Does Rabbit Foot Fern Like To Be Root Bound?

Does Rabbit Foot Fern Like To Be Root Bound?

This is a common question among those who would like to grow their plants and maintain healthy growth.

Although it might seem easy to just let the plant have its way, many people believe that it’s actually good for the plant to be placed in a pot or on some other container because otherwise, the root rot may get too extensive and cause wrecking balls.

Rabbit foot fern can survive being root bound with minimal issues if you give it plenty of water, sunlight and nutrients.

Many “footed” ferns generate fuzzy rhizomes that grow outside of the container.

These are often cultivated as houseplants.

Rabbit’s foot fern tolerates being pot bound, however it should be given new soil every couple of years. With all of the small feet clinging around the original pot, repotting can be difficult.

How do you take care of a white rabbit foot fern?

The fuzzy rhizomes that grow on top of the soil and resemble a rabbit’s foot give origin to the plant’s name, rabbit’s foot fern. Rhizomes typically grow over the side of the container, adding depth to the plant.

Rhizomes gather moisture and nutrients as they crawl through damp soil, making them both practical and appealing. Growing a rabbit’s foot fern houseplant in a hanging pot highlights the fluffy rhizomes.

Rhizomes may grow rather long and take on a spider-like appearance over time. However, never bury the rhizomes in the soil since this encourages decomposition.

Rabbit’s Foot Fern Care As with any houseplant, care for rabbit’s foot fern requires providing adequate light, keeping optimal hydration and temperature, and fertilizing on a regular basis.

Even with the greatest care, parts of the elder fronds may be lost from time to time. This is completely natural and does not indicate that you have done anything wrong.

Rabbit’s foot ferns like strong but indirect sunlight, such as that found near an east-facing window.

They like temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-24 degrees Celsius) during the day and somewhat cooler temps at night.

Water the plants gently but regularly to keep the soil surface moist.

Misting the surface rhizomes on a daily basis helps to protect them from drying out. Your rabbit’s foot fern care should also include watering the plant every two weeks with a half-strength liquid houseplant fertilizer.

Rabbit’s foot ferns require repotting every two years, and the optimum time to do it is in the spring.

Use half-and-half potting soil and sand to create a great substrate for rabbit’s foot ferns. This is a fantastic time to divide huge plants.

Is rabbit foot fern an epiphyte?

The white rabbit’s foot fern is an epiphyte that spreads by rhizomes.

Many ferns in the white rabbit’s foot fern family are epiphytic, meaning they grow on other plants rather than in soil.

Our white rabbit’s foot fern grows right on the ground. Can you notice the rabbit’s foot fern’s furry-looking root-like structures developing there? Make contact with them!

They should resemble a soft rabbit’s foot.

These structures are really plant rhizomes.

The rhizomes are most likely “furry” to assist channel water to the fern when it is needed and to protect the fern from excess water.

Is rabbit foot fern toxic to dogs?

A rabbit’s foot fern may be a suitable choice for your household if you have pets or small children.

Rabbit’s foot fern has no chemicals in its leaves, rhizomes, or roots. As a result, it is absolutely harmless.

Rabbit’s foot fern, unlike many houseplants, including certain Ficus types, does not induce adverse responses in humans or pets.

As a result, it is a safe addition to any house, and according to the ASPCA, rabbit foot fern is also non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Should I mist my rabbit foot fern?

For the optimum growth, spray the fern twice a week. If you’re not sure when to water your fronds, spray them twice a week.

It is crucial to choose the right planter. Because the rhizomes of this type of foot fern absorb a lot of moisture.

A rabbit foot fern should be misted several times each week for optimal growth. It has to be moisturized every few days to be healthy.

Because its rhizomes are more porous than those of other weeds, it may be easily eradicated by high-frequency misting.

Can rabbit foot fern live outside?

The rabbit foot fern (Davallia fejeensis), a Fijian endemic, gets its name from the rhizomes that grow above ground and resemble a good luck charm.

In the wild, the plant’s fluffy rhizomes cling to trees.

Outside in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 through 12, the plant may also be cultivated as a houseplant in milder regions.

Your rabbit foot fern will thrive for years if properly cared for and maintained.

Why is my rabbit foot fern shriveling?

Rabbit’s foot ferns, botanically known as Davallia fejeensis fronds, have lighter, more open leaf than its cousins, deer’s foot ferns (D. canariensis) and squirrel’s foot ferns (D. trichomanoides).

Because light foliage does not retain moisture as effectively as dense foliage, the plants require frequent watering and the occasional shower to keep from drying out.

Chemicals have a strong effect on the rabbit’s foot fern plant. On the plant, avoid applying leaf shine treatments and pesticides.

