Photo: MikeCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Standley's Cloak Fern Plant Care
Notholaena standleyi Maxon
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Notholaena standleyi, also known as star cloak fern and Standley's cloak fern, is a fern that is native to the United States and Mexico. It is a member of the genus Notholaena, which is part of the subfamily Cheilanthoideae of family Pteridaceae. It is distinguished by the pentagonal shape formed by the blades of its frond, a property other members of Notholaena do not possess.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Standley's Cloak Fern?
Water Standley's Cloak Fern every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Standley's Cloak Fern Native To?
What Is the Standley's Cloak Fern?
Standley's Cloak Fern (Notholaena standleyi) belongs to the Pteridaceae family within the Notholaena genus. Standley's Cloak Fern is native to the United States and Mexico. Standley's Cloak Fern is also known as Chrysochosma standleyi, Cheilanthes standleyi, Notholaena hookeri.
Standley's Cloak Fern displays a low rosette, spreading fern growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Standley's Cloak Fern produces non-flowering fern.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Standley's Cloak Fern?
Notholaena standleyi requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Standley's Cloak Fern Need?
Standley's Cloak Fern thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Standley's Cloak 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 Standley's Cloak Fern Prefer?
Notholaena standleyi grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Standley's Cloak Fern 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 Standley's Cloak Fern?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Standley's Cloak Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Standley's Cloak Fern?
Feed Standley's Cloak Fern every 8 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 8 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 Standley's Cloak 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 Standley's Cloak Fern?
Standley's Cloak Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes.
Is the Standley's Cloak Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Standley's Cloak 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 Standley's Cloak Fern?
Standley's Cloak 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 Standley's Cloak Fern Need?
Standley's Cloak Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Standley's Cloak Fern is native to the United States and Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Standley's Cloak Fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Standley's Cloak 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 Notholaena genus — compare its care with other Notholaena species on PlantoScan.
Notholaena is part of the Pteridaceae plant family — browse all Pteridaceae genera and species.
Standley's Cloak 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: Notholaena standleyi Maxon, family Pteridaceae (first published in Amer. Fern J. 5: 1 (1915)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Standley's Cloak 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: Mike, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Standley's Cloak Fern Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species