Photo: Brandon CorderCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Ctenitis sloanei Plant Care
Ctenitis sloanei (Poepp.) C.V.Morton
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ctenitis sloanei is a species of wood fern native to USA (Florida), Bermuda, Cuba, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and northwestern South America. Although it does not belong to the order Cyatheales, it is still considered by some to be a type of tree fern.
Every 4–7 days
Filtered light, avoid direct sun
60–75°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Ctenitis sloanei?
Water Ctenitis sloanei every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it filtered light, avoid direct sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Ctenitis sloanei Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Ctenitis sloanei?
Ctenitis sloanei (Ctenitis sloanei) belongs to the Dryopteridaceae family within the Ctenitis genus. Ctenitis sloanei is native to USA (Florida), Bermuda, Cuba, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and northwestern South America.
Ctenitis sloanei displays a low rosette, spreading fern growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Ctenitis sloanei produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Ctenitis sloanei?
Ctenitis sloanei requires watering every 4–7 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 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Ctenitis sloanei Need?
Ctenitis sloanei thrives in filtered light, avoid direct sun.
Light Requirement
Filtered light, avoid direct sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ctenitis sloanei Prefer?
Ctenitis sloanei grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Ctenitis sloanei prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ctenitis sloanei?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Ctenitis sloanei to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Ctenitis sloanei?
Feed Ctenitis sloanei 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 Ctenitis sloanei?
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 Ctenitis sloanei?
Ctenitis sloanei can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ctenitis squamigera plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Ctenitis sloanei Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Ctenitis sloanei, 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 Ctenitis sloanei?
Ctenitis sloanei is susceptible to spider mites, 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 Ctenitis sloanei Need?
Ctenitis sloanei grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Ctenitis sloanei is native to USA (Florida), Bermuda, Cuba, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and northwestern South America. In cooler regions, grow Ctenitis sloanei as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Ctenitis sloanei 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 Ctenitis genus — compare its care with other Ctenitis species on PlantoScan.
Ctenitis is part of the Dryopteridaceae plant family — browse all Dryopteridaceae genera and species.
Ctenitis sloanei 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: Ctenitis sloanei (Poepp.) C.V.Morton, family Dryopteridaceae (first published in Amer. Fern J. 59(2): 66. 1969 [21 Jul 1969]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ctenitis sloanei, 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.
- Photo: Brandon Corder, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 11b, 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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