Rabbit's Foot Fern Plant Care
Davallia mariesii H.J.Veitch
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Davallia mariesii, the squirrel's foot fern, is a species of epiphytic fern native to Japan and eastern Asia. It is deciduous, growing to 15 cm (6 in), with rhizomes covered in brown scales and finely-dissected, flat, triangular fronds.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Rabbit's Foot Fern?
Rabbit's Foot Fern grows best in bright indirect light.
Where Is the Rabbit's Foot Fern Native To?
What Is the Rabbit's Foot Fern?
Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia mariesii) belongs to the Polypodiaceae family within the Davallia genus. Rabbit's Foot Fern is native to Japan and eastern Asia. Rabbit's Foot Fern is also known as Rabbit Foot Fern.
Rabbit's Foot Fern displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Rabbit's Foot Fern produces non-flowering.
What Light Does the Rabbit's Foot Fern Need?
Rabbit's Foot Fern thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Rabbit's Foot 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 Rabbit's Foot Fern?
Well-draining, rich potting mix with added peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Rabbit's Foot Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Rabbit's Foot 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 Rabbit's Foot Fern?
Rabbit's Foot 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 Rabbit's Foot Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Rabbit's Foot 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 Rabbit's Foot Fern?
Rabbit's Foot 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
Rabbit's Foot 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 Polypodiaceae plant family — browse all Polypodiaceae genera and species.
Rabbit's Foot 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 mariesii H.J.Veitch, family Polypodiaceae (first published in Cat. Pl. : 21 (1880)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Rabbit's Foot 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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