How to Grow and Care for Kangaroo Paw Fern Like a Pro

Common Name	Kangaroo paw fern, hound’s tongue fern
Botanical Name	Microsorum diversifolium
Family	Polypodiaceae
Plant Type	Fern
Mature Size	12 inches tall, 4 feet wide
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Moist, well-drained
Soil pH	Neutral
Bloom Time	Non-flowering
Flower Color	None
Hardiness Zones	10-11 (USDA)
Native Area	Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand

Kangaroo Paw Fern Care

• Give your kangaroo paw fern bright, indirect light.
• Plant in moist, well-drained potting mix.
• Water when the soil surface has begun to dry out.
• Fertilize regularly during the spring and summer.

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Light

Keep your kangaroo paw fern in a place with bright, indirect light, such as in an east-facing or north-facing window or several feet from a south-facing or west-facing window. Make sure the plant is out of direct sun, which can burn the leaves and stunt its growth.

Soil

Plant your kangaroo paw fern in moist, well-drained soil. Standard houseplant potting mix made with peat moss or coconut coir for moisture retention and perlite for drainage works well. You can increase drainage and help prevent root rot by adding a few handfuls of coarse sand or perlite to the mix.

Water

Water your plant so that the soil remains evenly moist but not soggy. Monitor the plant’s potting mix regularly and water when the surface of the soil has just begun to dry out.

Be sure to empty cache pots and saucers after watering so that the plant isn’t sitting in water, which can encourage root rot. Your kangaroo paw fern will need less frequent watering during the fall and winter.

Temperature and Humidity

When kept indoors, kangaroo paw fern prefers temperatures in the 60°F to 70°F range. Temperatures below 50°F can affect the growth of houseplant specimens. Like other ferns, this plant prefers high-humidity conditions, but kangaroo paw fern can handle drier indoor air better than some other species.

Consider keeping your fern in your bathroom, where the warmth and steam of the shower can provide additional moisture in the air.

Fertilizer

 Fertilize your kangaroo paw fern with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength once per month during the spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter.

Propagating Kangaroo Pawn Fern

The best way to propagate kangaroo paw fern is by dividing the rhizomes of a healthy, mature plant. You’ll have the best results in late winter or early spring when new growth has just begun to appear. Before you begin, you’ll need fresh potting mix, plant pots, and a sterilized, serrated knife. Here’s how to propagate kangaroo paw fern by division.

1. Remove the mother plant from its container. Use your fingers to loosen the root ball.
2. Decide where to divide your fern by examining its fuzzy rhizomes. You can divide the plant into two or make several divisions if the plant is large enough, as long as each division has several leaves and rhizomes.
3. Cut through the root ball with your knife to separate the plant into multiple divisions.
4. Fill your containers about halfway with fresh potting mix. Plant one division in each pot, then fill in with potting mix so that the surface of the soil is at the same level as it was on the mother plant. Water each division well.
5. Put your new plants in a warm place with indirect light and keep the soil evenly moist. New growth indicates that the plants have acclimated to their new pots and you can care for them as usual.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases 

Common houseplant pests like mealybugs and scale can affect kangaroo paw ferns. Because foliar pesticides can be harmful to ferns, it’s best to remove pests by hand or with a strong jet of water. You can also use neem oil or horticultural soap to eradicate and deter pests.

Fungus gnats can also infest overly wet soils, which must be treated with organic pesticides to solve the problem. Fungal issues like root rot can be caused by overly wet conditions due to overwatering or poorly drained soil.

Common Problems With Kangaroo Paw Ferns

Lack of Growth

A kangaroo paw fern that’s growing very slowly or not at all—or only has a few leaves—probably isn’t getting enough light. Move the plant closer to a window, making sure it’s still out of direct sunlight. You can also use a sheer curtain to filter the light of a bright window and protect the plant from sunburn.

Leaves Turning Yellow

The occasional yellow leaf on your kangaroo paw fern is a normal part of the plant’s aging process. You can cut these off at the base of the plant as they appear. However, frequent or many yellowing leaves are a common sign of overwatering.

Avoid watering until the soil surface has begun to dry out. Check drip trays and saucers for excess water after a watering session. If soil moisture isn’t the issue, your plant may not be receiving enough nutrients. Consider adding fertilizer to your routine or fertilizing more often.

Browning Tips

Brown tips can appear on a kangaroo paw fern that isn’t getting enough water. Low humidity can also cause browning tips in indoor ferns.