Canary Island Fern Plant Care
Davallia canariensis (L.) Sm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Davallia canariensis, the hare's-foot fern, is a species of fern in the family Davalliaceae. It is endemic to Macaronesia and the Iberian Peninsula.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Canary Island Fern?
Canary Island Fern grows best in bright indirect light.
What Is the Canary Island Fern?
Canary Island Fern (Davallia canariensis) belongs to the Davalliaceae family within the Davallia genus. Canary Island Fern is native to Macaronesia and the Iberian Peninsula. Canary Island Fern is also known as Rabbit's Foot Fern.
Canary Island Fern displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Canary Island Fern produces non-flowering.
What Light Does the Canary Island Fern Need?
Canary Island Fern thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Canary Island Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Canary Island Fern?
Well-draining, rich potting mix with added peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Canary Island Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Canary Island 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 Canary Island Fern?
Canary Island Fern can be propagated through division of rhizomes, spores. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bullata davallia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Canary Island Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Canary Island 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 Canary Island Fern?
Canary Island Fern is susceptible to spider mites, 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.
Keep exploring plants
Canary Island 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 Davallia genus — compare its care with other Davallia species on PlantoScan.
Davallia is part of the Davalliaceae plant family — browse all Davalliaceae genera and species.
Canary Island 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: Davallia canariensis (L.) Sm., family Davalliaceae (first published in Mém. Acad. Roy. Sci. (Turin) 5. 414, t.9, f.6. 1793 ; & HB. 97. Chr. 301. NPfl. 214) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Canary Island 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.
- 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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