Microsorum musifolium, the crocodile fern

You won't find crocodile fern in the dark waters of Lake Placid. Microsorum musifolium is native to Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. This member of the Polypodiaceae family thrives in warm, humid environments and will feel like a fish in water in your bathroom.

How to recognize the crocodile fern Microsorum musifolium?

Microsorum musifolium is an epiphytic fern with a bushy habit. It can reach a meter in all directions, even when grown indoors.

Ferns of the Microsorum genus, such as Microsorum musifolium or microsorum punctatum, have a hairy, creeping rhizome. Very short, it is barely visible in the crocodile fern.

Shiny green foliage grows from this underground stem. The thick, wavy fronds are strongly ribbed. They are patterned like the scales of a reptile. Lanceolate, they can exceed a meter in length when humidity is sufficient. But they measure between 20 and 60 centimetres when the plant grows indoors.

Like other ferns, Microsorum musifolium produces neither flowers nor fruit. It multiplies by means of brown sori, which appear on the underside of the fronds.

The crocodile fern is not dangerous for your pets. It is not toxic if bitten or touched. It is also harmless to humans.

Our maintenance tips

Microsorum musifolium have a reputation for being easy to care for. This is true, provided they are given a high level of humidity and very regular watering.

Watering

Microsorum musifolium likes freshness. Watering should keep its roots cool and dry. In summer, wait until the soil surface has dried to one centimetre before watering. In winter, let the substrate dry out between watering.

Pournon-calcareous water (rainwater, for example) at room temperature over the soil.

After each watering, empty the stagnant water into the saucer.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Microsorum musifolium to give it more space.

Obtain a pierced pot of a larger size than the previous one. You can choose a terracotta container. Heavier, it will prevent your Alligator fern from tipping over.

Fill the pot with a light, draining substrate. You can use potting soil for orchids or potting soil for green plants with peat, perlite and coconut fibre.

Plant microsorum musifolium in the center and add substrate. Do not bury rhizomes deeply. Water to facilitate rooting.

Place the pot on a saucer of moist clay balls to increase humidity.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Microsorum musifolium, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Apply green plant fertilizer once a month. Microsorum musifolium is not a very greedy variety. Halve the dose recommended by the manufacturer.

Prune

To encourage the growth of your Alligator fern, prune regularly.

Using clean, sharp pruning shears, remove dry fronds. They will soon be replaced by new ones.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Take advantage of repotting to multiply the plant by dividing it. Once you've dug up your microsorum musifolium, locate a rhizome with aerial stems and several fronds. Separate it from the main plant using your hands or a clean, sharp knife.

Prepare a pierced pot. Fill it with a light, well-draining substrate. You can choose orchid potting soil, for example, or make up your own mix of potting soil for green plants, peat moss, coconut fibre and perlite.

Plant your cutting without burying the rhizome deeply. Water to facilitate rooting.

Place the pot on a dish of moist clay balls to increase humidity.

Disease / Threat

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Polypodiaceae - Polypodiaceae
Type	Microsorum - Microsorum
Species	Alligator fern - Microsorum musifolium
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Rhizome
Tags	Fritillary Large pot
Origin	Southeast Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	11a
Leaf color