Complete Guide To Rabbit's Foot Fern Care and Growth

Quick Overview

How much light does a Rabbit's Foot Fern need?

Indoor Lighting

Outdoor Lighting

Signs of Lighting Issues

• Insufficient Light: Leggy growth, pale or yellowing fronds, slow growth.
• Excessive Light: Scorched or brown frond tips, dried out rhizomes.

How to Water a Rabbit's Foot Fern

Watering Frequency

• During the growing season (spring and summer), water when the top inch of the potting mix feels dry to the touch. This might be once or twice a week depending on conditions.
• Mist the furry rhizomes regularly, especially if they are not in direct contact with the soil, to keep them from drying out. They absorb moisture from the air.
• In winter, reduce watering frequency as growth slows. Allow the soil to dry out a bit more between waterings.

Watering Technique

• Water the potting mix thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Discard any excess water from the saucer.
• When misting or watering rhizomes, use room temperature water. Avoid letting them sit in standing water.

Signs of Improper Watering

• Overwatering: Yellowing fronds, mushy or rotting rhizomes, wilting despite moist soil (root rot).
• Underwatering: Brown, crispy frond edges; dry, shriveled rhizomes; wilting fronds.

Tips for Maintaining Proper Moisture

• Use a well-draining potting mix.
• High humidity helps keep rhizomes and fronds hydrated.

Ideal Soil Characteristics

Recommended Soil Mix

A good mix can be created using:

• 1 part peat moss or coco coir (for moisture retention)
• 1 part orchid bark (for aeration and structure)
• 1 part perlite or coarse sand (for drainage) Alternatively, a pre-made orchid mix or a specific fern mix for epiphytes can work well. The key is to avoid heavy, dense potting soils.

Moisture and Drainage

Why Fertilize?

Type and Frequency

• Use a balanced, water-soluble liquid houseplant fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 20-20-20).
• Dilute the fertilizer to quarter or half the recommended strength to avoid burning the sensitive roots and rhizomes.
• Fertilize once a month from spring through summer.
• Do not fertilize in fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows.

Alternative Fertilizers

Signs of Nutrient Deficiency

• Pale fronds
• Slow or stunted growth Over-fertilizing can cause more harm than under-fertilizing, so err on the side of caution.

Ideal Temperature Range

Indoor Temperature Considerations

Outdoor Temperature Considerations

Signs of Temperature Stress

• Too cold: Browning or blackening of fronds, leaf drop.
• Too hot (especially with low humidity): Crispy fronds, rapid drying of rhizomes.

Importance of Humidity

How to Increase Humidity

• Misting: Mist the fronds and exposed rhizomes frequently, daily if possible, especially in dry indoor environments.
• Pebble Tray: Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. Ensure the pot sits on the pebbles, not in the water, to increase local humidity through evaporation.
• Humidifier: Using a room humidifier nearby is an effective way to maintain consistent humidity.
• Grouping Plants: Grouping it with other plants can create a more humid microclimate.
• Location: Bathrooms or kitchens with good indirect light can provide naturally higher humidity.

Signs of Low Humidity Stress

• Brown, crispy edges or tips on fronds.
• Fronds may appear dull or shriveled.
• Rhizomes drying out too quickly.

Do Rabbit's Foot Ferns Flower?

Spore Production

Popular Rabbit's Foot Fern Varieties

While Davallia fejeensis is the most commonly cultivated “Rabbit’s Foot Fern,” the genus Davallia includes several species with similar furry rhizomes. Some related ferns sometimes also share similar common names or characteristics:

• Davallia fejeensis: The classic variety, known for its finely dissected, lacy, dark green fronds and dense, light brown to silvery furry rhizomes. This is the primary subject of this guide.
• Davallia tyermannii (often synonymous or very similar to D. fejeensis var. tyermannii): Sometimes called Silver Hare’s Foot Fern or White Rabbit’s Foot Fern due to its whiter, more silvery rhizomes. Fronds may be slightly different in texture.
• Davallia bullata (Squirrel’s Foot Fern): Has smaller, more finely cut fronds and typically thinner, darker rhizomes than D. fejeensis. It is often deciduous or semi-deciduous in cooler conditions.
• Davallia solida: Features broader, more leathery fronds compared to the delicate fronds of D. fejeensis.
• Humata tyermannii (often confused with Davallia, sometimes called Bear’s Paw Fern): Similar furry rhizomes but belongs to a different genus. Fronds are often thicker and more leathery.

