Coastal Tangle Fern Plant Care
Acrostichum danaeifolium Langsd. & Fisch.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Acrostichum danaeifolium, called helecho mangle, interior leather fern or giant leather fern, is a massive fern in the family Pteridaceae which is found throughout the Neotropics. The fronds are up to 3 m (9.8 ft) long with pinnate leaflets up to 30 cm (12 in) long.
Every 3–5 days
Partial to full shade
60–80°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Coastal Tangle Fern?
Water Coastal Tangle Fern every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Coastal Tangle Fern?
Coastal Tangle Fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium) belongs to the Pteridaceae family within the Acrostichum genus. Coastal Tangle Fern is also known as Mangrove Fern.
Coastal Tangle Fern displays a large, spreading fern growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Coastal Tangle Fern produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 24 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Coastal Tangle Fern?
Acrostichum danaeifolium requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Coastal Tangle Fern Need?
Coastal Tangle Fern thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Coastal Tangle Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Coastal Tangle Fern Prefer?
Acrostichum danaeifolium grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Coastal Tangle Fern prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Coastal Tangle Fern?
Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Coastal Tangle Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Coastal Tangle Fern?
Feed Coastal Tangle Fern every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Coastal Tangle Fern?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Coastal Tangle Fern?
Coastal Tangle Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to golden leather fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Coastal Tangle Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Coastal Tangle Fern, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Coastal Tangle Fern?
Coastal Tangle Fern is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Coastal Tangle Fern Need?
Coastal Tangle Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Coastal Tangle Fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Coastal Tangle Fern is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Acrostichum genus — compare its care with other Acrostichum species on PlantoScan.
Acrostichum is part of the Pteridaceae plant family — browse all Pteridaceae genera and species.
Coastal Tangle Fern copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Acrostichum danaeifolium Langsd. & Fisch., family Pteridaceae (first published in Pl. Voy. Russes Monde 5, t. 1 (1810)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Coastal Tangle Fern, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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