Floating Fern Plant Care
Ceratopteris pteridoides (Hook.) Hieron.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ceratopteris pteridoides, the floating antler-fern, is a species of aquatic fern in the family Pteridaceae. It is native to the subtropical and tropical New World, the Indian Subcontinent, central and eastern China, and Vietnam.
Every 3–4 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Floating Fern?
Water Floating Fern every 3–4 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Floating Fern Native To?
What Is the Floating Fern?
Floating Fern (Ceratopteris pteridoides) belongs to the Pteridaceae family within the Ceratopteris genus. Floating Fern is native to the subtropical and tropical New World, the Indian Subcontinent, central and eastern China, and Vietnam. Floating Fern is also known as Water Fern.
Floating Fern displays a fern-like, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Floating Fern produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Floating Fern?
Ceratopteris pteridoides requires watering every 3–4 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 3–4 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Floating Fern Need?
Floating Fern thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Floating Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Floating Fern Prefer?
Ceratopteris pteridoides grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Floating Fern prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Floating Fern?
Rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Floating Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Floating Fern?
Feed Floating 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 Floating 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 Floating Fern?
Floating Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to student fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Floating Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Floating 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 Floating Fern?
Floating Fern is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Floating Fern Need?
Floating Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Floating Fern is native to the subtropical and tropical New World, the Indian Subcontinent, central and eastern China, and Vietnam. In cooler regions, grow Floating Fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Floating 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 Ceratopteris genus — compare its care with other Ceratopteris species on PlantoScan.
Ceratopteris is part of the Pteridaceae plant family — browse all Pteridaceae genera and species.
Floating Fern thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ceratopteris pteridoides (Hook.) Hieron., family Pteridaceae (first published in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 34: 561 (1905)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Floating 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 13b, 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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