When purchasing, ensure you are getting Davallia fejeensis if you desire the classic Rabbit’s Foot Fern appearance and characteristics. Care for most Davallia species is broadly similar, emphasizing high humidity and excellent drainage.

When to Repot

Preparing for Repotting

• Water the plant a day before repotting to make removal easier.
• Choose a shallow, wide pot that is only slightly larger than the current one, or of a similar size if you plan to divide the plant. Good drainage is essential. Hanging baskets are ideal.
• Prepare your fresh, airy, well-draining potting mix.

The Repotting Process

1. Gently remove the fern from its old pot. The rhizomes may be clinging to the sides.
2. Loosen old soil from the roots carefully. Inspect roots for any signs of rot and trim if necessary.
3. Place a layer of fresh mix in the new pot. Position the fern so the existing root ball is at the correct level, and the rhizomes can rest on or just above the soil surface. Do NOT bury the furry rhizomes.
4. Fill in around the root ball with new mix, gently firming it.
5. Water lightly and mist the rhizomes.

Dividing Rabbit's Foot Ferns

Why and When to Prune

Pruning Rabbit’s Foot Ferns is mainly for aesthetic purposes and to remove old or damaged foliage.

• Trim any brown, yellow, or dead fronds as they appear. This can be done year-round.
• Cut fronds at their base, close to the rhizome, using clean, sharp scissors or pruners.
• Avoid cutting the healthy, furry rhizomes unless you are propagating.

Pruning Techniques

• Make clean cuts to prevent disease.
• Regularly removing spent fronds helps improve air circulation around the base of the plant and keeps it looking tidy.

Encouraging New Growth

Tips for Successful Pruning

• Be gentle around the delicate rhizomes.
• Sterilize your tools before use.

Methods of Propagation

Propagating by Rhizome Cuttings

This is the most common and successful method. It’s best done in spring or early summer.

1. Select a Healthy Rhizome: Choose a firm, healthy section of a furry rhizome that is at least 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long. Ideally, it should have a few fronds growing from it or at least some visible buds.
2. Cut the Rhizome: Using a clean, sharp knife or pruning shears, carefully cut the selected rhizome section from the parent plant.
3. Prepare for Planting: You can let the cut end dry for a few hours to a day to callous slightly, which can help prevent rot, though this step is often skipped.
4. Plant the Cutting:
   • Fill a shallow pot or tray with a moist, well-draining potting mix (similar to what the parent plant uses, e.g., peat, perlite, and orchid bark).
   • Lay the rhizome cutting horizontally on the surface of the potting mix. Do not bury it.
   • You can use U-shaped pins (like floral pins or bent paperclips) to gently secure the rhizome in contact with the mix without pressing it in too deeply.
5. Care for the Cutting:
   • Place the pot in a location with bright, indirect light and warm temperatures (65-75°F / 18-24°C).
   • Maintain high humidity. You can cover the pot with a clear plastic bag (with a few ventilation holes) or place it in a propagator.
   • Keep the potting mix consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mist the rhizome and surrounding soil regularly.
6. Rooting: Roots and new fronds should begin to develop from the rhizome cutting within a few weeks to a couple of months. Once the cutting is well-rooted and showing active new growth, you can gradually acclimate it to normal room conditions if it was covered.

Propagating from Spores

This method mimics the fern’s natural reproductive cycle but requires patience and sterile conditions.

1. Collect Spores: When the sori (spore clusters) on the underside of mature fronds turn dark brown and look powdery, carefully cut the frond and place it sori-side down on a clean sheet of white paper in a dry, draft-free area. Spores will fall onto the paper over a few days.
2. Sow Spores: Prepare a small, shallow pot or tray with a sterilized, fine-textured, moist seed-starting mix (e.g., peat moss or a mix of peat and fine sand). Sprinkle the collected spores thinly over the surface. Do not cover them with mix.
3. Maintain Humidity and Light: Cover the container with clear plastic wrap or a transparent lid to maintain very high humidity. Place it in a warm location with bright, indirect light (avoid direct sun).
4. Germination: Keep the mix consistently moist by misting or watering from the bottom. Germination can take several weeks to many months. First, a green, moss-like layer (the prothalli or gametophytes) will form. Tiny fern fronds (sporophytes) will eventually emerge from these.
5. Transplant: Once the young ferns are large enough to handle, carefully transplant them into individual small pots.

Pests That May Affect Rabbit's Foot Ferns

While relatively resilient, Rabbit’s Foot Ferns can occasionally attract common houseplant pests, especially if stressed by poor growing conditions.

