Photo: Chantelle JEA BCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Austral Filmy Fern Plant Care
Mecodium australe (Willd.) Copel.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Mecodium australe is a unique plant known for its striking variegated leaves that feature a mix of green and white colors. Originating from Australia, this plant is popular among enthusiasts for its eye-catching foliage and easy care requirements.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Austral Filmy Fern?
Water Austral Filmy Fern every 7–14 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 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Austral Filmy Fern Native To?
What Is the Austral Filmy Fern?
Austral Filmy Fern (Mecodium australe) belongs to the Hymenophyllaceae family within the Mecodium genus. Austral Filmy Fern is native to eastern Australia and New Zealand. Austral Filmy Fern is also known as Sphaerocionium australe, Mecodium australe, Hymenophyllum daedaleum.
Austral Filmy Fern displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Austral Filmy Fern produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Austral Filmy Fern?
Mecodium australe requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Austral Filmy Fern Need?
Austral Filmy Fern thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Austral Filmy 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 Austral Filmy Fern Prefer?
Mecodium australe grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Austral Filmy 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 Austral Filmy Fern?
Well-draining, moisture-retentive 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 Often Should You Fertilize a Austral Filmy Fern?
Feed Austral Filmy Fern every 2 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 2 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 Austral Filmy Fern?
Repot every 1-2 years in early 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.
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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Austral Filmy Fern Need?
Austral Filmy Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11a. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Austral Filmy Fern is native to eastern Australia and New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Austral Filmy Fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a – 11a
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 Mecodium genus (family Hymenophyllaceae) — search all Mecodium species in the plant lookup.
Austral Filmy 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: Mecodium australe (Willd.) Copel., family Hymenophyllaceae (first published in Philipp. J. Sci. 67: 24 (1938)) — 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.
- Photo: Chantelle JEA B, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9a – 11a, 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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