How to grow and care for Nephrolepis exaltata
plant care guide about watering, fertilizing, trimming, repotting, cutting, propagating Nephrolepis exaltata, Fishbone fern
Nephrolepis exaltata 101 - Plant Care Instructions
Bright indirect light
16C° ~20C°
Every 7 days
Growth Observation wiki
transplant
vegetative
new leaf
💬 Gardener's know-how
Botany Encyclopedia
Species : Nephrolepis exaltata
🏝️ Habitat Conditions
It primarily inhabits America, thriving in wetlands or shady, humid environments. It is sensitive to cold and cannot survive outdoors during winter.
🪨 Soil Mix
It is best to plant in well-draining soil. A common mix ratio is 40% potting soil, 20% bark, 20% leaf mold, 10% perlite, and 10% charcoal. This can vary depending on conditions and environment.
🌡️ Environment
Temperature: Maintain 18~23°C, with a minimum of 5°C. Humidity: Keep above 60%. Manage humidity by misting or placing a water dish nearby. Ensure good air circulation to prevent mold and pests, as high humidity without airflow can cause issues.
👀 Characteristics details
Depending on the habitat environment, it can grow as an epiphyte, making it suitable for hanging as an interior decoration.
☀️ Light
It is better for the plant to receive indirect light rather than direct sunlight. Too much light can cause the leaves to turn brown.
💧 Water
Water the plant when the surface soil is dry. It's best to keep the soil consistently moist.
🌱 Propagate
Propagation is usually done using runners, which are green stems with white hairs. Do not cut them; instead, submerge them in water and wait for roots to develop. Once new leaves appear on the runner, separate it from the parent plant and transplant it into soil. Another method is to divide larger plants through root division for propagation.
🪴 Repot
Repot every 1-2 years due to its relatively fast growth rate.
💊 Fertilize
Using fertilizer once during spring and summer, while adhering to the recommended amount, can promote more vigorous growth.
water
How to water Nephrolepis exaltata
💬 Gardener's know-how
How often should I water?
check Nephrolepis exaltata Every 7 days if it needs water when it’s very cold (below 5℃), water less frequently
When do I need to water?
the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry
Light & Location
How much light does a Nephrolepis exaltata need?
Bright indirect light
Medium
Grow light
Light preference
Nephrolepis exaltata likes Bright indirect light, Medium, Grow light day. The brighter the space, the better this plant grows.
Check if there’s an optimal place in your house!
This plant prefers
800 ~ 10K lux to thrive!
0
20K~
800
10K
Temperature
Houseplants
-15
16~20℃
45
Plants that grow in the wild and those that grow indoors prefer different temperatures. If you grow Nephrolepis exaltata at home, make sure the temperature is 16~20℃.
Humidity
Ideal humidity
0
70~90%
100
Nephrolepis exaltata prefers humidity about 70~90%. If necessary, increase humidity by misting, humidifier.
Fertilize
Collective Knowhow
When should I fertilize?
Only when your plant is healthy
How frequently should I fertilize?
1-2 times in growing season. A pinch for a small pot.
Characteristic
The taxonomic classification of Nephrolepis exaltata is as follows. - Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Tracheophyta, Class: Polypodiopsida, Order: Polypodiales, Family: Nephrolepidaceae, Genus: Nephrolepis, Species: Nephrolepis exaltata
| Characteristic Name | Characteristic Value |
|---|---|
| Habitat | South America |
| Taxonomy Name | Taxonomy Value |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Polypodiopsida |
| Order | Polypodiales |
| Family | Nephrolepidaceae |
| Genus | Nephrolepis |
| Species | Nephrolepis exaltata |
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