Lygodium flexuosum Plant Care
Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lygodium flexuosum, also known as the flexuose climbing fern, is a rhizomatous perennial climbing fern native to tropical and subtropical Asia and northern Australia. It produces thin, wiry fronds that twine and climb, arising from horizontal rhizomes and stolons on or beneath the ground.
Every 5–7 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Lygodium flexuosum?
Water Lygodium flexuosum 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 Lygodium flexuosum Native To?
What Is the Lygodium flexuosum?
Lygodium flexuosum (Lygodium flexuosum) belongs to the Lygodiaceae family within the Lygodium genus. Lygodium flexuosum is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and northern Australia.
Lygodium flexuosum displays a vining, climbing fern growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Lygodium flexuosum produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lygodium flexuosum?
Lygodium flexuosum 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 Lygodium flexuosum Need?
Lygodium flexuosum thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Lygodium flexuosum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lygodium flexuosum Prefer?
Lygodium flexuosum grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Lygodium flexuosum 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 Lygodium flexuosum?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Lygodium flexuosum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lygodium flexuosum?
Feed Lygodium flexuosum 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 Lygodium flexuosum?
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 Lygodium flexuosum?
Lygodium flexuosum can be propagated through spores. Similar propagation techniques also apply to climbing fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lygodium flexuosum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Lygodium flexuosum, 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 Lygodium flexuosum?
Lygodium flexuosum 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 Lygodium flexuosum Need?
Lygodium flexuosum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Lygodium flexuosum is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and northern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Lygodium flexuosum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Lygodium flexuosum 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.
Lygodium flexuosum 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 flexuosum (L.) Sw., family Lygodiaceae (first published in J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 106. 1801 , (pt.)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lygodium flexuosum, 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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