How to Grow, Care and Propagate Davallia fejeensis (Rabbit's Foot Fern)
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Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis) flourishes in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Davallia fejeensis is among the popular fern plants grown for its furry, brown and yellow rhizomes which look like a rabbit's foot and 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. The fronds are finely divided, light to dark green in color and look like carrot tops. These characteristics place Rabbit's Foot Fern among the best plants for an office space where it will create a great first impression.
On account of its love for warm and humid conditions, Rabbit's Foot Fern is one of the best plants for the 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. It is among the best plants for hanging baskets where the rhizomes can hang freely for maximum display.
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).
Toxicity
Rabbit's Foot Ferns (Davallia fejeensis) are non-toxic to humans and pets according to ASPCA. The ferns are safe to grow indoors.
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).
Davallia fejeensis Care Indoor
Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis) thrives in bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 15-240C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, multi-purpose soil coupled with fortnightly 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.
You may grow Davallia fejeensis under grow lights where natural light is not adequate. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the fern receives light on all sides for even growth.
Watering
Water Rabbit's Foot Fern liberally during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 inches 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. Learn more on how to water indoor plants the right way.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 15-240C is ideal for Rabbit's Foot Fern. Protect it from drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as it can lead to leaf drop.
Rabbit's Foot Fern thrives in above average humidity of 60-70%. It is ideal for humid areas like a well-lit bathroom kitchen, laundry area and other moist areas.
Elevate humidity by more frequent misting of the rhizomes to keep them moist or set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Rabbit's Foot Fern may also be grown in a terrarium as the high humidity it requires can be maintained inside a terrarium. Read more on how raise humidity for houseplants.
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 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. All purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
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. Check out these ceramic pots with a saucer on Amazon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is loose and free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
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.
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