Japanese climbing fern Plant Care
Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lygodium japonicum is a species of fern that is known by the common names Japanese climbing fern and vine-like fern. It is native to eastern Asia, from Pakistan through India east to Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and south through southeastern Asia to New Guinea.
Every 5–7 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Japanese climbing fern?
Water Japanese climbing fern every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Japanese climbing fern Native To?
What Is the Japanese climbing fern?
Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum) belongs to the Lygodiaceae family within the Lygodium genus. Japanese climbing fern is native to eastern Asia, from Pakistan through India east to Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and south through southeastern Asia to New Guinea. Japanese climbing fern is also known as Climbing fern, Vine fern.
Japanese climbing fern displays a vining, climbing fern growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Japanese climbing fern produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Japanese climbing fern?
Lygodium japonicum requires watering every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Japanese climbing fern Need?
Japanese climbing fern thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Japanese climbing fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Japanese climbing fern Prefer?
Lygodium japonicum grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Japanese climbing fern prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Japanese climbing fern?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Japanese climbing fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Japanese climbing fern?
Feed Japanese climbing 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 Japanese climbing fern?
Repot every 1-2 years. 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 Japanese climbing fern?
Japanese climbing fern can be propagated through spores. Similar propagation techniques also apply to climbing fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Japanese climbing fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Japanese climbing 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 Japanese climbing fern?
Japanese climbing 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 Japanese climbing fern Need?
Japanese climbing fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Japanese climbing fern is native to eastern Asia, from Pakistan through India east to Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and south through southeastern Asia to New Guinea. In cooler regions, grow Japanese climbing fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Japanese climbing 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 Lygodium genus — compare its care with other Lygodium species on PlantoScan.
Lygodium is part of the Lygodiaceae plant family — browse all Lygodiaceae genera and species.
Japanese climbing fern thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw., family Lygodiaceae (first published in J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 106. 1801) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Japanese climbing 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 13b, 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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