Photo: Letizia WeichgrebeCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Maxonia apiifolia Plant Care
Maxonia apiifolia (Sw.) C.Chr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its striking variegated leaves with bold splashes of white and green. Originating from Southeast Asia, Maxonia apiifolia is highly coveted by plant collectors for its unique and eye-catching foliage, making it a standout addition to any indoor plant collection.
Every 5–7 days
Filtered or indirect light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Maxonia apiifolia?
Water Maxonia apiifolia every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it filtered or indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Maxonia apiifolia?
Maxonia apiifolia (Maxonia apiifolia) belongs to the Dryopteridaceae family within the Maxonia genus. Maxonia apiifolia is native to Cuba and Jamaica.
Maxonia apiifolia displays a low rosette, spreading fern growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Maxonia apiifolia produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Maxonia apiifolia?
Maxonia apiifolia 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 Maxonia apiifolia Need?
Maxonia apiifolia thrives in filtered or indirect light. Avoid placing Maxonia apiifolia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Filtered or indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Maxonia apiifolia Prefer?
Maxonia apiifolia grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Maxonia apiifolia 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 Maxonia apiifolia?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Maxonia apiifolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Maxonia apiifolia?
Feed Maxonia apiifolia 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 Maxonia apiifolia?
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 Maxonia apiifolia?
Maxonia apiifolia can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes.
Is the Maxonia apiifolia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Maxonia apiifolia, 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 Maxonia apiifolia?
Maxonia apiifolia 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 Maxonia apiifolia Need?
Maxonia apiifolia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Maxonia apiifolia is native to Cuba and Jamaica. In cooler regions, grow Maxonia apiifolia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Maxonia apiifolia 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 Maxonia genus — compare its care with other Maxonia species on PlantoScan.
Maxonia is part of the Dryopteridaceae plant family — browse all Dryopteridaceae genera and species.
Maxonia apiifolia 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: Maxonia apiifolia (Sw.) C.Chr., family Dryopteridaceae (first published in Smithsonian Misc. Collect. 66(9): 3. 1916 [30 Sep 1916]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Maxonia apiifolia, 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.
- Photo: Letizia Weichgrebe, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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