If you love the lacey look of ferns but find them hard to grow due to low humidity in the house, try growing Rabbit's Foot Fern. It's much less temperamental than other ferns and equally beautiful.
There's something about the lacey foliage of ferns that I really like. I have a maidenhair fern and it's gorgeous. However, it's finicky, and needs to be watered often when it's inside during the winter. I also have a staghorn fern that's not as picky but it's doesn't look as good as it could in my dry home environment.
One fern that does seem to be happy indoors is the Rabbit's Foot Fern, Davallia fejeensis. Growing a rabbit's foot fern is pretty easy and not only can you enjoy the beautiful lacey fronds, but you also get the added bonus of their unique furry rhizomes that hang over the pot.
Growing Rabbit's Foot Ferns
Davallia fejeensis aka Rabbit's Foot Fern, is native to Fiji so if you live in a warm climate plant hardiness zone zones 10 - 11 then you can grow this fern outdoors all year long. However, my zone 6 garden would surely kill this beauty come winter. So I grow it as a houseplant.
Caring for Rabbit's Foot Ferns
| Light | Bright indirect sunlight near an east or west facing window. Too much sun will scorch the leaves. |
| Water | Weekly thorough watering. Make sure the soil drains well. Do not let it sit in the water. |
| Temperature | This plant grows well in normal room temperatures around 70 degrees F. |
| Feeding | Give your fern a light all-purpose fertilizer diluted with water once every other month. However, if it was potted with a slow-release fertilizer you can wait a few months before adding more. |
Here's what my fern looked like not too long after I purchased it. I had it growing in a hand crafted woven planter for a little extra decoration.
Now it's grown four times as large with lots of lovely deep green foliage and has been repotted into a nice clay pot.
The root system still looks good but it was beginning to grow out of the pot. You can see all the many rhizomes (resembling a rabbit's foot) and just how long they are now.
The furry rhizomes actually collect moisture from the air like epiphytes.
Note: Keep the furry rhizomes outside the pot. If you try to put them inside they will rot.
New growth on ferns is so fascinating. If you look in the middle you can see a darker new frond growing and one on the left that is just beginning to unfurl.
So if you like ferns but haven't had luck with maidenhair, button or other ferns give rabbit's foot fern a try. You'll be glad you did.
More Fun Houseplants
Catt
Do you recommend growing a new rabbit foot fern in a wire basket with soil and moss?
My dad and step mom had a gigantic fern but have both passed so I can’t ask them how to start mine. Do you have any suggestions? I have 3 new plants that I purchased from a store. They are in plastic containers right now and I need to replant soon.
Patti Estep
Catt, do you mean lining a wire basket with moss and then adding soil before planting? I haven't done this with rabbit's foot fern but I do think it could work and would be beautiful.
Gail
I’ve been thinking about a rabbits foot fern for awhile.They are so pretty. Reading your article was a large help. Thank you. Quick question, can they be split/separated easily. The one I’ve been looking at is kinda large maybe 8” pot I know that’s not huge but I’d like 2 smaller ones. It’s that possible or will it really not be good for the plant. Thanks for your help, Gail
Patti Estep
Gail, I have not propagated my fern yet. However, if it's big enough I would guess that you could cut it with a clean sharp knife and separate it into two plants. Not 100% sure though so you may want to do some research.
Angela
Hi there,
I enjoyed reading your article...I have a question about my rabbit foot fern. I live in WA where it's usually very cold at night, around 50F and below. I don't want a plant inside the house because my space isn't convenient for plants, and my cats tend to knock them over, or dig at the soil. How can I keep this plant outside and properly care for it? Thank you!
Patti Estep
Angela, I'm not sure if the fern would survive outdoors in your area. You could keep it outdoors in the summer when it's warm but it is a zone 10 plant. Thats very warm, such as southern Florida, southern California or Hawaii. Maybe you could hang it in a window where the cats can't get to it?
Sandy
Enjoyed reading your post on rabbit foot ferns. I have one given to me that’s looking pretty good. You are right about other ferns being difficult to grow inside and I have problem with Ivy inside also.