Contractile Filmy Fern Plant Care
Hymenophyllum contractile Sodiro
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hymenophyllum contractile is a species of fern in the family Hymenophyllaceae. It is endemic to Ecuador.
Low to medium indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Contractile Filmy Fern?
Contractile Filmy Fern grows best in low to medium indirect light.
Where Is the Contractile Filmy Fern Native To?
What Is the Contractile Filmy Fern?
Contractile Filmy Fern (Hymenophyllum contractile) belongs to the Hymenophyllaceae family within the Hymenophyllum genus. Contractile Filmy Fern is native to Ecuador.
Contractile Filmy Fern displays a compact, creeping fern growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Contractile Filmy Fern produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers.
What Light Does the Contractile Filmy Fern Need?
Contractile Filmy Fern thrives in low to medium indirect light. Avoid placing Contractile 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 Contractile Filmy Fern?
Loose, well-draining soil mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Contractile Filmy Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Contractile 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 Contractile Filmy Fern?
Contractile 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 Contractile Filmy Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Contractile 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 Contractile Filmy Fern?
Contractile 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
Contractile 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.
Contractile 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 contractile Sodiro, family Hymenophyllaceae (first published in Anales Univ. Centr. Ecuador 6(45): 151. 1892 [Apr 1892] ; & Sodiro, Crypt. Vasc. Quitenses, 22. 1893) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Contractile 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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