Photo: 呂一起(Lyu yi-chi)CC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Rabbit's Foot Fern Plant Care
Davallia trichomanoides Blume
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Davallia trichomanoides, also known as the Hare's Foot Fern, is characterized by its unique furry rhizomes that resemble a hare's foot. This plant is native to tropical regions in Asia and Africa and is popular among plant enthusiasts for its unusual appearance and low maintenance requirements.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Rabbit's Foot Fern?
Water Rabbit's Foot Fern every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Rabbit's Foot Fern Native To?
What Is the Rabbit's Foot Fern?
Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia trichomanoides) belongs to the Polypodiaceae family within the Davallia genus. Rabbit's Foot Fern is native to tropical Asia. Rabbit's Foot Fern is also known as Squirrel's Foot Fern, Hares Foot Fern.
Rabbit's Foot Fern displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Rabbit's Foot Fern produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Rabbit's Foot Fern?
Davallia trichomanoides requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
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 Temperature and Humidity Does the Rabbit's Foot Fern Prefer?
Davallia trichomanoides grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Rabbit's Foot 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 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 Often Should You Fertilize a Rabbit's Foot Fern?
Feed Rabbit's Foot Fern every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Rabbit's Foot Fern Need?
Rabbit's Foot Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Rabbit's Foot Fern is native to tropical Asia. In cooler regions, grow Rabbit's Foot Fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a – 11b
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 trichomanoides Blume, family Polypodiaceae — 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.
- Photo: 呂一起(Lyu yi-chi), 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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