Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Cyrtomium falcatum or Japanese holly fern

The genus Cyrtomium, family Dryopteridaceae, includes 35 species of ferns native to Asia, Africa, Madagascar and the Pacific Ocean islands. Some species are: Cyrtomium falcatum, Cyrtomium taiwanianum, Cyrtomium fortunei, Cyrtomium serratum.

Common names: Japanese holly fern, House holly-fern. This species is native to eastern Asia.

They are ferns with long fronds of 60 cm (1.96 feet) in length with alternating pinnae in the shape of a diamond and bright green. On the underside of the leaves are the spores of these plants.

Japanese holly fern is used as a houseplant in hanging pots; in hot climates (Mediterranean or subtropical) it's used to form groups in understory.

Cyrtomium falcatum needs a warm, shady exposure; it does not resist temperatures below 10 ºC (50 ºF). It's important not to expose it to tobacco smoke and drafts.

The soil can be a mixture of 1/4 normal garden substrate, 1/4 coarse sand and 2/4 peat.

In summer you have to water abundantly and the humidity must be high. In autumn and winter, watering must be reduced.

House holly-fern does not need fertilizers.

Cyrtomium falcatum is sensitive to pollution (it turns yellow); in case of drought it can be attacked by mealybugs and by mites.

Japanese holly fern propagates by division or from spores sown in peat at 25 ºC (77 ºF).

Images of the indoor plant Cyrtomium falcatum or Japanese holly fern