Hemionitis gracillima Plant Care

Hemionitis gracillima (D.C.Eaton) Christenh.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Myriopteris gracillima, formerly known as Cheilanthes gracillima, is a species of lip fern known by the common name lace lip fern. It is native to western North America, where it grows in rocky habitat from British Columbia to California to Montana.

🌿Ferns
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect to low light

Temp

60–75°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Hemionitis gracillima?

Water Hemionitis gracillima every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. 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 Hemionitis gracillima Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Hemionitis gracillima?

Hemionitis gracillima (Hemionitis gracillima) belongs to the Pteridaceae family within the Hemionitis genus. Hemionitis gracillima is native to western North America.

Hemionitis gracillima displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Hemionitis gracillima produces non-flowering.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Hemionitis gracillima?

Hemionitis gracillima requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Hemionitis gracillima Need?

Hemionitis gracillima thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Hemionitis gracillima 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 Hemionitis gracillima Prefer?

Hemionitis gracillima grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Hemionitis gracillima 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 Hemionitis gracillima?

Well-draining, humus-rich soil with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Hemionitis gracillima to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Hemionitis gracillima?

Feed Hemionitis gracillima 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 Hemionitis gracillima?

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 Hemionitis gracillima?

Hemionitis gracillima can be propagated through division of rhizomes, spores. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hemionitis rotundifolia plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Hemionitis gracillima Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Hemionitis gracillima, 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 Hemionitis gracillima?

Hemionitis gracillima is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs. 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 Hemionitis gracillima Need?

Hemionitis gracillima grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Hemionitis gracillima is native to western North America. In cooler regions, grow Hemionitis gracillima as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Hemionitis gracillima 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 Hemionitis genus — compare its care with other Hemionitis species on PlantoScan.

Hemionitis is part of the Pteridaceae plant family — browse all Pteridaceae genera and species.

Hemionitis gracillima copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.

More Hemionitis Species

Other Hemionitis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Hemionitis gracillima (D.C.Eaton) Christenh., family Pteridaceae (first published in Global Fl. 4: 14. 2018 [9 Feb 2018] [epublished]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hemionitis gracillima, 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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