Crocodile Fern - Nature's Textured Masterpiece
Some plants are named for their flowers, others for their growth habit. The Crocodile Fern earns its name from something far more unusual: the remarkable texture of its fronds. Run your eyes across those long, arching leaves and you'll immediately see why. The surface is covered in a distinctive pattern of raised veins and puckered segments that genuinely resembles crocodile skin. It's one of those plants that makes visitors do a double-take and reach out to touch.
Native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and northern Australia, this epiphytic fern naturally grows attached to trees rather than rooted in soil. In its home territory around Cairns and across the tropical regions, it clings to mossy branches and rock crevices, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the humid air and rain. This makes it surprisingly adaptable as an indoor plant, thriving in the kind of warm, humid conditions we can easily recreate at home.
Despite its exotic appearance and unusual texture, the Crocodile Fern is one of the easier ferns to care for. It tolerates lower light levels than many houseplants, doesn't demand constant attention, and rewards you with long-lasting, architectural foliage that only gets more impressive as the plant matures.
The Foliage
The fronds are the undisputed star attraction. Unlike the delicate, feathery fronds of most ferns, the Crocodile Fern produces broad, strap-like leaves that are thick, leathery, and wonderfully textured. The surface is marked with a network of dark green veins against a lighter apple-green background, creating that distinctive crocodile skin pattern. Some describe it as more like snakeskin or the craquelure pattern on antique porcelain, but whatever you see in it, the effect is striking.
The fronds grow in an upright, arching rosette from rhizomes just below (or even at) the soil surface. Young fronds emerge from the centre, unfurling to reveal that gorgeous texture. As they mature, they arch gracefully outward, creating a full, fountain-like form. Individual fronds can reach 60-90cm in length indoors, with larger specimens potentially achieving even greater dimensions.
The texture isn't just visual, either. Touch the fronds and you'll feel those raised veins and puckered segments. It's a tactile plant that rewards closer inspection.
Light Requirements
As a rainforest understory plant, the Crocodile Fern is naturally adapted to lower light conditions. It thrives in bright indirect light but will happily tolerate partial shade and even quite low light levels, making it perfect for those challenging spots where other plants struggle.
North or east-facing windows are ideal. It can also do well set back from brighter windows or in rooms that don't receive direct sunlight. What it won't tolerate is direct sun, which will scorch those beautiful fronds. If the leaves start to yellow or develop brown patches, move the plant to a shadier spot.
Rotate the pot periodically to encourage even, symmetrical growth.
Watering
Like most ferns, the Crocodile Fern likes consistent moisture but hates sitting in waterlogged soil. The key is to keep the potting mix evenly moist without letting it become soggy. Allow the top 2-3cm to dry slightly between waterings, then water thoroughly.
Underwatering will cause the fronds to wilt and droop; overwatering leads to yellowing fronds and potential root rot. When in doubt, stick your finger into the soil to check moisture levels before watering.
Use room-temperature water when possible. Cold water can shock tropical plants. Reduce watering in winter when growth naturally slows.
Humidity
This is where the Crocodile Fern's tropical origins become important. It appreciates high humidity (50% or above) and will look its best when moisture levels are kept up. In dry environments, you may notice brown tips on the fronds.
Bathrooms and kitchens often provide the naturally humid conditions this fern loves. Alternatively, group plants together, use a pebble tray, run a humidifier nearby, or mist the foliage regularly. Good air circulation is also beneficial to prevent fungal issues.
Temperature
Keep your Crocodile Fern in warm conditions, ideally between 18-27°C. It's sensitive to cold and shouldn't be exposed to temperatures below 10-15°C. Avoid cold drafts from windows, doors, or air conditioning, and keep away from heating vents that can dry out the air.
In cooler months, growth will naturally slow, and the plant may require less water.
Potting and Soil
As an epiphyte, the Crocodile Fern has shallow roots and prefers a loose, airy potting mix that drains well while retaining some moisture. A quality fern or orchid mix works beautifully. You can also create your own blend using coco coir or peat moss as a base, with added perlite, orchid bark, and charcoal for drainage and aeration.
