Crocodile ferns are epiphytic ferns named for the markings on their prolonged, lance-shaped fronds. The crisscrossed veins on their vivid inexperienced foliage resemble the scaly pores and pores and skin of a crocodile. Though they’re native to the jungles of Malaysia, crocodile ferns are widespread indoor vegetation in temperate climates.
Crocodile ferns need warmth temperatures, extreme humidity, and vivid, indirect light. That is how one can help this plant thrive in your home.
Widespread Title | Crocodile fern |
Botanical Title | Microsorum musifolium |
Family | Polypodiaceae |
Plant Kind | Herbaceous, perennial |
Mature Dimension | 2-3 ft. tall and huge |
Photo voltaic Publicity | Partial |
Soil Kind | Rich, moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | Acidic, neutral |
Hardiness Zones | 10-11 (USDA) |
Native House | Malaysia |
Crocodile Fern Care
Listed beneath are the precept care requirements for crocodile fern:
- Put in a spot with vivid, indirect light.
- Plant in a well-drained potting mix.
- Water to keep up the soil evenly moist.
- Fertilize month-to-month with diluted houseplant fertilizer.
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Delicate
Like many ferns, crocodile ferns develop most interesting with vivid, indirect light that mimics their pure habitat of forest flooring or rising as an epiphyte on tree trunks beneath the duvet.
Put this plant in a north-facing or east-facing window, or plenty of ft from a south-facing or west-facing window. Make certain it stays out of direct daylight, which could burn the leaves and damage the plant.
Soil
Plant crocodile fern in a unfastened, well-drained potting mix that holds moisture. It’s best to use customary houseplant potting mix with only a few handfuls of orchid bark added, or make your particular person mix by combining two components peat moss or coco coir, one half perlite, and one half orchid bark.
Water
Water your crocodile fern to keep up the soil evenly moist nevertheless not soggy all through the spring and summer season season. As a substitute of watering on a set schedule, usually confirm the soil moisture and water when the ground has merely begun to dry out.
Throughout the fall and winter, within the discount of on watering and allow the soil to virtually dry out sooner than watering as soon as extra.
Temperature and Humidity
Crocodile ferns need temperatures between 65°F and 75°F with a relative humidity of on the very least 50 %. Temperatures should on no account drop beneath 50°F, which is simply too chilly for this plant.
To increase the moisture inside the air spherical your crocodile fern, group it together with completely different tropical vegetation or run a small humidifier shut by.
Fertilizer
Feed crocodile fern with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half power as quickly as month-to-month inside the spring and summer season season. Start fertilizing should you first see new growth in early spring and proceed until fall. Stop fertilizing all through the chilly months.
Propagating Crocodile Fern
The best choice to propagate crocodile fern is by dividing a mature plant. The proper time to try this is in spring or summer season season all through the plant’s vigorous growth interval.
Sooner than you begin, acquire modern potting mix, small plant pots, clear pruners or scissors, and non-compulsory gardening gloves. That is how one can propagate crocodile fern.
- Take away the mature plant from its pot and have a look at the muse ball. Research the roots of the plant to find out pure divisions. Each division should have plenty of leaves hooked as much as its private healthful root system.
- Gently pull the divisions apart on the crown of the plant alongside along with your fingers. If essential, use scissors or pruners to cut apart stubborn roots.
- Fill a plant pot for each division halfway with modern potting mix. Plant each division in a pot, together with potting mix so that the soil flooring hits the equivalent place because the distinctive planting.
- Water the divisions completely and put them in a warmth place with vivid, indirect light.
- Deal with the divisions as typical. You could know they’ve established of their new pot should you see new fronds rising.
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FAQ
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Reverse to widespread notion, misting wouldn’t meaningfully elevate humidity for houseplants. To increase the humidity spherical your crocodile fern, group it together with plenty of completely different houseplants to create a microclimate or run a small humidifier shut by.
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Certain. With basic care and the proper conditions, crocodile fern is a low-maintenance houseplant.
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No. These vegetation may need some similarities in look, nevertheless they’re in a number of plant households.