Tangle Fern Plant Care
Gleichenia polypodioides (L.) Sm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Gleichenia polypodioides (L.) Sm., commonly known as coral fern, kystervaring or ystervaring due to its glabrous, brown, wiry stipes. The species is widespread in south- and east tropical Africa, southern Africa and the western Indian Ocean region.
Filtered sunlight
At a glance
How do you care for Tangle Fern?
Tangle Fern grows best in filtered sunlight.
What Is the Tangle Fern?
Tangle Fern (Gleichenia polypodioides) belongs to the Gleicheniaceae family within the Gleichenia genus. Tangle Fern is also known as Coral Fern.
Tangle Fern displays a spreading, creeping fern growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Tangle Fern produces non-flowering.
What Light Does the Tangle Fern Need?
Tangle Fern thrives in filtered sunlight. Avoid placing Tangle Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Filtered sunlight
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tangle Fern?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Tangle Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Tangle 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 Tangle Fern?
Tangle Fern can be propagated through spores.
Is the Tangle Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tangle 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 Tangle Fern?
Tangle Fern 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.
Keep exploring plants
Tangle 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 Gleichenia genus (family Gleicheniaceae) — search all Gleichenia species in the plant lookup.
Tangle Fern produces blooms — browse other flowering plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Gleichenia polypodioides (L.) Sm., family Gleicheniaceae (first published in Mém. Acad. Roy. Sci. (Turin) 5: 419 (1793)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tangle 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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