Rabbit's foot fern care guide

The rabbit’s foot fern has lacy, bright green fronds and fuzzy, tan rhizomes that creep over the edge of the pot. The rhizomes look like little furry feet. It is one of the easiest ferns to grow indoors. It handles average room air better than most ferns, and it is safe for cats and dogs.

Light

Give it bright indirect light. An east window is ideal. A spot a few steps back from a south or west window works too.

Hot direct sun scorches the fronds. In low light, it grows thin and sparse.

Water

Water when the top 2 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Water the soil, not the furry feet. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer. In winter, it needs water less often.

The rhizomes store some water, so it handles a missed watering better than most ferns. Soggy soil rots the rhizomes. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a loose mix of houseplant soil and orchid bark. Its roots need air.

Use a shallow, wide pot or a hanging basket. The rhizomes grow sideways and spill over the edge. That is part of its charm.

Never bury the furry rhizomes. Keep them on top of the soil. Buried rhizomes rot.

Repot every two years in spring, or when the rhizomes cover the pot. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Average room air is fine. It grows fuller with more humidity. Keep it away from heat vents.

Keep it between 16 and 24°C (60 and 75°F), and above 10°C (50°F).

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter.

Pruning

Cut brown or yellow fronds off at the rhizome. Trim rhizomes that wander too far.

Some fronds may die back in winter. New ones grow in spring.

Propagation

Cut a piece of rhizome 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) long, with at least one frond or growing tip. Lay it on top of moist mix. Pin it in place with a bent paper clip. Keep the mix moist and the pot in bright indirect light. Roots form in four to six weeks.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Brown, crispy fronds	Dry soil, dry air, or too much sun
Yellow fronds and soggy soil	Too much water
Soft, mushy rhizomes	Rot from wet or buried rhizomes
Shriveled rhizomes	Thirst
Fronds die back in winter	Normal. New ones grow in spring.
Thin, sparse growth	Not enough light

Pests

Scale and mealybugs are the most common pests. They hide on the rhizomes and under the fronds. Dab them with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists rabbit’s foot fern as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Cats may still like to bat at the furry feet.

Varieties

• Rabbit’s foot fern, Davallia solida var. fejeensis, has fine, lacy fronds and tan, furry rhizomes. It is the one most stores sell.
• Squirrel’s foot fern, Davallia trichomanoides, has darker rhizomes and finer fronds.
• White rabbit’s foot fern, Humata tyermanii, has white, furry rhizomes and smaller fronds.