Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis) Care Indoors; Watering, Soil, Propagation, Problems

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Davallia fejeensis (Rabbit's Foot Fern) thrives in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.

Rabbit's Foot Fern is among popular Fern varieties and is grown for its furry, brown and yellow rhizomes which look like a rabbit's foot, hence the common name, 'Rabbit's Foot Fern'.

The rhizomes absorb moisture and nutients and grow over the edge of the pot making it ideal for a hanging basket, a pedestal or a tabletop where the rhizomes can hang freely for maximum display.

The fronds are finely divided, light to dark green in color and look like carrot tops. These characteristics place this fern among favored plants for an office space where it will create a great first impression.

On account of its love for warm and humid conditions, Davallia fejeensis is among popular plants for a bathroom as the atmosphere remains warm and moist.

Botanical name: Davallia fejeensis
Family: Davalliaceae
Common name: Rabbit's Foot Fern

Origin

Davallia fejeensis are native to the Fiji Islands in Oceania where they are found growing on trees or in between rocks.

Size

Rabbit's Foot Fern grows to a height of about 2 feet and about 2 feet wide.

Related Species

Davallia fejeensis is related to Davallia canariensis (Hare's Foot Fern), Davallia bullata (Squirrel's Foot Fern) and Davallia trichomanoides (Black Rabbit's Foot Fern).

Is Davallia fejeensis pet-friendly?

Yes. Davallia fejeensis is non-toxic to humans and pets as stated by ASPCA. Rabbit's Foot Fern are not toxic to cats, dogs and other pets. They are safe to grow in the home.

Where to Buy

Are you looking to add Rabbit's Foot Fern to your plant collection? You may obtain these plant online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

How to Care for Davallia fejeensis Indoors

To care for Davallia fejeensis indoors, provide bright indirect light (filtered light), warmth of 15-24⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Rabbit's Foot Fern requires timely repotting as overcrowding can result in wilting and eventual death of the fern. Pruning is necessary to keep it neat as well as reduce pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water your Davallia fejeensis liberally during the growing season until water drips through the drainage hole. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent rotting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.

Decrease watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and excessive leaf drop.

Use water that is at room temperature as consistently watering with cold water can result in stunted growth and leaf loss. Ensure the water is free of chlorine to avoid browning of leaf edges.

Maintain the rhizomes moist by daily misting. Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and death of the plant.

Light Requirements

Rabbit's Foot Fern grows best in bright indirect light of about 4-6 hours; place it next to a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it may scorch the fronds.

Too little light may lead to a pale or leggy plant. Therefore, move the fern to a brighter spot or use grow lights if natural light is not adequate.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the fern receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent unbalanced growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Rabbit's Foot Fern prospers in a warmth of 15-24⁰C. Keep it away from drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature which can lead to reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing, leaf drop and brown leaf tips.

Davallia fejeensis prefers a humidity of 60-70%. Too low humidity can result in stunted growth, yellowing, and brown leaf tips and edges. To elevate humidity, mist the rhizomes more frequently, use a cool mist humidifier or set the pot on a wet pebble tray.

You may also grow the fern in a closed terrarium where a high humidity can be maintained or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist areas in the home.

Fertilizer

Feed Rabbit's Foot Fern with a liquid, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing period to promote a lush growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is slowed at this time, thus, the plant does not need it.

Regularly flush out accumulated chemicals and salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole. Repeat the process several times to make sure that most of the salts are leached out. Excess salts in the soil can result in brown and yellow leaves.

Potting Soil

Davallia fejeensis soil should be a light, airy mix that is rich in organic matter to prevent sogginess while providing the nutrients needed. A combination of 2 parts potting soil and 1 part perlite (for drainage) is perfect for this fern.

Repotting

Repot Davallia fejeensis every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season. Use a pot that is 1 size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has drainage a hole to prevent rotting and eventual plant death.

The large fern can be divided into several sections during repotting and these sections can be potted individually to propagate new ferns. Take care not bury the rhizomes under the soil as it can lead to rotting. Check out these ceramic pots on Amazon.

Pruning

Remove dead and damaged fronds from Rabbit's Foot Fern. As the fern ages, the older fronds turn brown. Cut them off at the base to maintain the plant looking neat and discourage pest and disease infestations.