• Spider Mites: These tiny pests thrive in dry conditions and can cause stippling on fronds and fine webbing. Increased humidity can help deter them.
• Mealybugs: Look for white, cottony masses on fronds and where they meet the rhizomes.
• Scale Insects: Appear as small, brown, immobile bumps on fronds and rhizomes, sucking plant sap.
• Fungus Gnats: If the soil is kept too consistently wet, these small flying insects may appear. Their larvae live in the soil and can damage roots.

Outdoor Pest Concerns

Troubleshooting Rabbit's Foot Fern Issues

Most problems with Rabbit’s Foot Ferns arise from incorrect watering, low humidity, or improper light.

• Brown, Crispy Edges on Fronds: This is the most common issue and almost always indicates low humidity. It can also be caused by underwatering or exposure to direct sun.
• Yellowing Leaves (Fronds): Can be caused by overwatering (leading to root/rhizome rot), underwatering, or sometimes natural aging of older fronds. Check soil moisture and rhizome health.
• Root Rot / Rhizome Rot: Occurs if the rhizomes are buried, the soil is kept too wet, or drainage is poor. Rhizomes will become mushy and dark. This is often fatal.
• Stunted Growth: May result from insufficient light, lack of nutrients (though they are light feeders), or being severely root-bound (though they tolerate it to some extent).
• Pale or Faded Leaves: Often a sign of too much direct light or, conversely, very low light conditions.
• Leaf Drop (Frond Drop): Significant frond drop can be due to severe stress from underwatering, overwatering, sudden temperature changes, or pest infestation.
• Fungal or Bacterial Disease (Leaf Spots): Less common, but can occur with poor air circulation and overly wet foliage. Ensure rhizomes are not buried and foliage can dry.

Showcasing Your Fern

The unique, furry rhizomes are the star attraction of the Rabbit’s Foot Fern, so display methods should highlight them.

• Hanging Baskets: This is the classic and perhaps best way to display them, allowing the rhizomes to creep over the edges and cascade down, with fronds arching gracefully.
• Shallow, Wide Pots: A shallow pot allows more surface area for the rhizomes to spread.
• Mounted: Being epiphytic, they can be mounted on pieces of cork bark, driftwood, or in kokedama balls. The rhizomes will cling and spread over the mount. This requires more frequent misting.
• Pedestals or Plant Stands: Elevating the fern allows a better view of its creeping rhizomes.
• Terrariums (Large): In a large, open terrarium, the high humidity can be beneficial, but ensure good air circulation to prevent rot.

Group with other humidity-loving plants, but give it space for its rhizomes to be seen.

Expert Advice for Thriving Ferns

• Prioritize Rhizome Health: Never bury the furry rhizomes under soil; they need air circulation and to be on the surface to absorb moisture.
• Humidity is Key: Consistently high humidity is crucial. If frond tips brown, low humidity is the likely culprit.
• Airy Potting Mix: Use an orchid-like mix that provides excellent drainage and aeration.
• Gentle Watering: Water the soil when the top inch is dry, and mist the rhizomes regularly. Avoid waterlogging.
• Bright, Filtered Light: Mimic its natural understory habitat. No direct, harsh sun.
• Avoid Cold Drafts: They are sensitive to sudden temperature changes.
• Go Easy on Fertilizer: Feed sparingly with diluted fertilizer only during the growing season.
• Rotate for Even Growth: If light is directional, rotate the plant occasionally.

Enjoying Your Rabbit's Foot Fern

The Rabbit’s Foot Fern is a truly unique and captivating plant that adds a touch of whimsical charm and lush greenery to any indoor collection. Its furry, creeping rhizomes are a constant source of fascination. While it requires attention to its specific needs for high humidity and careful watering of its surface rhizomes, the reward is a beautiful, distinctive fern that can thrive for many years.

By providing bright indirect light, an airy potting medium, consistent moisture without waterlogging, and, most importantly, high humidity, you can successfully cultivate this Fijian native. Remember to showcase its star feature—the “feet”—in a hanging basket or shallow pot. With the care outlined in this guide, your Rabbit’s Foot Fern will be a delightful and long-lasting companion.

Why are the tips of my Rabbit's Foot Fern turning brown and crispy?

How often should I water my Rabbit's Foot Fern?

Can I bury the fuzzy rhizomes of my Rabbit's Foot Fern?

Is Rabbit's Foot Fern safe for pets?

How do I propagate a Rabbit's Foot Fern?

What kind of pot is best for a Rabbit's Foot Fern?