The White Rabbit’s Foot Fern (Davallia canariensis) is a captivating houseplant. Its common name comes from its fuzzy, creeping rhizomes that spill over the pot’s edge, resembling a rabbit’s foot. This unique feature, combined with its delicate, lacy fronds, makes it a favored choice among plant enthusiasts. Native to Macaronesia and the Iberian Peninsula, including the Canary Islands, this fern thrives in humid environments, often growing epiphytically on tree trunks or within rock crevices.
White Rabbit’s Foot Fern Care
Light Requirements
The White Rabbit’s Foot Fern thrives in bright, indirect light. An east or north-facing window is ideal, providing ample light without harsh direct sun. Too much direct sunlight can scorch fronds, causing discoloration. Conversely, insufficient light may result in sparse growth and a less vibrant appearance.
Watering Needs
Maintain consistent soil moisture for the White Rabbit’s Foot Fern, but avoid waterlogging. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Bottom watering is effective, ensuring thorough soil absorption without excessively wetting exposed rhizomes. Using room-temperature water, ideally non-calcareous like rainwater or distilled water, helps avoid mineral buildup.
Humidity and Temperature
Given its tropical origins, the White Rabbit’s Foot Fern thrives in high humidity. Low humidity can cause frond tips to brown and crisp. To increase humidity, place the plant on a pebble tray, use a room humidifier, or group it with other plants to create a localized humid microclimate. The fern prefers moderate temperatures, ranging between 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C), and should be protected from cold drafts or extreme heat fluctuations.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining, airy potting mix rich in organic matter is suitable for the White Rabbit’s Foot Fern. A blend of peat moss, perlite, and pine bark fines mimics its natural growing conditions, allowing for good aeration while retaining some moisture. Proper drainage holes in the pot are important to prevent water accumulation. Ferns do not require frequent repotting and often prefer being slightly root-bound. Repotting may be necessary every couple of years, ideally in spring, when the plant outgrows its container.
Fertilization
The White Rabbit’s Foot Fern is not a heavy feeder and is sensitive to over-fertilization. During its active growing season (spring through summer), apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength every two to four weeks. Reduce or withhold fertilization entirely during fall and winter when growth slows.
Propagating White Rabbit’s Foot Fern
Propagating the White Rabbit’s Foot Fern is done through rhizome division. This method creates new plants from an established one. The best time for this is in spring when the plant emerges from dormancy or during repotting.
Carefully remove the fern from its pot, gently loosening soil around the rhizomes. Identify a section of fuzzy rhizome with at least one or two fronds attached. Using a clean, sharp knife or sterile pruning shears, make a clean cut to separate this section from the main plant, ensuring it has some roots.
Prepare a new pot with a suitable well-draining potting mix. Place the separated rhizome section on the soil surface, not buried, as rhizomes prefer to grow exposed. You can gently pin the rhizome to the soil surface with a bent wire or hairpin to encourage rooting.
Maintain high humidity around the newly potted division (e.g., by placing it in a clear plastic bag or mini-greenhouse) and keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. While propagating from spores is possible, it is considerably more challenging and less common for home growers.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Browning or crisping leaves often indicate insufficient humidity, a frequent issue in dry indoor environments. Underwatering can also contribute. Increase ambient humidity through misting, pebble trays, or humidifiers, and ensure consistent soil moisture to alleviate this problem.
Yellowing leaves may signal overwatering, leading to root problems. Conversely, pale fronds and stunted growth suggest a need for more light or nutrients. Adjust the watering schedule to allow topsoil to dry between waterings, and ensure the plant receives adequate, indirect light to improve vigor. If nutrient deficiency is suspected, a diluted fertilizer application during the growing season can help.
A lack of growth or sparse rhizomes links to inadequate light or humidity. Ensure the fern is placed in an area with bright, indirect light and consistent humidity to encourage healthier rhizome development and growth. Common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects can affect White Rabbit’s Foot Ferns. Regular inspection helps early detection. For treatment, non-chemical options like wiping pests off with a damp cloth or using insecticidal soap are typically effective and safer.