Davallia fejeensis Propagation

Rabbit's Foot Fern is propagated by dividing the rhizomes at the beginning of the growing season, when in active growth for faster establishment.

1. Rabbit's Foot Fern propagation by rhizome divison in soil

Requirements

• Hand gloves to protect your hands


• Clean, sharp pair of scissors or knife


• 6-10 inches pots


• Well-drained, potting medium


• Watering can and clean water

Davallia fejeensis propagation by rhizome divison in soil

1. Water the Fern thoroughly one day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment as a well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.


2. Slip the plant out of its pot, remove excess soil, disentangle the roots and cut away any dead roots.


3. With a clean, sharp pair of scissors or knife, carefully divide the rhizome into several sections. Ensure each section has adequate roots to hasten rooting.


4. Select a 6 or 8 inches pot that has a drainage hole to prevent rotting.


5. Fill the pot with well-drained, potting soil and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.


6. Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base. Take care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.


7. Liberally wet the soil until water drips through the drainage hole.


8. Place the pot in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight, until new growth emerges on the sections.


9. Maintain the soil moist until the new fern are well established.


10. When well established, repot the new fern into a pot 1 size larger in well-drained soil, after which you can begin routine care.

2. Rabbit's Foot Fern propagation by rhizome division in water

Requirements

• Hand gloves to protect your hands


• Clean, sharp pair of scissors or knife


• Jar of plain water or a propagation station


• Well-drained, potting Mix


• Watering can and clean water


• Small pots about 8-10 inches

Davallia fejeensis propagation by rhizome division in water

1. Water the fern thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.


2. Slip the plant out of its pot, remove excess soil, thoroughly wash the roots with plenty of water, disentangle the roots and cut away any dead roots.
3. 
   
4. With a clean, sharp pair of scissors or knife, carefully divide the rhizome into several sections. Ensure each section has adequate roots to encourage establishment.


5. Place each division in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station. Ensure the root base is well submerged but keep the foliage above the water surface.


6. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching.


7. Change the water every 5-7 days to keep it fresh and prevent fungal growth.


8. When a good amount of new roots have formed, transfer the sections into moist, well-draining soil. Use pots that are at least 1 inch wider than the base of the rooted sections.


9. Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


10. Maintain the soil moist until the new plants are well established.


11. Transfer the new Ferns into pots 1 size larger, after which you can begin routine care.

Rabbit's Foot Fern Problems & Solutions

Davallia fejeensis problems are yellow leaves, leaf drop, wilting leaves, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Davallia fejeensis are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress or aging.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have sufficient light in your home.

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period.

Soggy soil: Use free-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot surfaces, radiators, hot air vents, windy doors and windows among others.

Aging: This is a natural process; as the lower leaves mature, they turn yellow, brown and eventually drop.

Leaf drop

Leaf drop on Davallia fejeensis is caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, dry air, temperature stress, pest infestations or aging.

How to fix it

Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

Dry air: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like open doors, radiators, AC units, hot air vents among others. Use water that is at room temperature to avoid cold shock.

Pest infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and take timely control measures.

Aging: This is a natural process. As the lower leaves mature, they turn yellow, brown and eventually drop off.

Wilting leaves

Wilting leaves on Rabbit's Foot Fern are caused by inconsistent watering, drafts, pest infestaions or being pot-bound.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry but never allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period.

Drafts: Keep the fern away from drafty situations to prevent extreme temperatures.

Pests infestations: Inspect the fern regularly for these pests and carry out timely control measures.

Being pot-bound: Repot the fern into a larger pot or divide it up for more plants.

Brown leaf tips

Brown leaf tips on Davallia fejeensis are caused by dry air, salts buildup or underwatering.

How to fix it

Dry air: To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.

Salts buildup: Leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.

Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Pests

Common pests of Rabbit's Foot Fern are mealy bugs, spider mites and scale insects which are prevalent in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected fern to avoid spread to other plants.


2. Treat the infested fern with a horticultural oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.


3. Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.


4. Keep the plant well pruned to depress the pest infestations.


5. Group the plants together or set the pot on a wet pebble tray to increase humidity.

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