How to Grow and Care for Crocodile Fern (Microsorum Musifolium)

Common Name	Crocodile fern
Botanical Name	Microsorum musifolium
Family	Polypodiaceae
Plant Type	Herbaceous, perennial
Mature Size	2-3 ft. tall and wide
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Rich, moist, well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic, neutral
Hardiness Zones	10-11 (USDA)
Native Area	Malaysia

Crocodile Fern Care

Here are the main care requirements for crocodile fern:

• Put in a place with bright, indirect light.
• Plant in a well-drained potting mix.
• Water to keep the soil evenly moist.
• Fertilize monthly with diluted houseplant fertilizer.

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Light

Like many ferns, crocodile ferns grow best with bright, indirect light that mimics their natural habitat of forest floors or growing as an epiphyte on tree trunks below the canopy.

Put this plant in a north-facing or east-facing window, or several feet from a south-facing or west-facing window. Make sure it stays out of direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves and damage the plant.

Soil

Plant crocodile fern in a loose, well-drained potting mix that holds moisture. You can use standard houseplant potting mix with a few handfuls of orchid bark added, or make your own mix by combining two parts peat moss or coco coir, one part perlite, and one part orchid bark.

Water

Water your crocodile fern to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy during the spring and summer. Instead of watering on a set schedule, regularly check the soil moisture and water when the surface has just begun to dry out.

In the fall and winter, cut back on watering and allow the soil to nearly dry out before watering again.

Temperature and Humidity

Crocodile ferns prefer temperatures between 65°F and 75°F with a relative humidity of at least 50 percent. Temperatures should never drop below 50°F, which is too cold for this plant.

To increase the moisture in the air around your crocodile fern, group it together with other tropical plants or run a small humidifier nearby.

Fertilizer

Feed crocodile fern with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once per month in the spring and summer. Start fertilizing when you first see new growth in early spring and continue until fall. Stop fertilizing during the cold months.

Propagating Crocodile Fern

The easiest way to propagate crocodile fern is by dividing a mature plant. The best time to do this is in spring or summer during the plant’s active growth period.

Before you begin, gather fresh potting mix, small plant pots, clean pruners or scissors, and optional gardening gloves. Here’s how to propagate crocodile fern.

1. Remove the mature plant from its pot and examine the root ball. Examine the roots of the plant to identify natural divisions. Each division should have several leaves attached to its own healthy root system.
2. Gently pull the divisions apart at the crown of the plant with your fingers. If necessary, use scissors or pruners to cut apart stubborn roots.
3. Fill a plant pot for each division halfway with fresh potting mix. Plant each division in a pot, adding potting mix so that the soil surface hits the same place as the original planting.
4. Water the divisions thoroughly and put them in a warm place with bright, indirect light.
5. Care for the divisions as usual. You’ll know they’ve established in their new pot when you see new fronds growing.