Plant Care Squirrel's Foot Fern

Squirrel's Foot Fern

Taxonomy

Davallia bullata
Davallia
Davalliaceae
Polypodiales

How to care for Squirrel's Foot Fern

💦 Water

How often to water your Squirrel's Foot Fern

Water needs for Squirrel's Foot Fern
0.5 cups
every 9

Squirrel's Foot 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 Squirrel's Foot Fern

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Squirrel's Foot Fern in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Squirrel's Foot Fern: 3ft from a window
3ft or less from
a window

Squirrel's Foot 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 Squirrel's Foot Fern in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Squirrel's Foot Fern

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

💡 FAQs
💦 Water Needs

Squirrel's Foot 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.

Squirrel's Foot Fern Water Frequency →

Squirrel's Foot Fern Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Squirrel's Foot Fern may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Squirrel's Foot Fern Light Requirements →

Squirrel's Foot Fern Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Squirrel's Foot 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.


💨 Humidity

Squirrel's Foot 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.

Squirrel's Foot Fern Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Squirrel's Foot 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 Squirrel's Foot Fern →

When and How to Successfully Repot Squirrel's Foot Fern →


💩 Fertilizer

Squirrel's Foot 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 Squirrel's Foot Fern →


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Squirrel's Foot Fern to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Squirrel's Foot Fern is native to Tropical and Subtropical Australia, Asia, and Africa.


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Squirrel's Foot Fern can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Squirrel's Foot Fern Temperature Tolerance →


🍂 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 Squirrel's Foot 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 Squirrel's Foot Fern

Squirrel's Foot Fern

Squirrel's Foot Fern


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

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

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