The carrot fern (Davallia tyermanii or Davallia canariensis) is a unique and attractive houseplant. Its most distinctive feature is its fuzzy, creeping rhizomes, which resemble animal feet and give rise to common names like rabbit’s foot fern. This fascinating plant offers a visually appealing addition to indoor spaces, making it a popular choice for plant enthusiasts due to its manageable care.
Understanding the Carrot Fern
The carrot fern belongs to the Davallia genus, known for its distinctive growth habit. Its furry rhizomes are modified stems that grow along the soil surface, often extending over the pot’s sides. Delicate, lacy fronds emerge from these creeping rhizomes. In its natural habitat, this fern often grows epiphytically on trees or lithophytically on rocks, attaching itself to surfaces rather than rooting directly in the ground.
Caring for Your Carrot Fern
Caring for a carrot fern involves understanding its preferences for light, water, humidity, and proper potting to ensure its healthy growth indoors. Providing the right environment will allow its unique features to flourish.
Light
Carrot ferns thrive in bright, indirect light conditions. Placing them near an east or north-facing window, or a south/west-facing window with sheer curtains, provides ideal illumination without direct sun exposure. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the delicate fronds, leading to brown, crispy edges. Conversely, insufficient light will result in sparse growth and a lack of vigor, causing the fronds to appear pale and leggy.
Water
Maintaining consistent moisture in the soil is important for carrot ferns, though they do not tolerate waterlogging. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch, allowing excess water to drain completely from the bottom of the pot. Avoid letting the pot sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot. It is also beneficial to mist or gently pour water over the surface rhizomes to keep them hydrated, as they absorb moisture directly from the air and environment.
Humidity
High humidity levels are beneficial for carrot ferns, mirroring their native tropical environments. Low humidity can cause the frond tips to brown and become crispy. To increase ambient moisture, regularly mist the fronds and rhizomes with room-temperature water. Placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, ensuring the pot does not sit directly in the water, can also help. Utilizing a room humidifier near the plant offers another effective method for maintaining consistent humidity.
Soil and Potting
An ideal potting mix for a carrot fern should be well-draining and airy, mimicking its natural growing conditions. A good blend typically includes components like peat moss, perlite, and bark, or a specialized orchid mix. When potting or repotting, it is important to ensure the furry rhizomes remain on top of the soil surface, as burying them can lead to rot. Repotting is generally needed every two to three years, or when the fern becomes root-bound, to refresh the growing medium and provide more space.
Fertilizing
Carrot ferns have modest nutrient requirements and do not need frequent fertilization. During the active growing season, typically spring and summer, feed the plant once a month or every other month. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength, as full-strength solutions can be too harsh for their sensitive roots. Reduce or cease fertilization entirely during the fall and winter months when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.
Common Issues and Solutions
Carrot ferns are generally resilient, but they can exhibit signs of distress if their environmental needs are not met. Browning frond tips often indicate low humidity or inconsistent watering, which can be remedied by increasing misting or establishing a regular watering schedule. Yellowing fronds may signal overwatering, where the soil remains too wet, or occasionally a nutrient deficiency, suggesting a need for proper drainage or a light feeding. While less common, pests such as spider mites or scale insects can sometimes affect carrot ferns. These can be identified by small webs or bumps on the fronds and treated by gently wiping the affected areas with a damp cloth or applying a diluted insecticidal soap.
Propagating Your Carrot Fern
Propagating a carrot fern is most effectively achieved through rhizome division, a straightforward process. Carefully remove the fern from its pot and gently separate a section of rhizome with at least a few healthy fronds attached. Plant this section shallowly into a fresh pot with a well-draining potting mix, ensuring the furry rhizome remains exposed on the soil surface. Providing high humidity around the newly potted division, perhaps by placing it in a clear plastic bag or terrarium for a few weeks, will aid establishment and encourage new growth. While propagation from spores is botanically possible, it is a considerably more challenging method not typically undertaken by casual enthusiasts.