Austral Filmy Fern Plant Care
Hymenophyllum australe Willd.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hymenophyllum australe, commonly known as austral filmy fern, is a relatively large rupestral and epiphytic fern, indigenous to eastern Australia and New Zealand. It belongs to the unique Hymenophyllum genus, which are characterised by their thin membranous fronds that are seldom more than one cell thick, with the exception of regions over and around veins.
Low to medium indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Austral Filmy Fern?
Austral Filmy Fern grows best in low to medium indirect light.
Where Is the Austral Filmy Fern Native To?
What Is the Austral Filmy Fern?
Austral Filmy Fern (Hymenophyllum australe) belongs to the Hymenophyllaceae family within the Hymenophyllum genus. Austral Filmy Fern is native to eastern Australia and New Zealand.
Austral Filmy Fern displays a compact, creeping fern growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Austral Filmy Fern produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Austral Filmy Fern Need?
Austral Filmy Fern thrives in low to medium indirect light. Avoid placing Austral Filmy Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Low to medium indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Austral Filmy Fern?
Loose, well-draining soil mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Austral Filmy Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Austral Filmy 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 Austral Filmy Fern?
Austral Filmy Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to kidney fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Austral Filmy Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Austral Filmy 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 Austral Filmy Fern?
Austral Filmy Fern 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.
Keep exploring plants
Austral Filmy 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 Hymenophyllum genus — compare its care with other Hymenophyllum species on PlantoScan.
Hymenophyllum is part of the Hymenophyllaceae plant family — browse all Hymenophyllaceae genera and species.
Austral Filmy Fern copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Hymenophyllum Species
Other Hymenophyllum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hymenophyllum australe Willd., family Hymenophyllaceae — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Austral Filmy 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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