How to care for Rabbit's Foot Fern
Davallia fejeensis · Davalliaceae
Named for the furry golden rhizomes that creep over the pot's edge like little paws, the rabbit's foot fern pairs novelty with genuinely tough, lacy foliage. It is more forgiving of missed waterings than most ferns thanks to those water-storing rhizomes. It shines in a hanging basket where the fuzzy feet can wander freely. Water roughly every 5 days while it's growing (about every 9 in winter), give it a bright room away from the window, kept above 55°F (13°C) — it wants humid air.
Care at a glance
Water when the top couple of centimeters dry, aiming at the soil rather than soaking the furry rhizomes, which can rot if kept wet.
Bright, indirect to medium light; an east window or a spot back from a brighter one suits it well.
Half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer monthly through spring and summer.
Mistakes that kill this plant
- Burying the furry rhizomes under soil, which rots them.
- Keeping the pot soggy in a cool winter room.
- Parking it over a heat vent where the air is desert-dry.
Seasonal tips
- Never bury the rhizomes when repotting — lay them on the surface of a shallow, wide pot or basket.
- Ease off watering in winter but never let it go bone dry.
- Propagate in spring by pinning rhizome sections onto moist mix.
Is it safe for pets?
Our records list Rabbit's Foot Fern as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
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Toxicity here is informational, not a safety guarantee. Those are our own records, compiled by following the ASPCA's published toxic and non-toxic plant lists and Pet Poison Helpline's plant poison list rather than copied from them — confirm anything that matters against the ASPCA's published lists, which this one is matched to, or with your vet. If your pet ingested this plant, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.