Don't bury the rhizomes too deeply; they should sit just at or slightly below the soil surface. Use pots with good drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Repot every couple of years or when roots fill the pot. Spring is the best time for repotting.
Feeding
The Crocodile Fern is not a heavy feeder. Apply a diluted liquid fertiliser monthly during the growing season (spring and summer). Growth Technology Foliage Focus at half strength provides all the nutrients needed for healthy frond development.
Reduce or stop feeding in autumn and winter when growth slows. Avoid over-fertilising, as ferns are sensitive to chemical burn from excess fertiliser salts.
Maintenance
Those broad fronds tend to collect dust, which can block light and hinder the plant's ability to photosynthesise. Gently wipe the fronds with a damp cloth periodically to keep them clean and looking their best. Never use leaf shine products on ferns, as they can damage the delicate frond surface.
Remove any brown or yellowing outer fronds as they occur. Some leaf drop is natural as the plant ages and directs energy to new growth. Trim damaged fronds at the base to keep the plant looking tidy.
Pet Safety
Great news for pet owners: the Crocodile Fern is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses according to the ASPCA. This makes it an excellent choice for households with curious animals who might investigate your plant collection. While nibbling on any plant can cause mild stomach upset, the Crocodile Fern won't cause any toxic reactions.
Perfect For
- Bathrooms and kitchens with good light
- Low light rooms and shaded corners
- Pet-friendly households
- Terrariums and enclosed displays
- Kokedama and mounted displays
- Adding architectural texture to plant collections
- Offices and spaces with artificial lighting
- Tropical-themed interiors
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the frond tips turning brown?
Brown tips usually indicate low humidity or inconsistent watering. Increase humidity by misting, using a pebble tray, or moving the plant to a naturally humid room like a bathroom. Ensure you're watering before the soil dries out completely.
Why are my fronds yellowing?
Yellow fronds can indicate overwatering, too much direct light, or natural aging of outer fronds. Check your watering routine and ensure the plant isn't sitting in water. Move to a shadier spot if it's receiving direct sun.
Is this fern safe for my cat or dog?
Yes. The Crocodile Fern is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses according to the ASPCA. It's a safe choice for pet-friendly homes.
Can I grow this in a terrarium?
Absolutely. The Crocodile Fern is well-suited to terrariums, both open and closed, which provide the high humidity this fern loves. Just ensure the terrarium is large enough to accommodate growth, as the plant can reach a reasonable size over time.
How often should I repot?
Repot every couple of years or when the roots fill the pot. Spring is the ideal time. Use a loose, well-draining potting mix and don't bury the rhizomes too deeply.
Please Keep in Mind
The Crocodile Fern (Microsorum musifolium 'Crocodyllus') is an epiphytic fern native to tropical Australia and Southeast Asia, featuring distinctive fronds with a textured pattern resembling crocodile skin. It thrives in bright indirect to low light and appreciates high humidity (50%+), making it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, allowing the top few centimetres to dry slightly between waterings. Maintain temperatures between 18-27°C and protect from cold drafts. Feed monthly with diluted Growth Technology Foliage Focus during the growing season. Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses according to the ASPCA.
If you are from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase this plant, we recommend using Paradise Distributors concierge service. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing: info@rareplants.net.au
LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW YOUR PLANTS GET TO YOU & HOW YOU CAN PICK THEM UP!
Alright, so here's the deal with shipping - we try our best to send all our plants potted and ready to go, but sometimes due to larger orders or when we're moving through some big changes, we'll send some plants semi-bare rooted. If you haven't come across this before, it basically means we carefully remove a bunch of the soil before packing them up. I know that might sound a bit scary if you've never ordered plants online before, but trust me, this is actually a really smart way to do it! The main reason we do this is because it creates so much more room in the box, which means we can fit way more plants in one shipment for you. More plants in one box = more green goodness arriving at your door at once! The plants honestly handle the journey better without all that heavy, wet soil sloshing around too. Just make sure you've got some fresh potting mix ready to go when your green babies arrive, because they'll want to get tucked into their new home pretty quickly!
