Davallia canariensis, commonly known as the Rabbit’s Foot Fern, is a distinctive and popular houseplant valued for its unique appearance and graceful foliage. Its fuzzy, creeping rhizomes, which extend over the soil surface, give the plant its common name, resembling a small animal’s foot.
Understanding Davallia Canariensis
The Rabbit’s Foot Fern is characterized by thick, furry rhizomes that grow above the soil line and often cascade over container edges. These rhizomes, covered in fine brown or reddish hairs, absorb moisture from the air. Delicate, lacy fronds, typically bright, glossy green and finely divided, emerge from these rhizomes.
In its native habitat across the western Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and parts of the Iberian Peninsula, Davallia canariensis grows as an epiphyte on tree trunks and rocks or as a lithophyte. This natural tendency informs its specific indoor care requirements.
Essential Care for Your Rabbit’s Foot Fern
Light
Rabbit’s Foot Ferns thrive in bright, indirect light, mimicking their natural shaded forest environments. Placing the plant near a north or east-facing window is ideal, providing ample light without direct, intense sun exposure. Direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day, scorches delicate fronds, causing them to become pale or discolored. While the plant tolerates lower light levels, growth slows, and foliage appears less vibrant.
Watering
Consistent soil moisture is important for the Rabbit’s Foot Fern, but the soil should never be waterlogged. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry, ensuring excess water drains freely. Using lukewarm, non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or demineralized water, helps prevent mineral buildup. Overwatering leads to root rot, while allowing the plant to dry out completely results in crispy or wilting fronds.
Humidity
High humidity is important for Davallia canariensis, which thrives in moist, tropical environments. The preferred humidity range is 60% to 70%. To increase humidity, place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, ensuring the pot does not sit directly in the water. Regular misting of fronds and rhizomes, or using a room humidifier, also contributes to a humid environment. Grouping the fern with other plants creates a more humid microclimate.
Soil and Potting
The ideal potting mix for Rabbit’s Foot Ferns is well-draining, airy, and rich in organic matter. A suitable blend includes components like peat moss, perlite, and pine bark, or a mix with coco coir. This substrate supports the plant’s shallow root system and epiphytic nature. When potting, ensure the furry rhizomes rest on the soil surface rather than being buried, as burying them leads to rot. Selecting a pot with good drainage prevents water accumulation at the bottom.
Temperature and Fertilizing
Rabbit’s Foot Ferns prefer average room temperatures, thriving between 60°F and 75°F (15°C and 24°C). Protect them from temperatures below 50°F (10°C) and sudden cold drafts, which harm their growth. During the active growing season in spring and summer, fertilize the plant every 4-6 weeks. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength to avoid over-fertilization, which causes crispy fronds. Reduce or stop fertilization entirely during fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows.
Repotting and Propagation
Repotting the Rabbit’s Foot Fern is needed every two to three years, or when the plant becomes root-bound and its rhizomes outgrow the pot. The best time for repotting is during spring or early summer, as the plant enters its active growth phase. When repotting, gently remove the fern from its current container, being careful not to damage delicate rhizomes. Place it in a slightly larger pot with fresh, well-draining soil mix, ensuring the rhizomes remain on the surface.
Propagation of Davallia canariensis is achieved through rhizome division. In spring or early summer, carefully remove the plant from its pot and locate natural divisions in the rhizome cluster. Use a clean, sharp knife to separate a section with at least one or two fronds attached. Plant the separated rhizome section in its own pot, laying the rhizome on the potting mix surface, ensuring it is not buried.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Common issues often signal a need to adjust care routines. Browning leaf tips indicate insufficient humidity or a buildup of salts in the soil. Increasing ambient humidity and periodically flushing the soil helps resolve this. Yellowing fronds result from either overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiencies. Adjusting the watering schedule to ensure consistent, but not soggy, soil moisture is important.
Slow growth signals insufficient light or inadequate nutrients. Ensuring the plant receives bright, indirect light and a diluted fertilizer during the growing season promotes healthier development. Common pests like spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, and aphids affect the fern. Spider mites, which thrive in dry conditions, cause yellow spots and webbing. These pests are managed by wiping them off with a damp cloth or using horticultural oil.
Root rot, characterized by mushy roots and wilting, yellowing leaves, is a common problem caused by overwatering and poor drainage. Ensuring proper drainage and allowing the top layer of soil to dry between waterings prevents this condition.