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Deer Fern

About Deer Fern

Deer Fern is a super rare houseplant 🌿 that is easy to grow and

Deer Fern belongs to the Struthiopteris genus, and is native to Northwestern Africa, Europe to Iran, Japan, and Southern Alaska to the Western United States.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Struthiopteris spicant

Genus

Struthiopteris

Family

Blechnaceae

Order

Polypodiales

Also known as

Struthiopteris spicant and Hard-fern

How to care for Deer Fern

💦 Water

How often to water your Deer Fern

Deer 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.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Deer Fern in your home

Deer Fern may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Deer Fern in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Deer Fern

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Deer 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 Deer Fern after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Deer Fern is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Deer Fern grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Deer Fern Lifecycle →

Deer Fern Size Guide →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Deer Fern can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 6a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Deer Fern Hardiness Zones →

🧐 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.

What Eats Deer Fern? →