Rabbit Foot Fern - A Whimsical Wonder
Meet the utterly charming Rabbit Foot Fern, a delightful plant that's as fun to grow as it is to look at! This unique fern gets its adorable name from the fuzzy, furry rhizomes that creep over the edges of its pot, looking remarkably like soft little rabbit feet. These brown, hairy stems are covered in fine scales and give this plant an almost magical, storybook quality that makes it an instant favourite with plant lovers of all ages.
Native to Fiji and the tropical South Pacific islands, the Rabbit Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis) is an epiphyte in its natural habitat. This means it grows on trees, rocks and other surfaces rather than in soil, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air, rain and organic debris. Those charming fuzzy rhizomes aren't just for show; they're actually how the plant absorbs water and nutrients from its environment!
Above those whimsical "feet," you'll find cascades of delicate, lacy fronds that give this fern an elegant, airy appearance. The finely divided leaflets create a soft, feathery texture that contrasts beautifully with the rustic, furry rhizomes below. It's a combination of delicate and quirky that makes the Rabbit Foot Fern truly special.
Best of all? Unlike many ferns that have a reputation for being fussy and demanding, the Rabbit Foot Fern is remarkably forgiving and one of the easiest ferns to grow as a houseplant. If you've struggled with ferns before, this might just be the one that wins you over!
Light Requirements
Your Rabbit Foot Fern thrives in bright, indirect light but is adaptable enough to tolerate lower light conditions too. Think of the dappled light filtering through the rainforest canopy where these plants naturally grow. A north or east-facing window is ideal, or position it a few metres back from brighter windows.
Avoid direct sunlight at all costs! Those delicate, lacy fronds will scorch quickly in harsh sun, and the beautiful fuzzy rhizomes can turn brown and dry out. If you notice the fronds looking bleached or developing brown patches, move your fern to a shadier spot. This makes the Rabbit Foot Fern perfect for those trickier spots in your home that don't get direct sun.
Watering
As an epiphyte, the Rabbit Foot Fern has slightly different watering needs than your typical houseplant. Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season but never waterlogged. Allow the top 1-2cm of soil to dry out slightly between waterings, then water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom.
The fuzzy rhizomes also appreciate a light misting to keep them from drying out, especially in drier environments. Room temperature water is best, and if you live in an area with hard tap water, consider using filtered water or rainwater to prevent mineral buildup that can damage the fronds.
Reduce watering in autumn and winter when growth slows naturally. Overwatering during this dormant period is one of the quickest ways to cause problems, so let the soil dry out a bit more between waterings in the cooler months.
Humidity and Temperature
While the Rabbit Foot Fern appreciates humidity (50-70% is ideal), it's far more tolerant of average household conditions than many other ferns. This is one of the reasons it's earned its reputation as the beginner-friendly fern! That said, if you notice brown tips on the fronds, it's a sign the air is too dry.
Boost humidity by grouping plants together to create a humid microclimate, placing your fern in a naturally humid room like a bright bathroom, or running a humidifier nearby. The furry rhizomes will thank you with healthy growth!
Temperature-wise, aim for a comfortable 18-24°C. Avoid cold drafts, heating vents and air conditioning, and never let temperatures drop below 13°C. If it gets too cold, your fern may drop its fronds or go dormant, which can eventually weaken or kill the plant.
Potting Medium
Given its epiphytic nature, the Rabbit Foot Fern prefers a light, airy mix that drains well while retaining moisture. A combination of quality potting mix with added perlite, orchid bark and coco coir works beautifully. Alternatively, you can grow it in pure sphagnum moss or even mount it on a board or piece of bark for a more natural, eye-catching display.
Whatever medium you choose, ensure the pot has excellent drainage. These ferns hate sitting in water, and soggy conditions will quickly lead to root rot. Importantly, never bury those fuzzy rhizomes under the soil; they need to sit on top or creep over the edges of the pot to stay healthy.
Feeding Your Rabbit Foot Fern
During the growing season (spring through summer), feed your Rabbit Foot Fern with Growth Technology Foliage Focus at a reduced strength of 2-3ml per litre of water every 2-4 weeks. Ferns are lighter feeders than many houseplants, so a gentle approach works best. Pair with Growth Technology Rootzone at 0.5ml per litre monthly to support healthy rhizome and root development. Pause feeding entirely during autumn and winter when growth naturally slows.
Growth Habits and What to Expect
The Rabbit Foot Fern has a spreading, cascading habit that makes it absolutely perfect for hanging baskets or elevated shelves where those charming fuzzy rhizomes can creep over the edges and dangle down for maximum visual impact. The rhizomes grow slowly but steadily, eventually creating a wonderfully full, textured display.
The lacy fronds emerge from the rhizomes and can reach up to 60cm in length on mature plants. As they age, older fronds will naturally turn brown and can be trimmed away at the base to keep your plant looking tidy and to encourage fresh growth.
Repotting is only needed every 2-3 years or when the rhizomes have completely covered the soil surface and are starting to climb out of the pot. Use a shallow, wide pot rather than a deep one, as the root system is relatively shallow. Remember, those rhizomes should always sit on top of the soil, never buried!
A Note on Pet Safety
Wonderful news for pet owners! The Rabbit Foot Fern is completely non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses, as verified by the ASPCA. This makes it one of the safest fern choices for homes with curious pets. In fact, cats often find the fuzzy rhizomes irresistible to play with, and while you might want to discourage this to protect your plant, at least you won't need to worry about any harm coming to your furry friends!
Perfect For
- Pet Owners: Completely safe for cats, dogs and other pets!
- Fern Beginners: One of the most forgiving ferns you can grow!
- Hanging Basket Displays: Those trailing rhizomes look stunning cascading down!
- Bathroom Beauties: Loves the humidity!
- Unique Plant Collectors: Those fuzzy feet are real conversation starters!
- Low Light Spaces: Tolerates shadier spots where other plants struggle!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the tips of my fern's fronds turning brown?
Brown tips typically indicate low humidity, underwatering, or exposure to direct sunlight. Increase humidity around your plant, ensure consistent watering, and move to a shadier location if needed. Unfortunately, brown tips won't recover, but new growth should be healthy with improved conditions.
My rhizomes are turning brown and dry - what's wrong?
Dry, shriveled rhizomes usually mean the air is too dry or the plant isn't getting enough water. Mist the rhizomes regularly and ensure you're watering thoroughly. If they've become very dried out, they may not recover, but the plant can produce new rhizomes if conditions improve.
Can I mount my Rabbit Foot Fern on wood or bark?
Absolutely! As an epiphyte, the Rabbit Foot Fern grows naturally on trees and rocks. You can mount it on cork bark, driftwood or a wooden plaque with some sphagnum moss. Just remember mounted plants dry out faster and will need more frequent watering and misting.
Please Keep in Mind
Every Rabbit Foot Fern is a unique individual with its own character. The photos shown are representative examples of the quality and form you can expect, but natural variations in frond shape, rhizome coverage and overall size make every plant one-of-a-kind. These individual differences are part of what makes growing plants so rewarding!
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 🌱
