Japanese painted fern Plant Care
Deparia acrostichoides (Sw.) M.Kato
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Deparia acrostichoides, commonly called silvery glade fern or silvery spleenwort, is a perennial species of fern. Its range includes much of the eastern United States and Canada, from Ontario to Nova Scotia and Georgia to Louisiana, as well as eastern Asia in China, Russia, Japan and Korea.
Every 3–5 days
Filtered sunlight or partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Japanese painted fern?
Water Japanese painted fern every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it filtered sunlight or 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.
What Is the Japanese painted fern?
Japanese painted fern (Deparia acrostichoides) belongs to the Athyriaceae family within the Deparia genus. Japanese painted fern is also known as Asian painted fern, Silvery spleenwort.
Japanese painted fern displays a fern with spreading, arching fronds growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Japanese painted fern produces non-flowering plant.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Japanese painted fern?
Deparia acrostichoides 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 Japanese painted fern Need?
Japanese painted fern thrives in filtered sunlight or partial shade. Avoid placing Japanese painted fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Filtered sunlight or partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Japanese painted fern Prefer?
Deparia acrostichoides grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Japanese painted 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 Japanese painted fern?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter like peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Japanese painted fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Japanese painted fern?
Feed Japanese painted fern 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 Japanese painted 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 Japanese painted fern?
Japanese painted fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes.
Is the Japanese painted fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Japanese painted 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 Japanese painted fern?
Japanese painted fern is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, 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 Japanese painted fern Need?
Japanese painted fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Japanese painted fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Japanese painted 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 Deparia genus — compare its care with other Deparia species on PlantoScan.
Deparia is part of the Athyriaceae plant family — browse all Athyriaceae genera and species.
Japanese painted fern produces blooms — browse other flowering plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Deparia acrostichoides (Sw.) M.Kato, family Athyriaceae (first published in Ann. Carnegie Mus. 49: 177. 1980) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Japanese painted 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.
- 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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