Borrer's scaly male fern

About Borrer's scaly male fern

Borrer's scaly male fern is a super rare houseplant 🌿 that needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Borrer's scaly male fern likes soil that is well draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Dryopteris caucasia

Genus

Dryopteris

Family

Dryopteridaceae

Order

Polypodiales

Also known as

Scaly male fern

How to care for Borrer's scaly male fern

💦 Water

How often to water your Borrer's scaly male fern

Borrer's scaly male fern needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 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
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Borrer's scaly male fern in your home

Borrer's scaly male fern love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Borrer's scaly male fern does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Borrer's scaly male fern in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Borrer's scaly male fern

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Borrer's scaly male 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 Borrer's scaly male fern after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Dryopteris

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Borrer's scaly male fern thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Borrer's scaly male fern requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 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.

🪴 Soil

Borrer's scaly male fern does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

💩 Fertilizer

Borrer's scaly male fern grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

🧐 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.