Plant Care Alligator Fern

Alligator Fern

4.5 out of 5 (12 experiences)

Alligator Fern has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves
Alligator Fern has a Survivor plant personality Survivor

Also known as

Crocodile Fern, Crocodile Fern and Crocodyllus Fern

Taxonomy

Microsorum musifolium 'Crocodyllus'
Microsorum
Polypodiaceae
Polypodiales

How to care for Alligator Fern

šŸ’¦ Water

How often to water your Alligator Fern

Water needs for Alligator Fern
0.5 cups
every 9

Alligator Fern needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Alligator Fern

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
ā˜€ļø Light

Finding light for Crocodile Fern in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Alligator Fern: 6ft from a window
6ft or less from
a window

Alligator Fern can tolerate being far from a window and light source.

Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive šŸ’Ŗ.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Alligator Fern in your home šŸ”.

🪓 Nutrients

How to fertilize Alligator Fern

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Alligator Fern: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Alligator Fern after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #CrocodileFern
šŸ’” FAQs
šŸ’¦ Water Needs

Alligator Fern prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Crocodile Fern Water Frequency →

Crocodile Fern Root Rot →


ā˜€ļø Sunlight Needs

Alligator Fern can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive šŸ’Ŗ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home šŸ”.

Crocodile Fern Light Requirements →

Crocodile Fern Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 šŸ‘¶ Toxicity

Alligator Fern is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.


šŸ’Ø Humidity

Alligator Fern enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.

Crocodile Fern Humidity Needs →


🪓 Soil

Alligator Fern is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Crocodile Fern →

Best Pots for Crocodile Fern →

When and How to Successfully Repot Crocodile Fern →

What Are Healthy Crocodile Fern Roots →


šŸ’© Fertilizer

Alligator Fern should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Crocodile Fern →


šŸŒŽ Native Region

Alligator Fern is native to Temperate and Tropical Old World.


šŸŒ¦ļø Growing Outdoors
🌱 Propagation

Alligator Fern can be propagated by division into new individual plants.

  • Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
  • If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
  • Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
  • Repot the parent plant back into its original pot

How to Propagate Crocodile Fern →


šŸ‚ Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Alligator Fern, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Alligator Fern

Alligator Fern

Alligator Fern


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 6ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4ā€ pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Alligator Fern has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 9
Alligator Fern has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 4
Alligator Fern has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 3
Alligator Fern has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 3
@RJG avatar
@@RJG
leaf-1 124 Plants
xp 250,706 XP
globe Austin, TX
12/02/2021

very cool looking fern!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor
@Relle avatar
@@Relle
leaf-1 12 Plants
xp 555 XP
globe Watanobbi, New South Wales
10/11/2021

It is a pretty fern with limey green coloured and interesting patterned leaves. It does need some humidity though the ends of the leaves will go crispy without it. I have grouped my humidity loving plants together to form a micro climate which seems better for my crocodile fern.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
@AshinByAlex avatar
@@AshinByAlex
leaf-1 66 Plants
xp 4,630 XP
globe Vallejo, CA
06/14/2021

Sun? Sure. Shade? Alright. Water me often? Ok cool. Wager me sometimes? Thats chill. This guy does not g a single f what u do with him.

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
@Madifivetwo avatar
@@Madifivetwo
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 77 XP
05/18/2021

It’s taken me a while to figure out a good watering schedule for this one. Leaves wilt and dry easily but are super resilient and come back just as easy!

Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Survivor Survivor

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