Water
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top 1-2 cm of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering slightly during the cooler winter months to prevent root rot.
Ensure good drainage to avoid stagnant water.
Also known as Ball Fern · Fern Squirrelfoot · Squirrel’s-Foot Fern
Squirrel's foot fern (Davallia mariesii) is a rhizomatous fern prized for its creeping, hairy rhizomes resembling squirrel's feet.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Bright, indirect light
50% intensity
Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the fronds. Tolerates lower light conditions.
Keep consistently moist
75% intensity
Allow topsoil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid waterlogging.
Well-draining, peat-based potting mix
50% intensity
Average to warm
50% intensity
Ideal temperatures range from 18-24°C. Avoid cold drafts and temperatures below 13°C.
Indoor
50% intensity
Moderate
25% intensity
Feed during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top 1-2 cm of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering slightly during the cooler winter months to prevent root rot.
Ensure good drainage to avoid stagnant water.
Prune to remove any dead, damaged, or discolored fronds. Trim back any leggy growth to encourage a bushier habit. This can be done anytime the plant needs tidying. Remove old fronds by cutting them at the base.
Davallia mariesii can be propagated by division. Gently separate the rhizomes or root masses during repotting in spring. Ensure each division has healthy roots and at least a few fronds.
Pot them in a suitable substrate and keep moist.
Repot every 2-3 years, or when the plant becomes root-bound. Use a well-draining potting mix, ideally one formulated for ferns or epiphytes. When repotting, ensure the rhizomes sit on top of the soil surface, not buried.
Choose a pot slightly larger than the current one.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Squirrel's Foot Fern (Davallia mariesii)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Polypodiopsida |
| Order | Polypodiales |
| Family | Davalliaceae |
| Genus | Davallia |
| Species | Davallia mariesii |
Similar in genus Davallia
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
