Rabbit's Foot Fern Humata tyermanii

Water

The Rabbit's Foot Fern should be watered thoroughly until water runs out of the bottom of the pot, ensuring the soil is evenly moist but never soggy. It is crucial to let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings, which typically translates to watering once a week, although this may vary depending on the humidity and temperature of your home. If the air is particularly dry, the fern may benefit from more frequent watering. When watering, use roughly 8 to 16 ounces of water for a small to medium-sized pot, adjusting the amount as the plant and pot size increases.

Light

The Rabbit's Foot Fern thrives in bright, indirect light, which can be found a few feet away from an east or north-facing window. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can scorch the delicate fronds of the fern. In low-light conditions, growth may slow, so finding a balance with ample but diffused light is key for this plant's health.

Temperature

The Rabbit's Foot Fern prefers a temperature range between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It is vital for the health of the fern to avoid sudden temperature drops and keep it away from cold drafts and heating vents. The plant can tolerate a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit but ensuring a consistently warm environment will promote its growth.

Pruning

Pruning a Rabbit's Foot Fern involves trimming any brown or dead fronds to encourage new growth and maintain a healthy and attractive plant. Prune as needed, typically during the spring, which is the best time for tidying up the plant after the dormant winter period. Always use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make clean cuts without damaging the plant.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Rabbit's Foot Fern thrives best in a soil mix that is well-draining and rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of about 6.0 to 7.0. A recommended soil mix consists of one part peat, one part pine bark, and one part perlite or coarse sand to ensure good aeration and drainage.

Repotting

Rabbit's Foot Ferns should be repotted every two years or when the rhizomes begin to overcrowd the pot. It's important to use a slightly larger pot each time to provide enough space for the rhizomes to spread.

Humidity & Misting

Rabbit's Foot Fern prefers high humidity levels, ideally between 50% to 70%. This can be maintained by placing the plant on a humidity tray or using a room humidifier to keep the air moist around it.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright, indirect light and high humidity.

• Outdoor

  Place in shady spot with high humidity and no frost.

• Hardiness zone

  10-11 USDA

Life cycle

Commonly known as the Silver Lady Fern or Humata tyermanii, this plant begins its life cycle as a spore, which germinates to produce a prothallus, a small, photosynthetic, gametophyte generation. On the prothallus, fertilization occurs, leading to the growth of a new sporophyte fern from the zygote. The sporophyte matures, developing fronds and roots as it emerges from the prothallus. As the Silver Lady Fern grows, it forms a rosette of arching fronds that are covered with silver-white scales. The mature fern reproduces by producing spores on the undersides of its fronds in clusters called sori, completing the life cycle when these spores are released and germinate in the right conditions. Throughout its life, the fern will continue to produce new fronds and spores, repeating the cycle and gradually increasing in size.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• Propogation: The rabbit's foot fern, commonly known as Humata tyermanii, propagates most successfully through the division of its rhizomes, typically in the spring or early summer when the plant is emerging from its winter dormant period. This method involves gently removing the plant from its container and detangling the rhizomes, being careful not to damage the delicate fronds. A sharp, clean knife can be used to divide the rhizomes, ensuring that each section has at least one frond and some roots attached. These divisions can then be potted into fresh potting mix designed for ferns, which typically includes peat moss and perlite for aeration. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged, and the newly potted divisions should be placed in indirect light until they establish themselves, which you can usually notice by the growth of new fronds.