Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Davallia canariensis or Rabbit's Foot Fern

The genus Davallia, family Davalliaceae, includes 40 species of ferns native to the Mediterranean region, tropical Asia, Australia, the Canary Islands, Malaysia and Polynesia. Some species are: Davallia canariensis, Davallia mariesii, Davallia fejeensis.

Common names: Rabbit's Foot Fern, Deers foot fern, Hare's-foot fern. This species is native to the west Mediterranean and the Atlantic Islands.

They are creeping ferns with rhizomatous and scaly roots that can be epiphytes or grow on the ground. The fronds (leaves) are deep green and triangular in shape. They reach 50 cm (1.64 feet) high. They do not produce flowers.

They are easy to grow plants that are used as indoor and greenhouse plants.

Davallia canariensis needs a semi-shaded or illuminated exposure but without ever receiving direct sunlight. The temperature should not drop below 10 ºC (50 ºF).

The soil must be very well drained and compact.

Water moderately in spring and summer (without the substrate drying out completely); the leaves should be sprayed periodically with lime-free water. The rest of the year reduce irrigation. The best way to water these ferns (when the soil begins to dry out) is to submerge the pot in water and drain it well.

Prune the dried fronds.

Fertilize every 25 days with liquid fertilizer in spring and summer.

The main danger for these plants is drought; the plant itself indicates that it suffers from drought when it has grayish and fallen leaves.

They propagate in winter by division of rhizomes cutting 10 cm (3.93") pieces with buds and roots that take root in peat.

Images of the indoor plant Davallia canariensis or Rabbit's Foot Fern