Photo: chiuluanCC BY 4.0Image: PlantoScanresized / cropped
Kangaroo Fern Plant Care
Phymatosorus scolopendria (Burm.f.) Pic.Serm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Microsorum scolopendria, synonym Phymatosorus scolopendria, commonly called monarch fern, musk fern, maile-scented fern, breadfruit fern, or wart fern is a species of fern within the family Polypodiaceae. This fern grows in the wild in the Western Pacific rim from Australia to New Caledonia to Fiji and throughout the South Pacific to French Polynesia.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to low light
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Kangaroo Fern?
Water Kangaroo Fern every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Kangaroo Fern?
Kangaroo Fern (Phymatosorus scolopendria) belongs to the Polypodiaceae family within the Phymatosorus genus. Kangaroo Fern is also known as Staghorn Fern, Maori Potato, Taraku.
Kangaroo Fern displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Kangaroo Fern produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Kangaroo Fern?
Phymatosorus scolopendria 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 Kangaroo Fern Need?
Kangaroo Fern thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Kangaroo Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Kangaroo Fern Prefer?
Phymatosorus scolopendria grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Kangaroo Fern prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Kangaroo Fern?
Loose, well-draining potting mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Kangaroo Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Kangaroo Fern?
Feed Kangaroo 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 Kangaroo 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 Kangaroo Fern?
Kangaroo Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes.
Is the Kangaroo Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Kangaroo 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 Kangaroo Fern?
Kangaroo 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 Kangaroo Fern Need?
Kangaroo Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Kangaroo Fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Kangaroo 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 Phymatosorus genus (family Polypodiaceae) — search all Phymatosorus species in the plant lookup.
Kangaroo Fern copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Phymatosorus scolopendria (Burm.f.) Pic.Serm., family Polypodiaceae (first published in Webbia 28: 460 (1973)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Kangaroo 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: chiuluan, CC BY 4.0, PlantoScan.
- 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
Kangaroo 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