How to Grow, Care and Propagate Davallia fejeensis (Rabbit's Foot Fern)

Some links in this post may be affiliate links

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

Description

Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis) is grown for its furry, brown and yellow rhizomes which look like a rabbit's foot and hence the common name.

The rhizomes absorb moisture and nutients as they crawl. The fronds are finely divided, light to dark green in color and look like carrot tops. The leaflets are attached to wiry stems which grow from the rhizomes.

Davallia fejeensis is ideal for a hanging basket where the rhizomes can hang freely for maximum display. The rhizomes should not be buried under the soil to avoid rotting.

Size

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

Origin

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

Toxicity

Rabbit's Foot Ferns (Davallia fejeensis) are non-toxic to humans and pets according to ASPCA. The ferns are safe to grow indoors.

Related Species

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

Where to Buy

Rabbit's Foot Fern are available online at Etsy. Buy Davallia Ferns online from Etsy.

Davallia fejeensis Care Indoor

Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis) thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with regular feeding during the growing season.

Davallia fejeensis 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.

Light Requirements

Rabbit's Foot Fern grows best in bright, indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it may scorch the fronds.

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

Davallia fejeensis can also grow under a grow light where natural light is not adequate.

Watering

Water Rabbit's Foot Fern liberally during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil consistently.

Decrease watering during cold season as growth is minimal at this time to keep the soil slightly moist but do not let the soil dry out completely. Maintain the rhizomes moist by daily misting.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth between 15-24⁰C is ideal for Rabbit's Foot Fern. Protect the fern from draughts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as it can lead to leaf drop.

Rabbit's Foot Fern thrives under high humidity. The Fern is ideal for humid areas like the bathroom and other moist areas.

Elevate humidity for the Fern by more frequent misting of the rhizomes to keep them moist or set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out these techniques on how raise humidity for houseplants.

Rabbit's Foot Fern can also be grown in a terrarium as the high humidity it requires can be maintained inside a terrarium.

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 during the cold season as growth is reduced at this time, thus, the plant does not it.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Rabbit's Foot Fern should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.

Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal. Buy quality Potting Mix online from Etsy.

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.

Repotting

Repot Rabbit's Foot Fern 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 the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Take care not bury the rhizomes under the soil as it can lead to rotting.

The large Rabbit's Foot Fern can also be divided into several sections during repotting and these sections can be potted individually to propagate new ferns.

Propagation

Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis) propagation can be done by plant division of the rhizomes at the beginning of the growing season.

How to propagate Rabbit's Foot Fern by plant divison

Carefully take out Rabbit's Foot Fern from its pot and divide it into several sections. Ensure each section has adequate roots.

Pot these sections into individual pots and take care not to bury the rhizomes under the soil as it can lead to rotting.

Place the pots in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until the new Rabbit's Foot Ferns are well established after which routine care can begin.

Davallia fejeensis Common Problems

Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis) problems include brown leaf tips, wilting leaves, yellowing, leaf drop, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Yellowing fronds, brown leaf tips and no growth

The cause of yellowing fronds, brown tips and no new growth in Rabbit's Foot Fern is dry air.

To increase humidity mist the rhizomes more frequently to keep them moist, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

You can also grow Rabbit's Foot Fern in a terrarium as the high humidity it requires can be maintained in a terrarium.

Yellowing leaves

Soggy soil is the reason for yellowing leaves in Rabbit's Foot Fern. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.

Wilting leaves

Wilting leaves in Rabbit's Foot Fern is an indication of overcrowding in the current pot. Repot the Fern into a larger pot or divide it up for more plants. Take care not to bury the rhizomes under the soil as it can lead to rotting.

Excessive leaf drop

Leaflets drop in Rabbit's Foot Fern is indicative of too dry soil. Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season and do not allow it to dry out completely for an extended period of time.

Isolated brown and yellow leaves

Browning and yellowing in isolated areas of Rabbit's Foot Fern are as a result of excessive salts in the soil either from watering or fertilizers. Flush out the salts by repeatedly running a steady stream of water thorough the soil and avoid overfertilizing in the future.

Brown shells scattered on fronds

Brown shells scattered on the fronds of Rabbit's Foot Fern is an indication of a infestation by scales. Isolate the affected fern to avoid spread to other houseplants and treat appropriately.

Pests

Common pests in Rabbit's Foot Fern are scales and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected fern to avoid spread to other houseplants and treat it with a horticultural oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.