Fishtail fern in pot
Nephrolepis falcata in pot
Sores of Nephrolepis falcata
Fishtail tip of Nephrolepis falcata pinnules
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Nephrolepis falcata, a fern with original fronds
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Native to the Philippines, Nephrolepis falcata belongs to the Nephrolepidaceae family. It has been cultivated indoors in Europe since Victorian times. What makes it special? Long, emerald-green fronds that end in a fishtail.
How to recognize Nephrolepis falcata?
Nephrolepis falcata is a rhizomatous fern. Epiphytic or terrestrial, it has a bushy habit. The largest specimens reach two meters in diameter and over two meters in height. When fully grown, the smallest grow to no more than 60 centimetres in all directions.
Nephrolepis falcalta has emerald-green lanceolate fronds. They can measure over a metre in length. The leaflets are evenly distributed on either side of the rachis. Their tips are divided in two, forming a Y or fishtail. This characteristic makes Nephrolepis falcata easy to distinguish from its cousins, boston Fern and nephrolepis biserrata.
Nephrolepis falcata does not produce flowers or fruit. In summer, it develops orange-yellow sori on the underside of its fronds. These contain sporangia which, spread by the wind, enable the plant to reproduce.
Fishtail fern is not toxic on contact or ingestion. Some even claim it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Our maintenance tips
Fishtail Ferns are easy-care plants. As long as you protect them from the sun and limestone. To keep your fern looking good for years, place it behind a north-facing window and water it with rainwater.
Watering
Your Fishtail fern needs a lot of water. But you can leave the potting soil to dry on the surface between waterings.
The plant does not tolerate limescale. It's best to water with rainwater at room temperature. If you don't have any, you can use spring water or filtered water.
Don't forget to empty the water that stagnates at the bottom of the planter or saucer. It could rot the roots and kill your Fishtail fern.
Spray
In addition to regular watering, misting prevents the plant from drying out due to heat in summer and heating in winter.
Fishtail Ferns do not like hard water. Preferrainwater or filtered water.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Nephrolepis falcata to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Get a pierced pot. Fishtail Ferns are fast-growing. Don't hesitate to choose a model two or three sizes larger than the previous one.
Line the bottom with clay balls for drainage. If you prefer to use gravel or pebbles, make sure they are not chalky.
Then pour in a layer of potting soil. You'll find fern substrate on the market that's just right. But you can also make your own growing medium by mixing heather soil, sand and potting soil for green plants.
Plant your Fishtail fern in the center, taking care not to damage the roots. Add potting soil and compact. Water to encourage rooting and eliminate air bubbles.
To increase humidity, place a bed of moist clay balls at the bottom of the dish or planter.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Encourage the growth of your Fishtail fern with a liquid fertilizer for green plants.
Respect the quantity indicated by the manufacturer. Overdosing can damage your fern's fragile foliage and roots.
Prune
Shake your fern to remove dead pinnae.
Then remove the dry fronds with pruning shears or a pair of clean, sharp scissors.
Also remove any hairy rhizomes emerging from the surface.
Cutting
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Locate a young shoot and carefully separate it from the mother plant. Take care to remove its roots without damaging the rest of the root system.
In a perforated pot, pour a bed of clay balls to optimize drainage.
Then add a rich, draining substrate, such as a mixture of potting soil for green plants, sand and peat. Plant your cutting in the center and fill in with the substrate. Water to remove air bubbles and facilitate rooting.
Diseases / Threats
Information
| Family | Nephrolepidaceae - Nephrolepidaceae |
| Type | Nephrolepis - Nephrolepis |
| Species | Fishtail fern - Nephrolepis falcata |
| Lifecycle | Perennial |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Exposures | |
| Substrat | |
| Categories | |
| Tags |
Fritillary Soiffarde |
| Origin |
Southeast Asia |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 10a |
| Leaf color |
|
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