Microsorum musifolium, the crocodile fern
Microsorum musifolium
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Genus
- Microsorum
- Species
- Alligator fern Microsorum musifolium
Other names:Drynaria musifolia, Pleopeltis musifolia, Polypodium musifolium, Asplenium crocodilus, Microsorum musifolium ‘Crocodylus’
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 care tips
The 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.
Pournon-calcareous water (rainwater, for example) at room temperature over the soil.
After each watering, empty the stagnant water into the saucer.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Microsorum musifolium to give it more space.
Get a pot with drainage holes that's larger than the previous one. You can choose a terracotta pot. Since it's heavier, it will prevent your Alligator fern from tipping over.
Fill the pot with a light, well-draining substrate. You can use orchid potting substrate or a substrate for houseplants enriched with peat moss, perlite, and coconut fiber.
Plant your microsorum musifolium in the center and add more substrate. The rhizomes should not be buried too deeply. Water it to help it take root.
Place the pot on a saucer filled with moist clay pellets 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.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings 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
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Half-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting method
- In pots
- Tags
- Cold-sensitiveLarge pot
- Origin
- Southeast Asia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11a (4.4°C ≤ T° < 7.2°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
Discover plants from the same family
Blue star fern
Phlebodium aureum
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
