Rhizome Rot) - This is the number one issue for this plant. The fuzzy, green “kangaroo paw” rhizomes must not be buried under the soil. They are designed to creep along the surface. Burying them will cause them to rot quickly, leading to yellowing leaves and plant death.
• Yellowing Leaves - This is most often a symptom of overwatering and the onset of rhizome rot. The soil should be kept moist but never soggy. Ensure the pot has excellent drainage.
• Brown, Crispy Edges - While tougher than other ferns, its leaves will still get crispy tips if the air is too dry or if it is allowed to dry out completely between waterings.
• Wilting & Drooping - The fronds will lose their firm posture and droop when the plant is thirsty. This is a good visual cue to check the soil moisture.
• Stunted Growth - If the fern isn’t producing new fronds or its rhizomes aren’t creeping, it may not be getting enough bright, indirect light. A lack of light can also prevent it from developing its mature, deeply lobed “hand” shaped leaves, keeping them in their juvenile, simpler “foot” shape.
• Brown-Black Spots - Fungal leaf spots can develop if the leaves stay wet for long periods in an environment with poor air circulation. It’s best to water the soil directly and avoid splashing the foliage.
• 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.

Creative Ways to Display Kangaroo Ferns

Kangaroo Ferns make a striking statement with their unique frond shapes and spreading habit. Here are some ideas for showcasing them in your home:

• Hanging Baskets: Their trailing rhizomes and arching fronds look fantastic spilling over the edges of a hanging basket. Choose a basket of adequate size (at least 12-14 inches in diameter for mature plants) with good drainage.
• Floor Pots: For larger specimens, wide, shallow containers or low bowls can beautifully display the horizontal spread of the fronds. This works well for placing them on the floor or low plant stands.
• Cachepots: Use decorative cachepots (pots without drainage holes) to house the nursery pot. This allows for aesthetic flexibility while ensuring you can easily remove the plant for proper watering and drainage.
• Tiered Plant Stands: The cascading nature of Kangaroo Ferns makes them an excellent choice for tiered plant stands, allowing their fronds to drape elegantly.
• Mantels and Shelves: Let them trail off mantels or high shelves for an elevated display, adding a touch of lush greenery to vertical spaces.
• Mixed Plantings: The bold, textured fronds of the Kangaroo Fern provide an interesting contrast when paired with plants with more delicate foliage, like some other fern varieties (e.g., bird’s nest ferns), or alongside creeping plants like inch plants or ivy in a large container.
• Jungle Vibe: Combine them with other tropical plants such as palms, philodendrons, and other large-leaved species to create an indoor jungle effect.

Consider the plant’s need for indirect light and humidity when choosing a display location. Bathrooms with sufficient light can be an ideal spot due to naturally higher humidity.

Expert Tips for Thriving Kangaroo Ferns

• Consistent Moisture: Aim for soil that is consistently moist but never waterlogged. Allowing the top inch or two to dry out is a good indicator.
• Humidity is Key: These ferns love humidity (55-70%). Regular misting, a pebble tray, or a humidifier will make a big difference, especially in dry indoor environments.
• Filtered Light: Bright, indirect light is best. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the fronds.
• Good Drainage: Ensure your pot and soil mix offer excellent drainage to prevent root rot.
• Avoid Drafts: Protect your fern from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
• Gentle Feeding: Fertilize sparingly (half-strength, monthly during growing season) as they are not heavy feeders.
• Flush Soil: Occasionally flush the soil with plain water to prevent the buildup of fertilizer salts.
• Rotate for Even Growth: If light comes primarily from one direction, rotate your plant periodically to encourage balanced growth.
• Clean Fronds: Gently wipe fronds with a damp cloth if they become dusty to help with photosynthesis and keep them looking their best.
• Repot When Needed: Repot every 2-3 years or when root-bound, using fresh, appropriate potting mix. This is also a good time to propagate.

What are the ideal light conditions for a Kangaroo Fern?

How often should I water my Kangaroo Fern?

What’s the best temperature range for Kangaroo Ferns?

When should I repot my Kangaroo Fern?

How do I propagate new Kangaroo Ferns?

Why are the fronds turning brown or yellow?

How can I revive a drooping Kangaroo Fern?

What are some good companion plants for Kangaroo Ferns?

Are Kangaroo Ferns toxic to pets?