Heracleum Fern Plant Care
Drynaria heracleum T.Moore
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Drynaria heracleum is one of the basket ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, native to the East Indies and Malay Peninsula. Its common name is paku suloh.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to low light
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Heracleum Fern?
Water Heracleum Fern every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Heracleum Fern?
Heracleum Fern (Drynaria heracleum) belongs to the Polypodiaceae family within the Drynaria genus. Heracleum Fern is native to the East Indies and Malay Peninsula. Heracleum Fern is also known as Heracleum.
Heracleum Fern displays an epiphytic, spreading fern growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Heracleum Fern produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Heracleum Fern?
Drynaria heracleum 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 Heracleum Fern Need?
Heracleum Fern thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Heracleum Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Heracleum Fern Prefer?
Drynaria heracleum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Heracleum Fern prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Heracleum Fern?
Well-draining, acidic soil mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Heracleum Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Heracleum Fern?
Feed Heracleum 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 Heracleum Fern?
Repot every 2-3 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 Heracleum Fern?
Heracleum Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to drynaria bonii plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Heracleum Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Heracleum 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 Heracleum Fern?
Heracleum 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 Heracleum Fern Need?
Heracleum Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Heracleum Fern is native to the East Indies and Malay Peninsula. In cooler regions, grow Heracleum Fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Heracleum 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 Drynaria genus — compare its care with other Drynaria species on PlantoScan.
Drynaria is part of the Polypodiaceae plant family — browse all Polypodiaceae genera and species.
Heracleum Fern copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Drynaria Species
Other Drynaria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Drynaria heracleum T.Moore, family Polypodiaceae (first published in Index Fil. : 346 (1862)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Heracleum 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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