Now, let's chat about what actually fits in our boxes. We can safely fit about 4-6 plants in one box, or if you're stocking up on supplies, one box can hold 3 bags of medium plus 1L of Growth Technology. We really don't recommend adding heavy items with your plants though - it just puts extra stress on your precious plants during transit and limits how many we can fit. If your order ends up being heavier than our standard box can handle, we'll reach out to you about additional postage fees. We're always transparent about costs, no sneaky surprises!
When Does Everything Ship Out?
Here's how our timeline works - we process and ship orders the week after you place them. So if you order on a Tuesday, your plants will get packed and sent out sometime the following week. We ship Monday through Friday (because let's be real, we all need weekends to recharge!), and we're aiming to get your order out within 4-6 business days of processing. Sometimes things take a tiny bit longer because we're a small but mighty team, and we take absolute care in making sure every single plant is packed perfectly. Like, we're talking individual attention for each plant here. We don't rush this stuff!
Once your order ships, you'll get an email with your tracking number. If you haven't received that tracking email, it just means we're still working on your order - it hasn't left us yet. Please be patient with us! We promise we're working as fast as we can while still making sure everything is done right. We pack orders in chronological order to keep things fair for everyone, so no one's getting special treatment or jumping the queue. First come, first served, that's how we roll!
The Journey to Your Doorstep
All our orders ship with Australia Post, and here's something cool - they operate 24/7! That means even if your order gets sent out on a Friday afternoon, it's still making its way to you over the weekend. The postal system doesn't sleep, and honestly, that's pretty amazing for getting plants to you quickly. You can generally expect your plants to arrive within 2-7 days after we ship them, depending on where you are in Australia. Metro areas tend to be quicker, regional spots might take the full week, but either way, your tracking number will keep you in the loop the whole time.
And here's the thing that always blows people's minds - our plants are absolute troopers. We've tested this extensively, and they can genuinely survive in their boxes for up to three weeks if needed. Obviously we don't want them sitting around that long, but life happens, mail gets delayed sometimes, and we want you to know that your plants are prepped and ready to handle whatever the postal system throws at them. While we do our best to avoid delays, occasional unforeseen circumstances may slightly impact delivery times, but rest assured, your plants are packed with extra care and are tougher than you think!
Quarantine States (WA, NT, TAS)
We currently only ship directly to non-quarantine states. Unfortunately, biosecurity restrictions make it pretty complicated to send plants to Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. But don't worry, we've got a solution for you! If you're from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase plants from us, we recommend using Paradise Distributors' concierge service. They're absolute legends and can handle all the biosecurity paperwork and requirements for you. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing so they can give you all the details and help you out: info@rareplants.net.au
Come Visit & Pick Up from the Greenhouse! (Rockdale)
If you're local or just love the idea of picking up your order in person, we've got you covered! Greenhouse collection from our Rockdale location is available the same week you make your purchase. Our opening hours are always changing, so make sure to check booking availability on our 'BOOK TO VISIT' page before purchasing. After you've paid for your order, just head over and book a time slot that works for you. You'll get to pick up your plants AND have a wander through the greenhouse while you're here, which honestly is such a vibe. Just please wear a mask if you're feeling unwell - it's a small space and we want to keep everyone safe and healthy!
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE DO NOT SHARE THE GREENHOUSE ADDRESS PUBLICLY BECAUSE ITS OUR HOME ASWELL AS BUSINESS, AFTER YOU BOOK YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL OR TEXT WITH OUR ADDRESS, IF THE GATE IS CLOSED ON ARRIVAL DON'T WORRY WILL BE RIGHT WITH YOU :) AND PLEASE NO BIG BOUNCY DOGS AS ITS A SMALL SPACE & PLANTS GET DAMAGED WITH HAPPY TAILS :)
Catch Us at Markets!
We do regular markets around Sydney and would love to meet you in person! If you'd prefer to skip shipping altogether and grab your order at one of our market stalls, just email us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com and we can arrange collection at an upcoming market. It's a great way to chat plants face-to-face, see what else we've got on the day, and save on postage!
Questions? We're Here for You!
If you've got any questions about shipping, tracking, or literally anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com. We love chatting with you guys and we're always happy to help troubleshoot, answer questions, or just talk plants!
Much love from the GG's Team 🌱
