Heart Fern Plant Care
Blechnum cordatum Hieron.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Parablechnum cordatum, the Chilean hard fern or costilla de vaca, is a fern of the family Blechnaceae, native to Chile. It is also found in neighboring areas of Argentina and the Juan Fernández Islands.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to low light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Heart Fern?
Water Heart Fern every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Heart Fern Native To?
What Is the Heart Fern?
Heart Fern (Blechnum cordatum) belongs to the Blechnaceae family within the Blechnum genus. Heart Fern is native to Chile. Heart Fern is also known as Chilean Hard Fern.
Heart Fern displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Heart Fern produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Heart Fern?
Blechnum cordatum requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Heart Fern Need?
Heart Fern thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Heart Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Heart Fern Prefer?
Blechnum cordatum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Heart Fern prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Heart Fern?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Heart Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Heart Fern?
Feed Heart 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 Heart Fern?
Repot every 2-3 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 Heart Fern?
Heart Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blechnum castaneum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Heart Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Heart 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 Heart Fern?
Heart Fern is susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects. 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 Heart Fern Need?
Heart Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Heart Fern is native to Chile.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Heart 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 Blechnum genus — compare its care with other Blechnum species on PlantoScan.
Blechnum is part of the Blechnaceae plant family — browse all Blechnaceae genera and species.
Heart Fern copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Blechnum Species
Other Blechnum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Blechnum cordatum Hieron., family Blechnaceae (first published in Hedwigia 47: 239. 1908) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Heart 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 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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