A mild shower maintains the fronds clean and fresh, as well as removing many of the insects that feed on the leaves.

Can you propagate a rabbit foot fern?

Propagation of the rabbit foot fern is simple. Fresh plants can be started in the summer or spring.

A mature rabbit foot fern’s rhizomes should be divided. This is easy since they produce a vast number of them as they develop.

Take special precautions during dividing to keep the stems and roots connected to the new plant.

Place your split rhizome in a new sterile soil container. Any high-quality organic potting mix or conventional houseplant potting mix can be used as the soil.

Because rabbit fit fern plant roots can’t hold a lot of water, take careful while watering new plants. Don’t go too far into the roots.

These rhizomes flourish when planted in fresh, damp, yet shallow soil. The new plants will take a few weeks to establish a robust root system in their new containers, but once they do, they will look stunning.

Rabbit foot ferns are both decorative and useful plants. The roots of this furry-looking rhizome absorb both moisture and nutrients as it spreads through the ground.

This unusual plant may be displayed in a tiny pot on your table or in a hanging planter.

How do you repot an overgrown rabbit foot fern?

If you’re making a hanging planter, go with a lightweight container.

The container should be somewhat larger than the plant’s base in size.

These ferns thrive in crowds. The idea is to remove the fern from the present pot. If the plant is in a cheap nursery container, you can chop it out to free it.

Otherwise, carefully probe around the interior of the container with a narrow planting tool to loosen the dirt.

Outside roots may sprout on the bottom of the pot. Loosen and, if required, cut off any that have wrapped around the drainage openings.

Don’t worry, there are still enough roots to keep the plant alive, and it won’t harm the fern.

Use a potting mix that has little to no dirt, such as two parts peat, one part soil, and one part sand or perlite.

If the fern has grown too huge, you may want to divide it. Using a sharp, clean knife, cut it into up to four portions.

Plant in fresh soil, with the rhizomes balanced around the pot’s edge. Water thoroughly.

Is rabbit foot fern indoor plant?

It is endemic to Fiji and belongs to the Davalliaceae family. Rabbit Foots Fern is a hardy fern that can grow both indoors and outdoors.

It develops slowly yet survives for a very long period. The term Rabbits Foot comes from the soft fuzzy rhizomes that creep across the soil surface.

They have lacy, delicately divided leaves in shades ranging from light to dark green.

Can you trim rabbit foot fern?

Trim these ferns in late winter before the fresh spring growth starts. Wipe your clippers down with a towel soaked in denatured alcohol.

Remove any dead or diseased fronds using the clippers. Remove them from the bottom. Look for any dry or broken frond tips and remove them as well.

Trimmings should be cleaned up and disposed of as soon as possible. If the fronds were damaged or malformed, package them and throw them; do not compost infected fronds.

Can you use neem oil on rabbit foot fern?

Rabbit foot fern are subject to typical indoor plant pests such as aphids, mealybug, fungus gnats and white fly. As soon as you see a pest, identify it and try to eliminate it personally if feasible.

If the infestation is severe, treat it on a regular basis using a dilute solution of Neem Oil.

However, do not dredge the plant with insecticide since their fronds do not tolerate being covered in oil.

How big does a rabbit foot fern grow?

Rabbit Foot Ferns grow well in partial shade, however it can also survive in full sun. They prefer moist but well-drained soil and consistently moist, somewhat acidic conditions.

The fuzzy rhizomes that hang over the side of the container, however, are the major appeal of this plant.

These light-brown, creeping rhizomes have hairs that resemble a rabbit’s foot.

Because they may grow to be 2 feet (60 cm) long, it’s best to grow them in a hanging basket.

How do I save my rabbit foot fern?

Keep in mind that ferns are usually planted as individual plants, and these require less care than other houseplants.

If you’re trying to save a rabbit foot fern, you may be having a difficult time. Fungus, bacteria and insects can all cause problems for your plant.

Because of its organic material, your best bet is to repot it into fresh potting soil.

Water the plants softly but frequently to keep the soil surface wet. Misting the surface rhizomes on a daily basis helps to protect them from drying out.

Your rabbit’s foot fern care should also involve watering the plant every two weeks with a liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted half strength.

What is the ideal temperature for Rabbit Foot Fern?

Fiji is home to the rabbit foot fern (Davallia fejeensis). It may be grown outdoors in warm locations (USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11), although it is most often cultivated inside.

Maintain a temperature range of 60–75 °F (16–24 °C). Indoors, the rabbit foot fern will grow at warm conditions.

If the temperature falls below 60 °F (16 °C), inspect the plant before watering and water only until the soil is dry to the touch.

If the temperature climbs over 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius), you may need to water the plant more often.