Dennstaedtia davallioides Plant Care

Dennstaedtia davallioides (R.Br.) Moore

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Dennstaedtia davallioides, commonly known as the lacy ground fern, is a species of fern native to eastern Australia, from the Bunya Mountains in central Queensland south through eastern New South Wales, and into Victoria southwest to the Otway Ranges.

🌿Ferns
Water

Every 3–5 days

Light

Filtered sunlight to partial shade

Temp

60–75°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Dennstaedtia davallioides?

Water Dennstaedtia davallioides every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it filtered sunlight to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Dennstaedtia davallioides Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Dennstaedtia davallioides?

Dennstaedtia davallioides (Dennstaedtia davallioides) belongs to the Dennstaedtiaceae family within the Dennstaedtia genus. Dennstaedtia davallioides is native to eastern Australia, from the Bunya Mountains in central Queensland south through eastern New South Wales, and into Victoria southwest to the Otway Ranges.

Dennstaedtia davallioides displays a fern with spreading rhizomes growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Dennstaedtia davallioides produces non-flowering.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Dennstaedtia davallioides?

Dennstaedtia davallioides requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Dennstaedtia davallioides Need?

Dennstaedtia davallioides thrives in filtered sunlight to partial shade. Avoid placing Dennstaedtia davallioides in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Filtered sunlight to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Dennstaedtia davallioides Prefer?

Dennstaedtia davallioides grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Dennstaedtia davallioides 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 Dennstaedtia davallioides?

Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Dennstaedtia davallioides to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Dennstaedtia davallioides?

Feed Dennstaedtia davallioides 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 Dennstaedtia davallioides?

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 Dennstaedtia davallioides?

Dennstaedtia davallioides can be propagated through spores. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hay-scented fern plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Dennstaedtia davallioides Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Dennstaedtia davallioides, 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 Dennstaedtia davallioides?

Dennstaedtia davallioides is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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 Dennstaedtia davallioides Need?

Dennstaedtia davallioides grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Dennstaedtia davallioides is native to eastern Australia, from the Bunya Mountains in central Queensland south through eastern New South Wales, and into Victoria southwest to the Otway Ranges. In cooler regions, grow Dennstaedtia davallioides as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Dennstaedtia davallioides 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 Dennstaedtia genus — compare its care with other Dennstaedtia species on PlantoScan.

Dennstaedtia is part of the Dennstaedtiaceae plant family — browse all Dennstaedtiaceae genera and species.

Dennstaedtia davallioides produces blooms — browse other flowering plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Dennstaedtia davallioides (R.Br.) Moore, family Dennstaedtiaceae (first published in Parker's Cat. 1858 ; & Ind. 305. 1861. Chr. 312. NPfl. 218) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Dennstaedtia davallioides, 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 13a, 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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